1990 BILL Second Session, 22nd Legislature, 39 Elizabeth II THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ALBERTA BILL 207 CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ACT MS. MJOLSNESS First Reading Second Reading Committee of the Whole Third Reading Royal Assent Bill 207 Ms. Mjolsness BILL 207 1990 CHILDREN'S RIGHTS ACT (Assented to , 1990)

Definitions Application Children's rights HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as foUows: 1 In this Act, (a) "chUd" means an individual under the age of 18 years; (b) "parent" means the parent or guardian of a child. 2 The rights set forth in this Act apply to every child. 3 Nothing in this Act shaU limit the responsibUities, rights, and duties of parents to provide appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights recognized in this Act. 4 Every chUd has (

a) the right to be free of poverty and the right to food, clothing, housing, and a standard of living that encourages the chUd's development; (

b) the right to a home, including but not Umited to (

i) the right to parental and adult support, guidance and continuity in the child's life, (ii) the right to reside with parents and siblings except when k is in the best interests of the child to reside elsewhere, (Ui) the right to be consulted in decisions related to 1 guardianship, custody, or a determmation of status, and (iv) the right to independent adult counseUing and legal assistance in relation to aU decisions affecting guardianship, custody, or a determination of status; (

c) the right to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health through universal access to proper nutrition, health care cmd health education, including but not Umited to (

i) preventative and rehabUitative care for victims of chUd neglect and abuse, and (ii) special care for mentaUy or physically handicapped chUdren so that they can lead the fullest possible life in their communities; (

d) the right to learn in an environment which respects human rights and dignity, and helps the child to develop his or her fuU potential through (

i) free and compulsory primary education, (ii) equal access to higher education, (iii) access to educational and vocational information and guidance, and (iv) adequate time for leisure and recreation; (

e) the right to a safe physical environment, free from harmful poUutants or other hazards; (

f) the right to be protected from abuse in any form, including (

i) physical, mental or sexual abuse, (ii) chUd prostitution or pornography, (Ui) involvement in narcotic production or trafficking, (iv) abduction or sale, (

v) neglect, and (vi) mvolvement in armed conflict; (

g) the right to be protected from economic exploitation in 2 any form by the provision by government of (

i) a minimum age of employment, (

u) appropriate regulation of the hours and conditions of employment, and (iU) appropriate penalties to ensure the effective enforcement of this right; (

h) the right to freedom of expression induding the right to seek, receive, and impart information of aU kinds; (

i) the right to privacy at home, in the famUy, and in correspondence; (

j) the right to justice and proper treatment when accused of a crime, including but not Umited to (

i) freedom from arbitrary or uniawfui detention, and (

U) the right to prompt access to legal and other appropriate assistance; (

k) the right to universal and quaUty government services including but not Umited to 24-hour acccss to crisis intervention and professional assistance; (1) the right to be informed of these rights through appropriate and active means; Binds Crown Proclamation (

m) the right to enjoy these rights free from discrimination in any form. 5 The Crown is bound by this Act, uniess

an Act of the Legislature expressly declares that it operates notwithstanding the Children's Rights Act. 6 This Act comes into effect upon proclamation. Title: 1990 (22nd 2nd) Bill 207, Children's Rights Act