Education and Science, Estonia, Legislation, Society

During the proceedings, the bill was supplemented, for example, with a sentence that emphasizes the importance of the family in the development and growth of the child. Also a provision was added that allows the local government to temporarily remove a child from the family, in case of danger, for up to 72 hours instead of the current 48. In practice, in such cases, within three working days an application to the court is submitted to separate the child from family.

The Social Insurance Board will develop a Child Protection Unit, where child protection workers can ask for help, for example, for solving difficult cases or legal advice.

Opposition's Centre Party MP Mailis Reps pointed out that that there are still a number of problems that this law will not solve. Most important, notification. "Child protection workers are very worried that they do not get information fast enough about a child in trouble. Neither physicians, for example, schools or child institutions have the obligation to inform," she said.

Secondly, she pointed out that even if the child protection gets information about a child in distress, the law does not stipulate obligatory cooperation of the family with child protection officials to solve the problems.

The new Child Protection Act aims to create a society valuing a child and an environment benefiting the child's development.

The law will enter into force on 1 January 2016. Provision 19, which provides requirements for child protection worker's education and preparation, is scheduled to take effect on 1 January 2020.