Thank you, Mr. Speaker and colleagues. I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Nahendeh, that Bill 5, An Act to Amend the Child and Family Services Act, be read for the second time.
Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Child and Family Services Act to provide that an application for a court order must be filed within four days after a child is apprehended under the act, and a hearing must be held within nine days after the application is filed. If the court determines there are reasonable grounds for the apprehension, the court shall make an order confirming or continuing the apprehension.
In cases where an apprehension is made on the grounds that a child needs protection by reason of a refusal of medical care or treatment, the court may make an interim order continuing the apprehension until the determination of the court application for a declaration that the child needs protection and for an order authorizing the medical care or treatment.
For all other applications, a court order confirming an apprehension expires unless, within 45 days after the apprehension, a further application is made to the court for a declaration that the child is in need of protection and for a further court order for the protection of the child.
The bill makes changes in terminology to distinguish the new apprehension orders from child protection orders which are made in proceedings under the current act.
The bill also makes minor adjustments in the act to correct errors or clarify provisions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.