The Miscellaneous Amendments Bill, 2020 was passed in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, after some amendments in the Committee Stage.

Here are the key changes under the Bill:

-Magistrates now enjoy full immunity protection under the Summary Courts Act, for any acts done in the execution of their office.. The amendment was further clarified to state that this does not remove one’s right to appeal or the right to file a judicial review.

-Traffic offenders will be allowed to pay 50% of their existing fines, in government’s effort to resolve the 60,000-80,000 traffic cases before the courts.

– Animal cruelty is subject to a $100,000 fine and one year imprisonment. (The old  penalty was $400 fine and two months jail time)

– Police are to report to the Children’s Authority on any cases involving children caught with a dangerous drug (marijuana included).

–The Mental Health Act has been expanded to include mental health officers who are  employed by or at a Regional Health Authority.

– Failing to adhere to a court order can now be a charged as a summary and indictable offense. Convicts will be subject to 1 million dollar fine.

– Financial institutions can provide information to law enforcement officers upon their request, without being found in breach of confidentiality. (Matter must be under a search warrant or production order)

– Incorporated companies must issue shares within 14 days of it being registered. In addition, shareholders must be identified by an additional 14 day period. Existing companies will be given a timeline of six months to meet the requirement.

-Under the Securities Act, profits made in breach of law must be paid to the State, and convicted persons/entities are subject to a $5million fine.

– The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries has been granted additional powers to authorize the importation of food containers during the COVID-19 panic. (Previously health officers would be assigned to assess each container)

-A “modernization” of the Oaths Act; persons taking an oath can now say “I (name of person) solemnly swear” as opposed to the previous religious phrase “I swear by Almighty God”.

Before the passage of the Bill, Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie questioned the timing. “I know that in many countries the COVID period is being used in order to increase the power and potency of governments…and the Parliaments by and large have become weaker” he said.

House Speaker Brigid Annisette-George adjourned Wednesday’s sitting to a date to be fixed.