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The Senate yesterday (March 4) passed a Bill to Amend the Nurses and Midwives Act. Debate on the Bill was suspended last January, as there were concerns about the penalties applied for offences committed under the Act, and a decision was taken to refer the matter to officials of the Ministry of Health and the Parliamentary Counsel, for discussion. Several...

The Senate on Friday (Feb. 25) gave its assent to a Bill bringing into force, the provisions under the 1986 Retiring Allowances Act for Parish Councillors. The Bill, which was piloted by Attorney General and Minister of Justice Senator A.J. Nicholson, seeks to provide benefits to eligible retired councillors, and also serves to grant benefits to the dependents of councillors...

The Senate yesterday (Feb. 4) approved a Bill to Provide for the Regulation and Management of Early Childhood institutions and other connected matters. Piloting the Bill, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and Minister of Information, Senator Burchell Whiteman explained that the primary purpose of the Bill was for the advancement of the objectives of the Early Childhood Commission...

Members of the Upper House last Friday (Jan. 28) paid tribute to former opposition leader Edward Seaga, who recently retired from representation politics after more than 40 years in the political arena. Senator Burchell Whiteman, Leader of Government Business in the Senate, praised Mr. Seaga for his faithful representation in the House as well as to his West Kingston constituency....

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...