The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has come into force from today. It has replaced the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. <br/><br/>The Juvenile Justice Bill passed by Lok Sabha on 7th May, 2015 was approved by the Rajya Sabha on 22nd of last month. <br/> <br/>The Act provides for strengthened provisions for both children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law. <br/><br/>One key provision in the Act is change in nomenclature from 'juvenile' to 'child' or 'child in conflict with law', to remove the negative connotation associated with the word "juvenile". <br/><br/>Other important provisions include several new definitions such as orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children, clarity in powers, function and responsibilities of Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee and clear timelines for inquiry by Juvenile Justice Board. <br/><br/>Special provisions have been made for heinous offences committed by children above the age of sixteen year.<br/> <br/>The Juvenile Justice Board is given the option to transfer cases of heinous offences by such children to a Children's Court after conducting preliminary assessment. <br/><br/>Several new offences committed against children, which are so far not adequately covered under any other law, are included in the Act. These include sale and procurement of children for any purpose including illegal adoption, corporal punishment in child care institutions, and use of child by militant groups. <br/><br/>All child care institutions are to be mandatory registered under the Act within 6 months from the date of commencement of the Act.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has come into force from today. It has replaced the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. <br/><br/>The Juvenile Justice Bill passed by Lok Sabha on 7th May, 2015 was approved by the Rajya Sabha on 22nd of last month. <br/> <br/>The Act provides for strengthened provisions for both children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law. <br/><br/>One key provision in the Act is change in nomenclature from 'juvenile' to 'child' or 'child in conflict with law', to remove the negative connotation associated with the word "juvenile". <br/><br/>Other important provisions include several new definitions such as orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children, clarity in powers, function and responsibilities of Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee and clear timelines for inquiry by Juvenile Justice Board. <br/><br/>Special provisions have been made for heinous offences committed by children above the age of sixteen year. <br/>The Juvenile Justice Board is given the option to transfer cases of heinous offences by such children to a Children's Court after conducting preliminary assessment. <br/><br/>Several new offences committed against children, which are so far not adequately covered under any other law, are included in the Act. These include sale and procurement of children for any purpose including illegal adoption, corporal punishment in child care institutions, and use of child by militant groups. <br/><br/>All child care institutions are to be mandatory registered under the Act within 6 months from the date of commencement of the Act.

The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 has come into force from today. It has replaced the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. <br/><br/>The Juvenile Justice Bill passed by Lok Sabha on 7th May, 2015 was approved by the Rajya Sabha on 22nd of last month. <br/>The Act provides for strengthened provisions for both children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with law. <br/><br/>One key provision in the Act is change in nomenclature from 'juvenile' to 'child' or 'child in conflict with law', to remove the negative connotation associated with the word "juvenile". <br/><br/>Other important provisions include several new definitions such as orphaned, abandoned and surrendered children, clarity in powers, function and responsibilities of Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee and clear timelines for inquiry by Juvenile Justice Board. <br/><br/>Special provisions have been made for heinous offences committed by children above the age of sixteen year. <br/>The Juvenile Justice Board is given the option to transfer cases of heinous offences by such children to a Children's Court after conducting preliminary assessment. <br/><br/>Several new offences committed against children, which are so far not adequately covered under any other law, are included in the Act. These include sale and procurement of children for any purpose including illegal adoption, corporal punishment in child care institutions, and use of child by militant groups. <br/><br/>All child care institutions are to be mandatory registered under the Act within 6 months from the date of commencement of the Act.