Senate Passes Bill For Constitutional Amendment To Formulate New Words Of Enactment

A Bill to amend Section 61 of the Constitution of Jamaica to provide for new Words of Enactment was passed in the Senate on Friday (July 19).

It constitutes the first legislative step in a proposed series of amendments intended to give effect to a Constitution enacted by the Parliament of Jamaica and approved by the people of Jamaica.

Section 61 of the Constitution prescribes the Words of Enactment that must accompany every Bill tabled in the Parliament and presented to the Governor-General for assent.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Leader of Government Business in the Upper House, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, who piloted the Constitution (Amendment of Section 61) Act, 2024, said the aim is to “Jamaicanise the Constitution”.

“This is a part of our process whereby we implement, together, a Constitution that resonates with the people of Jamaica and inculcates a sense of identity, a sense of pride, a sense of ambition and ownership of our national Constitution, institutions and laws,” Senator Johnson Smith said.

The Words of Enactment for Bills indicate the source of authority and are important to signify the supreme authority of the Parliament of Jamaica in legislative matters.

“This Bill takes us forward in this process. It will ensure that the Constitution is amended to ensure that, at that time, the Bill establishing Jamaica as a Republic will contain Words of Enactment that are commensurate with the autonomy that is consistent with Republic status,” Senator Johnson Smith explained.

Fifteen Members of the Senate voted for the legislation, one abstained, while five were absent.