THE Government has indicated its intent to pursue an ambitious legislative agenda for 2023/24 to include a review of and amendments to critical national security, labour, education, and access to information laws.

Outlining the legislative agenda in the throne speech on Tuesday, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen said in pursuing key legislative reforms to improve public order, safety and reduce crime and violence, the Government will prioritise amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to include unexplained wealth, along with the fingerprints, and immigration restrictions Acts. The Corrections Act is also slated to be taken to Parliament for review.

Furthermore, additional amendments are to be made to the Criminal Records (Rehabilitation of Offenders) Act, or Expungement Act. Drafting instructions have been issued for amendments to the Domestic Violence (Amendment) Act, based on inputs provided by the national security ministry, the Governor General advised as he noted that the changes are consequent on the recent amendments to the firearms legislation.

The Government also indicated its intention to amend a suite of labour-related laws including: the Occupational Safety and Health Bill, the Employment Agencies Regulation Act, the Minimum Wage Act, National Minimum Wage Order and Employment Agencies Regulation Act.

As it pertains to the education sector, there will be a push to complete deliberations on and passage of the Jamaica Teaching Council Bill, which is currently being reviewed by a joint select committee, while long-awaited amendments to the Education Act and Regulations of 1980, as well as the 2004 Child Care and Protection (Amendment) Law, are also to come.

Furthermore, the governor general said focus will be given to tobacco control, food and drugs legislation, as well as the legislative framework governing the National Family Planning Board, and the National Council on Drug Abuse.

The legislative priorities under the local government ministry will include the Human Services Bill, the National Solid Waste Management (Validation, Indemnification, and Amendment) Bill, the Local Governance (Amendment) Bill, and the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Bill.

There are also plans to improve the regulatory framework of the petroleum sector, including the Petroleum (Amendment) Bill and the Petroleum (Downstream Activities) Bill.

The governor general noted the legislative priorities for the Office of the Prime Minister during the year, such as the Registration (Births and Deaths) (Amendment) Act, and the National Archives and Records Management Bill. The Government has also given its undertaking to prioritise the 2002 Access to Information (Amendment) Act, which by law is to be reviewed every two years.

Also on the agenda are amendments to the Civil Aviation Act, the Shipping (Pollution Prevention, Response, Liability and Compensation) Bill, and the Port Authority Act. The Mediation Bill, and the Notaries Public Act to be repealed and replaced.

Sir Patrick advised also that work is projected to continue on amendments to the Rent Restriction Act, the Professional Engineer Registration Act, and on amendments to the Companies Act, and the Insolvency (Amendment) Bill.