The National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999

Summary of the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999
Key Components
1. Establishment of the National Trust
• Constitution: A body corporate with perpetual succession, headquartered in New Delhi.
• Board Composition (Detailed in original context)
2. Objects of the Trust (Partial, as context ends at (b) of Section 10)
• (a) Enable and empower persons with disability to live independently and fully within their community.
• (b) Strengthen facilities to provide support to persons with disability to... (context incomplete)
3. Financial Provisions (Highlighted)
• Grants & Fund Management (As detailed in the original summary)
4. Governance and Operational Aspects
• Term of Office, Meetings, etc. (Partially detailed)

Legislative History:

The National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999

Short Title The National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999

Act Number / Year 44 of 1999

Act ID (India Code) 199944

Presidential Assent / Enactment Date December 30, 1999

Enforcement Date December 30, 1999

Nodal Ministry Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment

Precedent & Statutory Rationale

• Gaps in Support Systems for Severe and Developmental Disabilities:

o Prior to 1999, existing disability frameworks (such as the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995) focused primarily on physical and sensory impairments, leaving a severe institutional void for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and multiple disabilities.

o Families of individuals with severe developmental disabilities faced intense vulnerability regarding long-term care, legal guardianship, residential support, and financial security after the demise or incapacitation of parents or primary caregivers.

• Legislative Intervention and Regularization:

o Enacted to set up a national corporate body—The National Trust—equipped with statutory powers to protect and promote the rights of persons with specific developmental and multiple disabilities.

o The core objective was to provide legal guardianship through local-level committees, promote independent living, facilitate the creation of residential group homes and care centers, and financially support registered non-governmental organizations working for the welfare of severely disabled individuals.

Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment

• Formulation: Framed by the Central Government following extensive consultations with disability rights advocates, parents' associations, and social welfare organizations to address the safety nets required for profoundly disabled citizens.

• Parliamentary Passage: Passed by both houses of Parliament, receiving formal presidential assent on December 30, 1999.

• Enforcement: Enforced on December 30.

• Source: India Code and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Official Records.