Law No. 434-VI “On social services”.

This Law determines the legal, organizational and economic the basis for the provision of social services to certain categories of persons. Social service shall be intended a set of measures and actions taken to meet the individual needs of certain categories of persons, with the purpose of improving their living conditions and (or) expanding their opportunities to independently provide their basic individual needs, as well as to overcome a difficult life situation. User of social services shall be intended a person who is recognized as needing the provision of social services and to whom social services are provided. Social service providers shall be intended social service institutions, and also other legal entities, regardless of the form of ownership and (or) individual entrepreneurs providing social services. This Law applies to citizens of Turkmenistan, foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in territory of Turkmenistan, refugees, as well as legal entities regardless of the form of ownership and individual entrepreneurs, operating in the field of social services. The goals of social services are: (a) promotion of equal opportunities for all members of society, aimed at strengthening social cohesion and preventing social isolation; (b) assistance to lead a decent, safe and creative life, equal participation in the public life of the state; (c) assistance to persons in overcoming difficult life situations, which they are unable to resolve with their own resources and available opportunities; (d) forecasting and prevention of the occurrence of difficult life situations; and (e) intensification of their own efforts of individuals and families, creating conditions for problem solving on their own. The main principles in the field of social services are: (a) ensuring equal opportunities for the use of social services; (b) targeting; (c) availability and accessibility; (c) voluntariness; (d) observance of the rights of users of social services; (e) provision of social services taking into account individual needs of users of social services; and (f) confidentiality. The state guarantees to individuals, families, groups of persons recognized as persons in need of social services, the possibility of using social services based on an assessment of individual needs for overcoming difficult life situations. Grounds for recognizing a person in need of social services are: (a) disability; (b) old age; (c) the consequences of an industrial injury and occupational disease; (d) loss of a breadwinner, loneliness, orphanhood, homelessness and neglect; (e) lack of a fixed place of residence; (f) forced change of the country of permanent residence; (g) victim of human trafficking; (h) consequences of violence or situations associated with a risk to life; (i) family trouble; and (j) other difficult life situations. Social services can be provided on temporary or permanent basis. This Law contains VI Chapters divided into 25 Articles. Chapter I lays down general provisions. Chapter II regards state regulation and control in the field of social services. Chapter III establishes state guarantees in the field of social services. Chapter IV regards the particulars of the provision of social services. Chapter V establishes rights and obligations of users of social services and employees of the providers of social services. Chapter VI lays down final provisions.