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The regulations for the Early Childhood Act, passed in the House of Representatives in September, are now before the Upper House for consideration. The regulations, which are intended to make the more than 2,100 early childhood institutions in the island adhere to stipulations, address the educational and physical well-being of children and seek to ensure that school grounds meet minimum...

Government Senator, Keste Miller has resigned from the Senate to take up appointment abroad. Making the announcement during last Friday's (October 7), sitting of the Senate, Leader of Government Business, Burchell Whiteman expressed appreciation for the contributions made by Mr. Miller during his three years in the Upper House. Opposition Senator, Arthur Williams said Mr. Miller was a friend prior...

The Senate yesterday (Oct.7) deferred approval of the Companies' Rules Resolution 2005 to allow for further clarification of the provisions following concerns raised by Opposition Senators. Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator Burchell Whiteman, raised the motion seeking approval for the Bill, which recommends specific rules for the new Companies Act 2004. He explained that the rules...

Debate on the Bill to amend the Maintenance Act continued in the Upper House on September 30, after a motion by Leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, Anthony Johnson, to refer the Bill to a joint select committee of both Houses, was turned down. The Bill seeking to amend the Act to place equal maintenance obligations on both sexes...

The Senate yesterday (Sept. 23) gave the nod to a Bill amending the Larceny Act giving force to new legislative provisions specifically targeted at stemming the rise in extortion practices across the island. The Bill modified the parent Act to make it an offence for a person to make unwarranted demands with menaces in order to gain a benefit or...

The Senate on Friday (Sept.16), acting on recommendations by the Court of Appeal to correct "injustices" relating to third parties in motor vehicle accidents, passed amendments to the Motor Vehicles Insurance (Third Party Risks) Act. Opposition Senator Arthur Williams, who piloted the Bill, said that the Jamaican Court of Appeal had, in its judgments, indicated that the interpretation of Section...

The Senate yesterday (July 29), gave the nod to a Bill to amend the National Housing Trust Act , allowing the Trust to divert $5 billion in a one-off transfer to finance the upgrading of educational facilities across the island this financial year. There is also a sunset clause to remove the provision after one year in existence. The Act...

A Bill to amend the 1967 Firearms Act was passed in the Upper House last Friday (July 22) with five amendments. The modifications to the legislation form part of the government's efforts to minimize the threat to public safety and national security posed by the proliferation of firearms, by streamlining the procedures for the issuing of licences, certificates and permits....

The Overseas Examination Commission Act 2005, to pave the way for the Overseas Examination Committee to be converted into a statutory body, was passed without any amendments on Friday (July 15), when the Senate met at Gordon House. Senator Noel Monteith, who piloted the Bill, said that the legislation would place into statute, the roles, responsibilities and structure of the...

The Senate on Friday (July 1) gave its approval to a Bill to make special provisions for cadastral mapping, tenure clarification and land registration in specified areas. Information Minister Senator Burchell Whiteman who piloted the Bill said the provision was enabling legislation for the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Government of Jamaica (GoJ) funded Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP) and...

Members of the Senate today (June 24) lauded the recent triumph of Jamaican track athlete, Asafa Powell, in breaking the world record in the 100-metre sprint. Powell won a recent track event in Athens, boasting a newly etched record of 9.77 seconds. Moving to acknowledge Powell's record-breaking achievement, Opposition Senator, Prudence Kidd-Deans offered hearty congratulations to the young athlete. Speaking...

Members of the Senate today (June 24) lauded the recent triumph of Jamaican track athlete, Asafa Powell, in breaking the world record in the 100-metre sprint. Powell won a recent track event in Athens, boasting a newly etched record of 9.77 seconds. Moving to acknowledge Powell's record-breaking achievement, Opposition Senator, Prudence Kidd-Deans offered hearty congratulations to the young athlete. Speaking...