site.btaGovernment Criminalizes Operation of Unlicenced Care Homes

Under legislative amendments, adopted by the government on Wednesday, individuals who provide care services without a licence and are caught reoffending within one year after being fined may face up to 5 years’ imprisonment and a fine of between BGN 1,000 and BGN 5,000.

In cases where a legal entity has profited from such unlicensed activity, it may be subject to a property sanction of BGN 100,000.

These changes increase administrative fines for violations of standards in the provision of social services or integrated health-social residential care services, as well as services offering shelter and assistant support.

Also, managers of care homes who fail to comply with service quality standards, thus endangering the life or health of elderly residents, may face up to 3 years’ imprisonment or probation.