The two major articles of child welfare legislation in Finland are the Child Welfare Act of 1983 and the Child Custody and Right of Access Act of 1983. These new acts are part of a reform of social legislation and services providing increased flexibility and effectiveness in protecting Finnish children's health and happiness. The Acts attach special attention to improving conditions under which the child grows up. Their effects extend to schools, the health services, building and housing, the family, and the culture at large. Chapters of the Child Welfare Act concern general provisions, development of the nurturing, or "growing," environment and assistance in child upbringing, principles and modes of family-oriented and individual child welfare, assistance in "open care," taking a child into care, provision of substitute care and after-care, provision of foster care, appeals, miscellaneous provisions, and entry of the Act into force. Chapters of the Child Custody and Right of Access Act deal with general provisions, custodians and the right of access, judicial proceedings, and miscellaneous provisions. (RH)