The Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2003 to be gazetted on June 6 seeks to improve existing local adoption arrangements.

The Health, Welfare & Food Bureau said the bill also gives effect to the Convention on Protection of Children & Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Convention) in Hong Kong.

Among the amendments, the bill proposes to outlaw private arrangements for unrelated adoption and the removal of a child residing in Hong Kong to any place abroad for the purpose of adoption by an unrelated person without a court order.

It also proposes to impose a mandatory criminal record check requirement on an applicant for an adoption order.

The bureau said without these legislative amendments, there is a risk that a child will not be placed with the most suitable prospective guardians nor in the best available adoptive home.

The bill will be tabled at the Legislative Council on June 18.