Vidhi Codex

THE GOA CHILDREN’S ACT, 2003

The Goa Children's Act, 2003

General200341 sections

This Act establishes a legal framework to safeguard the welfare of children in the state of Goa. It applies to all individuals under eighteen years of age, with specific protections for those under sixteen in cases of sexual offenses. The law defines various categories of vulnerable children, including those in need of care, child laborers, and victims of abuse. By setting out clear definitions for care, custody, and protection, the legislation aims to create a society that is proud to be child-friendly and ensures that the best interests of the child are prioritized in all legal and social contexts.

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  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
  3. 2. Definitions.
  4. 3. Rights of the Child.
  5. 4. Education.
  6. 5. Health & Nutrition.
  7. 6. Children’s Homes.
  8. 7. *[Child Labour and trafficking].
  9. 8. Child Abuse “[and trafficking.
  10. 9. “[Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Dedication]
  11. 10. Children in Difficult Circumstances.
  12. 11. Girl Child.
  13. 12. Differently Abled Children.
  14. 13. Other Provisions.
  15. 14. *[Violation, Contravention] and Penalties.
  16. 15. Powers of the [Competent Authority, Director and Special Officer.
  17. 16. Court.
  18. 17. Competent Authority’s , Director’s and Special Officer’s| powers in case of default
  19. 18. "[Appeals
  20. 19. Method of serving notices.
  21. 21. Compounding of offences.— (1) Any offence punishable with fine only under this
  22. 22. Power to police officers to arrest offenders against Act, etc.
  23. 22A. Compulsion to appear as witness.
  24. 23. Powers of the Special Officer to arrest offender against Act, etc.
  25. 24. Procedure after arrest.
  26. 25. Punishment for malicious abuse of powers.
  27. 26. Delegation of powers.— The Government may, by notification in the Official
  28. 27. Children’s Court.
  29. 28. Composition of the Children’s Court
  30. 29. Term of Office.
  31. 30. Jurisdiction of the Children’s Court.
  32. 31. Powers of the Children’s Court.
  33. 32. Procedure of the Children’s Court.
  34. 34. Exclusion.
  35. 35. Act to override" [State Laws.
  36. 36. Duty of Government to ensure effective implementation of the Act.
  37. 37. Powers to make rules.
  38. 38. Power to remove difficulties.
  39. 39. Jurisdiction of Civil Courts barred.
  40. 40. Protection of action taken in good faith.
  41. 41. Bar of suits and prosecutions.

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