A bill to regulate adoption was approved by the ministerial cabinet on Wednesday, aiming to modernise outdated procedures and safeguard the best interests and fundamental rights of children.

Deputy Welfare Minister Marilena Evangelou said the legislation seeks to update adoption laws dating back to 1955. It introduces streamlined processes beyond the completion of adoption services and mandates the participation of guardians in educational programmes.

It also provides for the establishment of registers of prospective parents and adoptees, as well as the procedure for information disclosure to identify the biological parent and for information sharing on the child.

A new committee for matching adoptees with prospective parents has been instated, tasked with identifying the most suitable adoptive parents tailored to the individual needs of the child.

The views and wishes of the child are to be taken into account according to the child’s age and maturity level, Evangelou explained.

Additionally, an adoption advisory committee has been created to assess the general suitability of adoption applicants.

Evangelou noted that the bill is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen child protection laws and prioritise children’s rights.