Government backs fines for unauthorised social service providers

The Lithuanian government has proposed administrative penalties for providing social care, social supervision or respite services without the legal right to do so, LRT reported.

Parliament approved the initial consideration of amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences in June. The proposed changes would establish liability for individuals who provide social care, social supervision or respite services without meeting accreditation requirements.

At present, liability applies only to managers or other responsible persons of legal entities providing social care services.

The government approved a conclusion prepared by the Ministry of Social Security and Labour, broadly supporting the amendments. It proposed that Parliament also introduce administrative liability for providing social supervision or respite services without authorisation to provide accredited services.

The amendments would provide for fines ranging from 640 to 2,800 euros for individuals, managers of legal entities and other responsible persons.

The amendments were initiated after cases were identified in which social services were provided unlawfully, without the required permits or in breach of quality, safety and other requirements. According to the initiators, such practices threaten the rights and well-being of socially vulnerable service users.