King Oscar was different from his father the French general. He had not taken part in any war albeit achieving a military education amongst other arts during his travels through Europe. And it was through his travels that he had seen many things that affected him greatly and made him care for social issues that plagued society. Suppose that the turmoil in Europe had imprinted something inside him. One of the first major reforms he had completed was that of folkskolan that had begun during his father’s last years of reign, but Oscar I strived to reach out to those in need as well. He wanted to dictate a law that would regulate and organize relief for the poor.

It was planned that the board of directors in each parish would take care of both the school and poor relief. One major change however was the board would no longer be headed by the church, although, a seat would be reserved for the vicars/priests still. It was said that schools and poor relief was a secular problem and the church could help but not act on the practical aspects.

The law and regulation would be formulated and reviewed in 1846 and enacted in 1847.

The new regulation law would be outlined like the following,

Article I

It was mandatory to contribute to the parish poor fund. This collection could be done through taxation and church collection where a certain amount would be placed monthly into the fund.

Article II

Paupers restrictions of movement between parishes was lifted, however, parishes were still allowed to inspect those wanting to move into the parish and could deny them. The paupers that had been assigned to a rote would not be allowed to travel outside said area.

IIa: Child paupers are forbidden from moving freely between parishes.

Article III

The board of directors held the rights to determine who was in need of poor benefit and was to organize a place for the pauper to stay in a poor house, or if the parish did not have a poor house, pay the benefit to a willing parishioner who would act as a host.

IIIa: Paupers were to be divided into two classes. First class, are those who are unable to care for themselves like old people, orphans, and the physically or mentally disabled. These were to be placed in poor houses, orphanages or hospitals. Second class, are those who will be supported by poor relief temporarily so they later can return to society.

IIIb: In accordance to the old traditional system, a parishioner host has the legal right to demand the poor benefactors to work for them. The paupers are allowed to file complaints of abuse to the board of directors.

IIIb-i: If the paupers have been abused the host shall pay a fine ranging between 5-30 riksdaler depending on the severity of the abuse. This fee would then be used to help pay the poor relief.

IIIc: The poor was to be attributed a fattigbricka (poor badge) of wood to sign their status as a pauper. Engraved on the badge on one side would be their name and date of birth and other the other side which rote (group of ca. 6 farms) the person belonged to and was cared for by.

IIId: Each pauper granted poor relief would be granted said relief for a duration of one year. After the time period has expired, they should appear to the board of directors to be evaluated if they are liable for another year of poor relief.

Article IV

The poor benefit by law demanded that reasonable economic support must cover the purchase of food, clothing, housing, medical care and funeral in the case of a death.