South Africa: Call for comment on Children’s Amendment Bill
On 23 September 2022, the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Select Committee on Health and Social Services issued a call for comment on the Children’s Amendment Bill. This follows the passing of the Bill by the National Assembly on 7 September 2022.
The Bill has undergone substantial changes since its introduction to the National Assembly in August 2020. The Bill initially provided for, among other things, children’s right to privacy and protection of information, the rights of unmarried fathers, medical testing of children in need of care and protection or adoption, the rules relating to care and protection proceedings and the designation and functions for a Registrar of the National Child Protection Register.
The notably shorter Bill presently before the NCOP deals with certain definitional changes, the children’s court jurisdiction, the care of abandoned or orphaned children, and additional matters relating to children in alternative care.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, 7 October 2022.
Comments can be emailed to Ms M Williams at [email protected].
Enquiries can be directed to Ms M Williams on 083 709 8451.
Please note: The information contained in this note is for general guidance on matters of interest and does not constitute legal advice. For any enquiries, please contact us at [email protected].
