This law is enacted to promote the healthy physical and mental development of children and youth, safeguard their rights, and enhance their welfare.
For the purposes of this law, 'children and youth' refers to individuals under the age of eighteen; 'children' refers to those under twelve years old; 'youth' refers to those aged twelve and above but under eighteen.
Parents or guardians have the responsibility to protect and nurture children and youth. They should cooperate with measures taken by the competent authorities or welfare organizations for children and youth as stipulated by this law.
The government and public and private institutions and organizations should assist the parents and guardians of children and youth, and other caregivers, in maintaining the health of children and youth, promoting their healthy development, and providing necessary services and measures for those who require protection, assistance, guidance, treatment, early intervention, rehabilitation for disabilities, and other special assistance.
When dealing with matters related to children and youth, the government and public and private institutions and organizations should prioritize the best interests of children and youth, considering their maturity level in weighing their opinions; protection and assistance should be prioritized.
When the rights of children and youth are unlawfully infringed upon, the government should provide appropriate assistance and protection.
The term 'competent authority' in this law refers to the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the central level, and the municipal government at the level of special municipalities; at the county or city level, it refers to the respective county or city government.
Regarding the matters stipulated in this law, the competent authorities and relevant authorities should, within the scope of their responsibilities, respect cultural diversity and actively plan welfare services for children and youth according to their needs, cooperating fully with relevant agencies.
Competent authorities and relevant authorities should also implement safety measures for children and youth and accident prevention measures, with responsibilities divided as follows:
- 1. Competent authorities: Responsible for planning, promoting, and supervising policies related to children and youth welfare.
- 2. Health authorities: Responsible for maternal and child health, reproductive health care, early identification and treatment of premature infants, and related matters.
- 3. Education authorities: Responsible for education funding for children and youth, special education, pre-school education, safety education, family education, career education, leisure education, gender equality education, social education, and maintaining the educational rights of children and youth.
- 4. Labor authorities: Responsible for labor conditions for individuals under the age of fifteen and vocational training, employment preparation, and labor condition maintenance for youth over the age of fifteen or graduates of junior high school.
- 5. Construction, engineering, and fire safety authorities: Responsible for building management related to the welfare and rights of children and youth, including public facilities, public safety, and play equipment.
- 6. Police authorities: Responsible for maintaining the personal safety of children and youth and preventing legal violations.
- 7. Justice authorities: Responsible for preventing legal violations by children and youth, correction, and protecting crime victims.
- 8. Transportation authorities: Responsible for transportation safety for children and youth.
- 9. Communication and broadcasting authorities: Responsible for maintaining the audiovisual rights of children and youth and planning and promoting content ratings.
- 10. Household registration authorities: Responsible for identity and household registration matters related to children and youth.
- 11. Financial authorities: Responsible for tax exemptions for welfare organizations for children and youth.
- 12. Financial institutions: Responsible for planning, promoting, and supervising trust services for children and youth.
- 13. Economic authorities: Responsible for establishing standards for goods related to children and youth and non-mechanical play facilities.
- 14. Sports authorities: Responsible for sports activities for children and youth.
- 15. Cultural authorities: Responsible for cultural activities for children and youth and maintaining their audiovisual rights.
- 16. Other welfare measures for children and youth shall be handled by the relevant authorities.
The following matters shall be handled by the central competent authority. However, if they involve the duties of the central relevant authority, the latter shall handle them according to law:
- 1. Planning, defining, and promoting national welfare policies, regulations, and programs for children and youth.
- 2. Supervision and coordination of the implementation of children and youth welfare by municipal and county (city) governments.
- 3. Allocation and subsidy matters for central children and youth welfare funds.
- 4. Planning for the development and evaluation of children and youth welfare businesses.
- 5. Planning for the training of professionals in children and youth welfare.
- 6. International liaison, exchange, and cooperation in children and youth welfare matters.
- 7. Planning for child and youth protection businesses.
- 8. Establishment, supervision, and guidance of national or central children's welfare institutions.
- 9. Other national planning and supervision matters regarding children and youth welfare.
The following matters shall be handled by the competent authority of the municipality or county (city). However, if they involve the duties of local relevant authorities, the latter shall handle them according to law:
- 1. Planning, defining, promoting, and implementing local children and youth welfare policies, self-governed regulations, and programs.
- 2. Implementation of central children and youth welfare policies, regulations, and programs.
- 3. Execution of training for professionals in children and youth welfare.
- 4. Execution of child and youth protection services.
- 5. Establishment, supervision, and guidance of local children's welfare institutions.
- 6. Other local planning and implementation matters regarding children and youth welfare.
The government should take appropriate measures to prevent any infringement of the rights of children and youth.
The government should establish and maintain a child and youth protection mechanism that includes a complaint mechanism, counseling, and intervention services, ensuring that children and youth who have experienced violence or abuse are protected.
The competent authority should create public awareness campaigns to educate the public about child and youth welfare and rights protection.
Anyone who is aware of any act of violence, abuse, or neglect of a child or youth should report it to the competent authority or relevant organizations.
The government should provide necessary services and measures for children and youth who are victims of abuse or neglect, and for their families.
The government should establish a system to provide assistance to families experiencing difficulty in raising children and youth, including economic and psychological support, and educational guidance.
The government should establish mechanisms for identifying children and youth who are at risk of abuse or neglect, conducting assessments, and providing timely interventions.
Welfare services for children and youth should be provided based on their needs, and the government should allocate resources accordingly.
The government should promote the establishment of community welfare services for children and youth, encouraging public and private participation.
The government should support and promote the establishment of various educational services for children and youth, including pre-school education, after-school care, and extracurricular activities.
Welfare services for children and youth should be designed to respect their rights and dignity, ensuring their active participation in the planning and implementation of such services.
The government should take necessary measures to prevent discrimination against children and youth in accessing welfare services.
The government should establish mechanisms to monitor and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of welfare services for children and youth.
The government should provide adequate training and support for professionals working in children and youth welfare services.
The government should take special protective measures for children and youth who are in vulnerable situations, including those in poverty, those with disabilities, those experiencing family instability, and those who have been victims of violence.
The government should provide necessary services and support for children and youth in institutions, including educational, psychological, and health services.
The government should ensure that children and youth in institutions have access to family visits, and maintain contact with their families.
The government should take necessary measures to facilitate the reintegration of children and youth who have been in institutions back into society.
The government should establish a system for the protection of children and youth in conflict with the law, ensuring that their rights are respected during the judicial process.
The government should establish a monitoring and evaluation system for the implementation of this law and relevant policies and programs, regularly assessing their effectiveness and impact on children and youth.
The government should publish annual reports on the status of children and youth welfare and rights protection, providing information to the public and relevant stakeholders.
This law shall come into force on the date of its promulgation.