News item | 03-20-2026 | 4:45 PM
As of April 1, 2026, the State Commission will start government intervention in families where there is child abuse and/or development threats. The state commission will advise the government on when the government should intervene and be involved, when the government may intervene, but also when the government may not intervene and what conditions and (legal) protection apply to these families. The committee also examines whether alternative forms of involvement or intervention by the government are possible.
In addition to the state commission, the government, municipalities, professionals and providers are working to improve youth care with the Youth Reform Agenda and the Child and Family Protection Future Scenario. The State Commission is invited to provide support in its advice to the ongoing developments within the Future Scenario for Child and Family Protection.
Reason for the state commission
The report of the Committee on Benefits and Out-of-Home Placements showed that the unjustified recoveries from the benefits affair played a major role in the problems of the families and therefore also in the out-of-home placements of the children. During the debate on this report, the House of Representatives submitted a motion asking the government to set up a state commission. The government is implementing this motion with the start of this state committee.
There is also increasing legal and scientific criticism of the way in which the government intervenes in families where there is insecurity and/or a threat to the development of children. Particularly if insufficient appropriate protection and assistance can subsequently be provided. The impact of government intervention on a family can be very great, which is why it is good to look at this carefully and critically.
Composition and method
The committee consists of the chairman, Mrs. MI (Mariëtte) Hamer, from six members nominated from an administrative, ethical, scientific, legal and youth domain perspective;
- Mr. Mr. E. (Eddie) Bongers
- Mrs. MTM (Marcelle) Hendrickx
- Mr. Dr. H. (Hafez) Ismaïli M’hamdi
- Mrs. Prof. Dr. MJ (Majone) Steketee
- Mr. mr. BR (Bart) Tromp
- Mr. Prof. MJW (Mark) van Twist
The committee draws on knowledge and experiences from practice. She does this by talking to professionals, parents and young people who have had to deal with interventions in the family. In addition to partial reports, the state commission will publish its final report before April 1, 2028.
