Parents that do not look after children could be fined or arrested

The parents that do not appropriately fulfill their parental rights to raise, maintain and educate their children could be fined 100 to 400 lei after the new Contravention Code takes effect on May 31, 2009, Info-Prim Neo reports. The parents whose children roam the streets, beg or commit socially dangerous acts are liable to larger fines – of 300 to 500 lei or community service of up to 40 hours. Also, the persons that groundlessly hinder one or both of the parents, grandparents, brothers or sisters from communicating with the children or participating in their education will be fined 200 to 400 lei. The persons that do not inform the tutelage authorities about a danger to the children’s health and life or about the violation of their legal rights and interests will be fined 100 to 200 lei. The persons holding responsible positions in treatment, education, social assistance and other similar institutions that will not inform, within three days, about children that remained without parental care and can be put up for adoption or put under tutelage (guardianship) to be looked after and educated will be liable to fine of 400 to 1,000 lei. At the same time, the persons holding important positions at maternity wards, treatment or prophylaxis institutions that will provide false information about the children that remained without parental care will be fined 1,000 to 2,000 lei. The Contravention Code provides for penalties for the persons and economic entities that engage minors in works that are banned by law. The private individuals are liable to 600 to 800 lei, while the legal entities – to 2.000 to 3,000 lei. In both cases, the culprits will be deprived of the right to carry out certain activities for a period of three months to one year. The persons that will make a minor drunk by giving them alcoholic drinks or other substances will be fined 400 to 800 lei. If these are the parents or the child, persons that replace them or persons to whom the child was entrusted, the fine will be 800 to 1,200 lei. The individuals that will sell cigarettes and alcoholic beverages to minors will be fined 1,200 to 2,000 lei, while the legal entities – 2,000 to 4,000 lei and deprived of the right to carry out certain activities for a period of three months to one year. The culprit can pay half of the fine if the fine is paid within 72 hours of the moment it is imposed. If the individual did not pay the fine during 30 days, the court can replace the penalty with double fine, community service or arrest and deprive the person of the right to carry out certain activities for a period of six months to one year. If the legal entity did not willingly and fully pay the fine within 30 days, they will be deprived of the right to carry out certain activities for a period of six months to one year.