Taipei: Amendments to Taiwan’s Child and Juvenile Welfare and Rights Protection Act will introduce a “Working with Children Check” for individuals working with under 18s, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Social and Family Affairs Administration (SFAA) said Tuesday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the check, which takes reference from systems used in Australia, will require those who work closely with people under the age of 18-including volunteers, camp instructors, and private tutors-to undergo background screening to ensure they do not have records of sexual offenses or child abuse. This initiative is informed by a petition on the National Development Council’s public policy participation platform, which played a part in shaping the amendment.
SFAA Director Chou Tao-chun informed media reporters that the agency is contemplating how to integrate the new system with existing regulations that govern individuals barred from working with children. A public hearing is scheduled for mid-May to gather further input.
The amendments mark the first major revision of the law in 15 years, according to the draft explanation. Chou noted that the changes were prompted by recent cases, including the high-profile “Kai Kai” case, where a 1-year-old boy died after being abused by a foster caregiver. While administrative measures have already been adjusted in response, the amendments aim to codify clearer responsibilities for local authorities in adoption procedures.
The draft also introduces more detailed regulations for alternative care, clarifying caregiver qualifications and disqualifications, and defining the roles of emerging care models. In addition, the amendments reference the Convention on the Rights of the Child, explicitly defining forms of abuse such as physical violence, psychological abuse, neglect, and sexual misconduct. This provides clearer legal grounds for future investigations and enforcement.
Deputy Health Minister Lue Jen-der stated that the amendments address international review recommendations while also tackling emerging risks stemming from changes in family structures and the digital environment. He emphasized that the revisions are intended to strengthen the broader social safety net through improved regulation.
Lue added that the ministry will continue engaging with the public and aims to finalize the amendments by balancing practical feasibility with social consensus, while keeping the best interests of children as the top priority.