site.btaParliament Adopts on First Reading Social Services Bill

January 18 (BTA) - Parliament adopted on first reading a
Social Services Bill on Friday. The vote was 163-0 with no
abstentions.

The law settles the provision, access, planning, funding,
quality, control and monitoring of social services in Bulgaria.
A national map of social services will be drawn to help plan
social services funded from the central budget.

Under the act, an agency for assessment of social services will
be set up under the Labour and Social Policy Minister.

Local authorities will be able to contract private providers of
social services.

Retired persons or people with disabilities will be provided
with carers for the first time.

The bill will amend and supplement another 26 laws. Some of the
changes relate to commitments to close children's homes and
homes for people with disabilities. RY/PP

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