The First and Deputy First Minister have released a written statement regarding the legislation they intend to introduce to the Assembly in the remaining part of the 2019-2020 session.
The Legislation Programme will consist of the 10 new Bills:
The Minister for Communities intends to introduce four Bills:
The Welfare Mitigation/ Social Sector Size Criteria Bill - in respect of mitigation payments regarding the bedroom tax.
The Pension Schemes Bill - aims to ensure that those saving into a Master Trust scheme, which is a form of multi‐employer occupational pension scheme, are protected.
The Housing (Amendment) Bill - will make the changes urgently required to address the Office for National Statistics’ classification of Housing Associations to the public sector.
The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill - plans to tackle practices within the licensed trade which could contribute to alcohol misuse. It is also intended to support the hospitality sector in promoting tourism, by making its offering more sustainable and attractive.
The Minister of Finance will introduce the normal Budget Bills as part of the annual financial cycle.
The Minster of Justice intends to introduce two Bills:
Criminal Justice Bill - to reform the Committal process
Domestic Abuse Bill - will create a new domestic abuse offence and therefore close a gap in the law to ensure that protection is not limited to cases of physically violent behaviour, as at present.
The First Minister and Deputy First Minister, will introduce a three piece legislative package to implement commitments given in the New Decade, New Approach Deal. These will be entitled the Northern Ireland Act 1998 Amendment No 1, 2 and 3 Bills.
The Purpose of these three Bills will be:
make provision for an Office of Identity and Cultural Expression and repeal the Administration of Justice (Language) Act 1737;
to appoint an Irish Language Commissioner and to provide official recognition of the status of the Irish language;
make provision to appoint a Commissioner to enhance and develop the language, arts and literature associated with the Ulster Scots and Ulster British tradition in Northern Ireland; and make provision for a duty on the Department of Education as regards Ulster Scots.
To read the full text of the Written Statement Click HERE