2 Private Law - Civil Procedure - Execution - 21 Supplementary and Executory Provisions of the Civil Code - 213 Family Law

[5] 1 The Adult and Youth Protection Service (AYPS) ensures the protection of children, adolescents, and adults in difficulty.

2. Furthermore, it is

a) the supervisory authority provided for by the Ordinance on the Intermediary Activity for Adoption, dated March 28, 1973 [6];

b) the competent authority for issuing permits and exercising supervision as defined in the Ordinance Governing the Placement of Children, dated October 19, 1977 [7];

c) the liaison body with other cantons and the Confederation for institutions recognized by the Intercantonal Agreement on Social Institutions (IASI).

[8] 1 The Adult and Youth Protection Service falls under the Department of Health, Youth, and Sports.

2. It has offices in Neuchâtel and La Chaux-de-Fonds.

[9] 1 The Adult and Youth Protection Service is tasked with

1. protecting minors in difficulty or danger;

2. reporting cases of minors or adults requiring intervention to the competent authorities;

3. conducting investigations ordered by the courts and guardianship authorities;

4. executing the tasks entrusted to it by the Council of State, the courts, and guardianship authorities;

5. collaborating with authorities, administrative services, schools, institutions, and individuals involved with minors or adults in difficulty, coordinating and encouraging their efforts, proposing measures to be taken, and implementing them if necessary;

6. providing individuals who contact it with the requested information, advice, and support;

7. monitoring, in cooperation with the competent cantonal and municipal administrative services, individuals and establishments that, although not recognized under the legislation on specialized institutions for children, adolescents, adults with disabilities, and drug addicts, are involved in the care of children, adolescents, or adults for profit or on a voluntary basis;

8. coordinating, at the cantonal level, efforts for the prevention and fight against drug addiction, as well as in the prevention of sexual offenses;

9. studying and suggesting preventive measures;

10. planning, monitoring, and subsidizing specialized education institutions (hereinafter: SEI);

11. ensuring that minor children requiring care outside the family home and residing in the canton receive appropriate accommodation in an SEI or foster family that meets their needs, even if located outside the canton.

2. It performs other tasks entrusted to it by the law and its implementing provisions.

[10] The Child and Youth Protection Service shall, when necessary, take urgent measures to ensure the protection of children and adolescents.

[11] Administrative and educational authorities are required to assist the service for adult and youth protection.

Protection of Children Placed Outside the Family Home is Regulated by the Implementation Order of the Federal Decree Governing the Placement of Children, of October 28, 1987 [12].

Regulation on the Service of Minors and Guardianships, of December 13, 1993 [13], is repealed.

1. This regulation shall enter into force on January 1, 2001.

2. It shall be published in the Official Gazette and inserted into the Neuchâtel Legislation Compendium.