Regn of Child Care Institutions conflicting with law now mandatory under JJ Act, 2015

Minster for Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi has informed that the Government of India has recently enacted the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which has come into effect from 15th January, 2016 repealing the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. This Act is to be implemented by State Government/ UT Administrations. Under Section 41 of the new Act, registration of institutions including Homes for children in conflict with law has been made mandatory with penalty in case of non-compliance. Section 53 of the Act provides for several rehabilitation and re-integration services in institutions such as education, vocational training, mental health interventions, counseling, etc. Under Section 8 of the Act, the Juvenile Justice Board is required to conduct at least one inspection visit every month of residential facilities for children in conflict with law and recommend action for improvement in quality of services to the District Child Protection Unit and the State Government. Under Section 54, the State Governments are required to appoint inspection Committees for the State and district for mandatory inspection of all facilities housing children, at least once in three months.