End of dry outings from Child Welfare at the age of 18, ban on the reception of minors at the hotel … The Senate adopted on the night of Wednesday to Thursday, December 16, at first reading, a child protection bill, paving the way for its final adoption in early 2022.
The deputies, who adopted the text at first reading in July, and the senators will meet on January 11 to try to find an agreement on a common version of the text in a joint committee.
In the chamber of the Senate dominated by the right-wing opposition, several provisions of the text, carried by the Secretary of State for Children Adrien Taquet, have been expanded or clarified.
Regarding young adults, the Senate voted a government amendment providing for support “systematic” young people between the ages of 18 and 21 who have received social assistance for children (ASE). The senators have also explicitly enshrined the principle of a “right of return” to the ASE up to the age of 21.
From “advanced” greeted by the collective of associations for the protection of children Cause Majeur !, even if the latter promises that it “will remain very vigilant as to the conditions of real applications”.
Another flagship measure, the ban on the accommodation of protected minors in hotels. Senators have planned a total ban, with government backing. It would be applicable within two years.
Among the other major provisions: the fact that the possibility of entrusting the child to a member of his family or a “trusted third party” and the principle of providing for the care of siblings in the same place of reception.
Also included in this bill is the reinforced control of the judicial records of child protection workers, particularly in matters of sexual offenses, and the upgrading of the remuneration of the 40,000 family assistants who take in children in care.
The Senate again approved government amendments to include “the principle of systematic hearing” by the judge of the minor. And so that “either systematically offered to each young person the benefit of a sponsorship” by volunteers as well as“a mentor” upon entering college.