Bill removes segregation of mentally ill, drug-addicted juveniles

This Bill amends the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 to remove provisions that required the separate treatment or segregation of children suffering from specific diseases (such as leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases, Hepatitis B, or Tuberculosis) or mental illness. It replaces these rules with a provision allowing the transfer of mentally ill or drug-addicted children to psychiatric hospitals or rehabilitation centers for treatment.

Juveniles and children kept in special homes, observation homes, children's homes, shelter homes, or institutions under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, specifically those identified as mentally ill or addicted to alcohol or drugs.

• Omits sub-section (2) of section 48 of the principal Act, which previously mandated separate handling of children with leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases, Hepatitis B, open Tuberculosis, or unsound minds.
• Substitutes section 58 of the principal Act to allow competent authorities to order the removal of mentally ill or drug-addicted children to psychiatric hospitals or nursing homes under the Mental Health Act, 1987.
• Allows competent authorities to order the removal of such children to Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts or similar state-maintained centers for in-patient treatment, based on discharge advice from psychiatric facilities.
• Defines terms such as 'Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts,' 'mentally ill person,' and 'psychiatric hospital' by referencing the Mental Health Act, 1987 and specific government schemes.

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