Cap. 495 Art. 3Establishment of the Adoption Board.

(1) There shall be a Board, known as the Adoption Board, which shall be composed of a Chairperson and a minimum of another four members. This Board shall be composed of the following:

(a) professionals representing different disciplines; and

(b) a person who, in the opinion of the Minister, has adequate knowledge and is proficient in the area of adoption.

(2) The Minister shall endeavour to have a person over the age of eighteen years who is adopted and a person who is or was an adoptive parent as part of the Adoption Board, and such persons may be appointed at any time during the term of office of the Adoption Board.

(3) A person shall not be qualified to be appointed or continue to hold office as a member of the Adoption Board if that person is a Judge, a Magistrate, a member of the House or of a Local Council, or a candidate for election to the House or a Local Council.

(4) The members of the Adoption Board shall be appointed by the Minister for a minimum period of two years.

(5) Any member of the Adoption Board may be removed from office by the Minister on grounds of inability to perform the functions of their office or of misbehaviour.

(6) In the event that any member of the Adoption Board vacates his office before completing his term, the member appointed in his stead shall be so appointed for the unexpired period of the original appointment.

(7) The Minister shall designate a person to act as Secretary to the Adoption Board and such person shall, as part of his duties, be responsible for the keeping of the relevant records and shall carry out such other work related to the functions of the Adoption Board as may be instructed by the Chairperson.

(8) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to any regulations made thereunder, the Adoption Board shall regulate its own procedure: Provided that any decision of the Adoption Board shall be taken by a majority of votes; however in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have and exercise a determining vote. The Secretary to the Board shall not vote.

(9) The Adoption Board shall meet as and when necessary, provided it meets at least once every month. In the case of a written request by the Minister or by an accredited agency, which request shall be transmitted through the Secretary of the Board, such Board shall meet by not later than forty eight hours following the request.

(10) The Adoption Board shall have the power to consult professionals or other persons having relevant knowledge and experience in the field of adoption.

(11) The members of the Adoption Board, the Secretary to such Board and any person involved in the proceedings before the Adoption Board shall be bound by confidentiality and shall not disclose to any third party any information which may come to their knowledge during the proceedings. These persons shall also not distribute to any third party any document pertaining to the Adoption Board or any copies thereof, unless requested or duly authorised to do so by any court of law.

(12) The Adoption Board shall submit to the Minister an annual report of all its activities during the preceding calendar year by not later than the fifteenth April of each year.