Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, on Tuesday (June 20) tabled in the House of Representatives job descriptions for Parliamentarians in the form of a Green Paper and for Ministers in the form of a White Paper. “These will set out the strategic objective of the post, its purpose, reporting and accountability, the key deliverables and responsibility areas, performance...

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has urged Parliamentarians to refrain from feuding with the Integrity Commission. “We should not engage in a political ‘cass cass’, because that is how it is emerging between the Parliament and a body that reports to the Parliament,” Prime Minister Holness said. He was speaking on the motion of adjournment at the conclusion...

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday (June 7), passed the Copyright (Amendment) Act, 2023. The legislation was piloted by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Hon. Nigel Clarke. In his remarks, Dr. Clarke said the Copyright Act of 1993 was amended in 2015 to provide persons with a print or hearing disability access to copies or adaptations...

The Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs intends to use the proposed Legal Information Portal for the Laws of Jamaica to engage on law reform issues. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, said this engagement will serve to inform the public and the Ministry about issues of concern that are to be considered in the development of law reform proposals....

Inter-ministerial legislative teams have now been established to help address the slow pace of legislative reform within the wider public sector. Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, made the disclosure during her contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 6. “The aim is to improve operational efficiency, speed, and the...

The Law Revision Secretariat undertook several major initiatives during the 2022/23 legislative year, in keeping with its mandate to enhance the availability of legal information to the public. Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, said the measures included revision of newly enacted and amended statutes and subsidiary legislation for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021. The...

A Joint Select Committee of Parliament is to be established to review the job descriptions and code of conduct for Ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs). Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, made the disclosure during a statement to the House of Representatives on June 6. “The process is well advanced… . We have consulted with the Opposition. We...

A regional Nephrology Centre of Excellence is slated to be constructed at the St. Ann’s Bay Hospital in St. Ann. This was stated by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, during his contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 16. Mr. Green was providing an update on...

Debate on a Bill that will address legal and practical concerns for the Independent Commission of Investigations commenced in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 10). The Independent Commission of Investigations (Amendment) Bill, 2023 will indemnify and validate certain actions, done in good faith, by the agency, its employees, and the Commissioner. The Bill was piloted in the House...