The passing of the Infant Life Protection Act 1907 (No.2102) was partly in response to concerns about 'baby farming'. The Act required parents to register voluntary foster placements with the Neglected Children's Department and pay for the upkeep of the child or risk the child becoming a ward of the state. Registered carers also became subject to inspection. With this Act, the Neglected Children's Department assumed responsibility from the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Police in 1907 for the registration of homes providing non-parental care to infants.
This legislation amended the Infant Life Protection Act 1890. It was repealed by the Infant Life Protection Act 1915.
Sources used to compile this entry: Law Research Service, Melbourne Law School, Law Library, The University of Melbourne. 'Find and Connect Project - Victoria Legislation', 13 December 2013, held in the project files at the University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre.
Prepared by: Cate O'Neill
Created: 6 March 2009, Last modified: 11 December 2015