http://www.sofiaecho.com/art.php?id=9399&catid=5

Adoption law changes

Staff Reporter


PARLIAMENT has approved the first reading of amendments to the Child Protection
Act regulating adoptions and the placing of children in foster families.

The amendments were tabled by National Movement Simeon II (NMSII) MP Maria
Angelieva. They followed a veto of earlier such legislation by President Georgi
Purvanov.

Purvanov's veto was prompted by a clause in the Family Code approved by
Parliament, that excluded adoption as a measure for protection of a child.

The new amendments to the Child Protection Act provide for a set of protection
measures including co-operation, support and services in family environment,
placing in a family of relatives or friends, adoption or placement with a
foster family.

Other measures include police protection, placing in a special institution,
special protection in public places, legal advice and help, preventative
measures for child protection and safety, information on the rights and duties
of children and parents, and special care for children with physical and mental
disabilities.

The criteria and standards for social services for children and the application
of co-operation measures, support, placing in a family of relatives and foster
parents or in specialist institutions will be set out in a Government
regulation based on proposals by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy.



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A good friend will come and bail you out of jail . . . but, a true friend will
be sitting next to you saying, "Damn . . . that was fun!"
-----Unknown