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The Guardianship of Minors (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 (Commencement) Notice (the commencement notice) was published in the Gazette today (February 17).
Enacted on January 11, 2012, the Guardianship of Minors (Amendment) Ordinance 2012 seeks to implement recommendations in the Report on Guardianship of Children by the Law Reform Commission of Hong Kong (LRC).
"The amended provisions have further improved the legal arrangements relating to the appointment, removal and powers of guardians under the Guardianship of Minors Ordinance. These assist parents in making guardianship arrangements for their children in the event of their deaths, thereby contributing to the best interests of children," a spokesman for the Labour and Welfare Bureau said.
Amendments include simplifying the procedures for appointing guardians and revoking guardian appointments and stating clearly when guardian appointments take effect.
To bring the amendments into operation, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare made the commencement notice to appoint April 13, 2012, as the commencement date of the Ordinance.
"Following the commencement of the Ordinance, the Labour and Welfare Bureau will introduce a standard appointment form to assist parents and guardians in appointing guardians, as recommended in the LRC Report," the spokesman said.
The commencement notice will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on February 22, 2012.
Ends/Friday, February 17, 2012
Issued at HKT 10:43
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