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The senate on Friday (January 14) suspended its debate on a Bill to Amend the Nurses and Midwives Act.While agreeing that that there was an absolute need for a regulatory framework, which preserved and protected the nursing profession and the professionals involved, there was concern about the penalties for the five offences identified in the Act. It was pointed out...

The Senate on Friday (December 17), sanctioned five Bills, which will enable Jamaica to participate in the first phase of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME), scheduled for implementation on January 1, 2005. Justice Minister and Attorney General, Senator A.J. Nicholson who piloted the Bills, said their passing fulfilled Jamaica's commitment to early implementation of the Single Market, a...

The Senate yesterday (Dec. 9) gave its approval to a Bill to amend the Corruption Prevention Act and the cohort Corruption Prevention Regulations. Tabling the legislation, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator A.J. Nicholson, said the amendments served to give effect to several recommendations made by the Corruption Prevention Commission in its annual report. The amendments to the Corruption...

The Executive Agencies Act has been amended to give legitimacy to those agencies, which were established before the Act was passed in 2002. Piloting the legislation during a meeting of the Senate last Friday (Dec. 3), Leader of Government Business and Information Minister, Senator Burchell Whiteman, explained that the Bill sought to validate all actions taken by the eight organizations,...

The Senate on Friday (December 3) passed a Bill amending the Coroners Act in a bid to minimize delays in the procedures for coroners' inquests, and further enhance the overall administration of justice. Piloting the Bill, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Senator A.J. Nicholson explained that the legislation would serve to eliminate the "interminable delays" during pre-inquest procedures by...

The Senate on Thursday (Dec. 2) approved amendments to three pieces of legislation, which seek to further improve the operation, management and regulation of the island's financial sector. These are the Financial Institutions Act, the Banking Act and the Building Societies Act. Piloting the Bills, Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator Burchell Whiteman, said the changes to...

The Senate on Thursday (Dec. 2) approved amendments to the Financial Services Commission Act, which will among things, enhance the country's ability to fight money laundering. Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator Burchell Whiteman, who piloted the legislation, explained that the changes would enable the Financial Services Commission (FSC) to satisfy international obligations and become party to...

A Bill to amend the Medical Act was approved by the Senate at its sitting on Thursday (Dec. 2). Leader of Government Business, Senator Burchell Whiteman, who piloted the legislation, explained that the move was to keep the profession on par with international practices. He said the Bill reflected the concerns of the medical fraternity and the Health Ministry, "to...

The Senate has approved a Bill to provide for the collection of a Tourism Enhancement Fee, to be paid by incoming airline and cruise ship passengers. Tabling the Bill at last Friday's (November 26) sitting of the Senate, Leader of Government Business and Information Minister, Burchell Whiteman pointed out that the fee would be collected by commercial or private carriers,...

A Bill to amend the Offences Against the Person Act was passed in the Senate last Friday (Nov. 26) to remove the mandatory death sentence for capital murder. Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Senator A. J. Nicholson, who piloted the legislation, which was passed with two amendments, explained that the intention was not to abolish the death penalty but...

Legislation to provide for the protection of consumer rights was passed in the Senate on Friday (Nov.19) but only after lengthy deliberations, which resulted in 25 amendments to the Act. Leader of Government Business, Senator Burchell Whiteman, piloted the Bill titled 'The Consumer Protection Act 2004', which seeks to provide for the promotion and protection of consumer interests in relation...

In order to adequately prepare accountants for the implementation of the Companies Act 2004 in January, the Office of the Registrar of Companies (ORC) will participate in a seminar to be hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Jamaica (ICAJ) this Saturday, October 30 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown Kingston. The seminar is just one of several such...