Cabinet approved on Monday a series of new bills designed to increase protections for children, young people and older persons.
The Ministry for Social Development, in a press release Monday announcing the bills, said the protection and rights of older people would be boosted by the Older Persons (Amendment) Bill, which was designed to strengthen the role of the Council for Older People. The legislation would also create a department responsible for obtaining intervention orders to help seniors if needed, and new rules to crack down on elder abuse or neglect.
Minister for Social Development André Ebanks said in the release, “By modernising our social development legislative framework that guards many of the most vulnerable, we demonstrate our commitment to protecting the vulnerable while building a future where every person, regardless of age, can thrive with dignity and respect.”
Cabinet also approved the Children (Amendment) Bill and the Adoption Bill.
The first was drawn up to update the child protection law, including an expansion of mandatory reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect, to allow for faster intervention if children are at risk.
The bill also gives more weight to the views of children in decisions that affect their lives.
Proposed legislation on the payment of child maintenance was also created, which will integrate legal provisions for payment into the Children (Amendment) Bill.
The Maintenance (Amendment) Bill, if passed by Parliament, will boost “the legal tools available to ensure parents meet their obligations, simplifying the process for both families and the legal system”, the ministry said.
The Adoption Bill was designed to be a “long overdue, major overhaul of the Cayman Islands’ adoption framework”.
The ministry said the bill was created after consultation in 2023 and 2024 with interested parties, including focus groups and non-government organisations and government agencies.
It added, “The Bill modernises the adoption process, ensuring that it is more accessible and transparent.
“It incorporates safeguards and provisions to address and streamline various types of adoptions, both domestic and internationally, with a focus on the best interests of the child at every stage.”
The public can register their opinions on the proposed changes during the public consultation period, which runs until 25 Nov.
For information on how to comment on the bills, visit publicconsultation.gov.ky.
Related Videos
