The Child Development Agency (CDA) and the Technical Advisory Committee invite members of the public to give their views on the proposed revisions to the Adoption (Children Of) Act 1958. This invitation to comment precedes two public consultations beginning in Kingston next week.
Two documents which encapsulate the recommended changes are now posted on the CDA website at www.cda.gov.jm/other-documents. The documents are titled – A Policy to Amend the Adoption (Children, of) Act and Regional Consultations on the Revisions of the Adoption Act.
CEO of the CDA Rosalee Gage-Grey said she is pleased with the broad-based stakeholder consultations, and the wide views from both adults and children which have been taken into consideration in formulating the draft documents.
She encouraged members of the larger population to give their comments and to contribute to the revision of the legislation which will enhance the welfare of Jamaica’s children.
Director of Policy, Planning and Evaluation Newton Douglas explained that the suggested changes to the Adoption Act as outlined in the document covers areas such as the institutional framework for adoption; the regulatory framework for de facto and inter-family adoptions, and updating family and gender rights considerations.
Other areas include the regulatory framework for international adoptions, and privacy and information rights following adoption, Mr. Douglas further noted.
Members of the Technical Advisory Committee have been guiding the process to review the legislation which is being carried out by Pivot Consulting Limited.
In addition to the Ministry of Youth and Culture and the CDA, other members of the Technical Advisory Committee include the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education; the Planning Institute of Jamaica; UNICEF; the Adoption Board; Registrar General’s Department; Hear the Children Cry; Office of the Children’s Advocate, Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Justice, and the CDA Advisory Board.
Written responses can be submitted to info@cda.gov.jm or by faxing it to 876-924-9401, preferably by April 24, 2014.
The public consultations are scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 23, in Kingston, and Friday, April 28 in Runaway Bay.
-30-
Contact: CDA PR Unit
Prudence Barnes/Jeneva Gordon
Tel: 967-5905
Email: barnesp@cda.gov.jm
Twitter: @cda.jm
Facebook: www.facebook.com
Website: www.cda.gov.jm