New Delhi, Aug 19 (IANS) An amendment to the juvenile justice law seeking to stop discrimination against children suffering from serious diseases such as tuberculosis, leprosy and sexually transmitted ailments, or those with unsound minds, was passed by the Rajya Sabha Friday.

Earlier, replying to a brief debate on the amendment, Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said segregation of children due to their diseases left a deep impact on the child's mind and hence needs to be stopped.

"In the opinion of experts also, segregation is no more necessary for the treatment of such children," she said.

The bill amended the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000, by omitting a provision from the law, which provided for the separate treatment of juveniles or children suffering from the ailments, including Hepatitis B.

It also replaces a provision which gave competent authorities in special homes or children's homes the power to move children suffering from leprosy, unsound mind, or drug addiction to special facilities.