The bill to amend the Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 was introduced in the Lok Sabha Tuesday. These are the proposed changes to the bill:
* The age of juvenile who has been accused of crimes such as rape and murder has been lowered to 16 from 18 years.
* Juvenile Justice Board to decide whether a minor will be tried in a regular court or sent to a correctional centre.
* The convicted juveniles may face a jail term but will not be awarded life sentence or death penalty.
* Clarity in the role and procedures of statutory structures such as Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards.
* Offences such as corporal punishment, ragging and using a child for vending, peddling, carrying, supplying or smuggling any intoxicating liquor, narcotic drug added.
* Faster adoption and setting up of foster care homes.
* Strengthening measures for adoption, including providing statutory status to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).
