Parents face fines if they refuse social services interventions for at-risk children

The Swedish government has proposed new legislation allowing social services to impose mandatory measures on families with children at risk of criminal involvement, including fines for parents who refuse to comply, SVT Nyheter reports.

Under the draft law, social welfare committees would gain the power to issue binding directives for children and adolescents, such as mandatory drug testing or curfews requiring them to remain at home during specified hours. To enforce compliance, authorities are also preparing a separate proposal for electronic monitoring of minors using ankle bracelets.

If families fail to follow these directives, parents could face financial penalties. The proposal, known as the “intermediate coercion law,” aims to prevent youth crime by intervening before criminal activity occurs.

However, the National Board of Health and Welfare has criticised the plan, arguing that electronic surveillance is an overly intrusive measure for young people who have not been suspected or convicted of any crime. The agency also warns that compulsory interventions could undermine cooperation between families and social services.

The government has submitted the proposal for review by the Council on Legislation, the next step in the legislative process.