The Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 12, 2014 by the Ministery of Women and Child Development. The Bill was referred to the Standing Committee of Human Resource Development on September 22, 2014. The Committee submitted its report on February 25, 2015.
Amended Provisions:-
- The Bill replaces the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. It addresses children in conflict with law and children in need of care and protection.
- The Bill laid down the sanction for juveniles between the ages of 16-18 years to be tried as adults for heinous offences/crimes. Also, any 16-18 year old, who commits a lesser, i.e., serious offence may be tried as an adult only if he is apprehended after the age of 21 years.
- Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) and Child Welfare Committees (CWC) will be constituted in each district. The JJB will conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether a juvenile offender is to be sent for rehabilitation or be tried as an adult. The CWC will determine institutional care for children in need of care and protection.
- Eligibility of adoptive parents and the procedure for adoption have been included in the Bill.
- Penalties for cruelty against a child, offering a narcotic substance to a child, and abduction or selling a child have been prescribed.
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