A revised draft Bail Bill is expected to be tabled during next week’s sitting of the House of Representatives.

This follows the completion of the deliberations of the joint select committee of Parliament which reviewed the proposed Bail Act, 2022.

Chair of the committee, Marlene Malahoo Forte, made this disclosure at the 18th and final meeting of the committee on Thursday.

Committee members used the session to go through their 18-page report and approve the revised draft Bill that will accompany it for tabling.

Malahoo Forte, the minister of legal and constitutional affairs, urged committee members to fulfil their final duty by signing the report. She noted that the committee clerk is to circulate the final version of the report on Friday for members of the Senate, while other members will have the opportunity to sign the document on Tuesday before the House meets at 2:00 pm.

As she wrapped up Thursday’s session, the committee chair thanked committee members for their input, noting that she believes the report reflects diverse views, the concerns raised, how they were addressed and the amendments made to the Bill.

“Let me just express my thanks to all members who have served dutifully and especially those who have attended faithfully, even though it has been a demanding schedule. By and large, I believe the discussions have been rich and I hope that we have emerged from these deliberations with a better understanding of numerous matters, including the constitutional issues,” she said.

The committee chair especially thanked Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Foreman for the guidance he provided from the Attorney General’s Chambers. She also thanked the Law Reform Department, Chief Parliamentary Counsel Judith Grant and the members of staff who assisted, the committee clerk, and the other supporting staff of the House of Representatives.

The newly drafted Bail Act, which will repeal and replace the existing Act of 2000, addresses the matter of people being in custody without charge or trial within a reasonable time, while ensuring that persons who commit serious crimes are not able to threaten, intimidate or harm witnesses.

— Alecia Smith