The public will have a chance to voice its concerns and make suggestions on the Child Justice and Child Protection Bills which were debated in Parliament last month.
Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, is also giving the assurance that the bills have not yet been passed and are not law.
He made these disclosures during a press conference at the Ministry’s Wildey, St. Michael headquarters today, as he sought to dispel misinformation related to the Bills.
Mr. Abrahams explained that Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, presented the Child Protection Bill, while he presented the Child Justice Bill. These were subjected to the first and second readings in Parliament.
He said that under normal circumstances, after the first and second reading, the Bill would go before the Committee and be passed the same day. However, in this case, both Bills were referred to the Joint Select Committee of the House of Assembly and also the Senate.
Once that occurs, Mr. Abrahams said debate on the bill is paused in Parliament. That Committee, he said makes its own rules about how it will deal with what is before it, and can discuss matters related to policy and other issues.
The Home Affairs Minister outlined that in giving consideration to both the Child Protection legislation and the Child Justice legislation, the Select Committee will publish their procedure for the public.
“They are going to let the public know exactly what is going on. They are also going to invite comments from the public in relation to the bills. They have the power to call persons who have submitted their comments to give evidence or to appear before the Committee or to submit further instructions by email or whatever,” Mr. Abrahams outlined.
He stressed that it was critical for persons to understand that the Bills have not been passed and are not law despite discussion which suggest that they are.
“The public is going to have its chance to weigh in on areas of concern for it, to write in with their comments or their suggestions,” he assured.
He added that the Committee can also invite large interest groups to give evidence or speak on behalf of the group that they represent to present the case.
The Minister said when the Committee has concluded its work, a report would then be submitted to Parliament
“What has happened in many instances where bills have been before the Select Committee is that the opinion of the public, or the opinion of those giving the evidence has been taken into account, and the Bills have been adjusted [and] amended. And, what eventually passes might not necessarily be the Bill that is there, but a Bill having taken into consideration the input of concerned persons,” he stated.
Stating that the Bill was laid out of Government’s concern for what was happening with children, Mr. Abrahams noted that the documents would be made available to the public to read and urged persons to do so for themselves and form their own opinions before intervening.