(1) The Minister may designate and maintain by the Ministry or under an agreement with a voluntary organization, a place of assessment for the temporary reception of a child in conflict with the law prior to or pending the completion of an initial inquiry regarding the child under this Act.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if the Minister believes an institution other than a place of assessment under subsection (1), is fit for the temporary reception of a child in conflict with the law pending an initial inquiry regarding the child, the Minister shall certify the institution as a place of assessment for the purposes of this Act.
(3) The Minister may make Rules to provide for the management of a place of assessment including the standards and the various types of services to be provided by the place of assessment and the circumstances under which and the manner in which the certification of a place of assessment may be granted or withdrawn.
(4) A child who, on commission of an alleged offence is not placed under the charge of a parent and is sent to a place of assessment, must be initially kept in a reception unit of the place of assessment for initial assessment, care and classification, giving due consideration to the age, physical and mental status of the child and the degree of the alleged offence.