- From
- 1904
- To
- 1935
- Categories
- Principal Act
- Location
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The Public Health Act 1903 also known by the full title 'An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Public Health' (Act no. 3 Edw. VII No.37), enacted in response to the recent Launceston smallpox epidemic, established the Public Health Department, repealed the Contagious Diseases Acts (Act no.42 Vict. No.36), and provided for the protection of 'illegitimate' babies. This legislation was repealed and replaced by The Public Health Act 1935 (Act no. 26 Geo. V No.43) in 1935.
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The Public Health Act 1903 attempted to protect illegitimate babies by stipulating that anyone, who was not the mother, caring for more than one baby under two years, or two babies, if twins, for more than twenty-four hours, must be registered with the local authority. Carers had to be of 'good character' and able to 'properly maintain' the child. Authorities had to be informed of a child's death within twenty-four hours.
The Act did almost nothing to assist illegitimate babies because local authorities did little or nothing to implement it. The Infant Life Protection Act 1907 (Act no.7 Edw. VII No.51), took responsibility for registering foster mothers from the local authorities and gave it to the Police Department.
Timeline
- 1885 - 1904
- The Public Health Act 1885
- 1904 - 1935
- The Public Health Act 1903
