Obligation of the Canton of Origin to Cover Costs for Placement of a Minor Outside the Family

Facts

[M.], who was domiciled in X./ZH, was born in 1991 and had been living with his parents in Y./TG since January 1, 2002. On January 28, 2007, he was placed in a socio-educational group home in Z./SG due to a difficult situation at home. The Canton of Thurgau informed the Canton of Zurich that it would be liable for the costs for a period of two years as M.'s canton of origin. The Administrative Court of the Canton of Thurgau dismissed the appeal filed by the Canton of Zurich against this decision.

Considerations

The Federal Supreme Court held that with the out-of-home placement, [M.] had established his own domicile for the purpose of social assistance under Art. 7 para. 3 lit. c ZUG and had permanently left the Canton of Thurgau. According to Art. 8 lit. c ZUG, the previous duration of residence is not taken into account when a minor child establishes…