s 12A Effect of record or purported record of abandonment, abuse or neglect of child on conciliation under section 12(5)(b)
12A.—(1) The Commissioner must not refer any matter (in respect of the maintenance of a parent by any child of the parent) for conciliation under section 12(5)(b) if —(a) the declaration made under section 3A in respect of the parent states that the parent has a record or purported record of abandonment, abuse or neglect of the child; or (b) the Commissioner ascertains that the parent has a record or purported record of abandonment, abuse or neglect of the child, unless permission is granted under section 3B for an application to be made under section 3 against the child for the maintenance of the parent. (2) A conciliation officer conducting any conciliation mentioned in section 12(5)(b) (in respect of the maintenance of a parent by any child of the parent) must discontinue the conciliation if the conciliation officer ascertains (whether from the child or otherwise) that the parent has a record or purported record of abandonment, abuse or neglect of the child. (3) Subsection (2) does not apply if, before the conciliation mentioned in that subsection commences, permission is granted under section 3B for an application to be made under section 3 against the child for the maintenance of the parent. (4) If permission is granted under section 3B for an application to be made under section 3 in a matter, the Commissioner may —(a) in the case mentioned in subsection (1) — refer the matter for conciliation under section 12(5)(b); or (b) in the case mentioned in subsection (2) —(i) require the conciliation officer mentioned in that subsection to continue with conciliation; or (ii) refer the matter for conciliation again under section 12(5)(b).[Act 22 of 2023 wef 01/07/2024]