Several crime fighting bills set for passage soon - Chang

National Security Minister Hon. Dr. Horace Chang has announced that he will be piloting several bills and related matters in the House of Representatives to bolster public safety and citizen security.

Some of the main pieces of legislation to be tabled are The Criminal Justice Suppression of Criminal Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2021 (Anti-Gang Bill), the Firearms Licensing Act, amendments to the Trafficking In Persons Act, the Corrections Act, and regulations for the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA).

The National Security Minister was making his contribution to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

He said debate on amendments to the Anti-Gang Bill, which was tabled on April 27, will get under way on Wednesday (May 26), while the Firearms Act will be brought to Parliament in a few weeks.

“I have had extensive cross-discussion [on the Firearms Act] with the Legal Reform Department in the Ministry of Justice, the Attorney General’s Department, where it is now, and, of course, the support and work of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel. All agencies worked well and we are on the last round. I’m assured that in a few weeks, it will be in the House,” he said.

Regarding the Trafficking in Persons Act, Dr. Chang said it is proposed to amend the statute to replace the option of fines with custodial sentences “except for corporate bodies that may be charged from time to time.”

He disclosed that the policy for Trafficking in Persons is now near completion and is to be taken to Cabinet, after which it should be completed by the second quarter of the current fiscal year.

In addition, he said that the Chairmanship of the National Task Force Against Trafficking In Persons has been returned to the Ministry under the leadership of Permanent Secretary, Courtney Williams.

The National Security Minister told the House that work to develop the investigation and prosecution regulations for MOCA is in its final stages and will be in the House “very shortly”, while proposed amendments to the Corrections Act to address the movement of contraband into facilities “should be here pretty soon, as well”.

He highlighted several other critical pieces of legislation on which work will be or is being pursued.

They include amendments to the Immigration Restriction (Commonwealth Citizens) and Aliens Act, which is in the final stages of consultation; the new Visa Policy; further amendments to the Proceeds of Crime Act, Interception of Communications Act; a modern Intelligence Act; and repeal and replacement of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) Act.

SOURCE: JIS