HoA passes Bill to allow for equality in child maintenance
Speaking on the Bill during the Tenth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly, Attorney General Dr Christopher P. Malcolm said that the passage of the Bill would remove discrimination which currently occurs in the Magistrate’s Court.
“In short Madam Speaker, This Act when it would have been passed will remove discrimination which currently exists under the Magistrates Code of Procedure Act in terms of how matters relating to maintenance are dealt with. And this is as indicated a necessary companion of the Status of Children’s Act which has already been passed,” said Dr Malcolm.
Territorial Member Honourable Archibald C. Christian said the Bill was a very important one. “We have no perfect Bills in this country but we have Bills that could impact the lives of people and ensure that justice is dispensed in a fair and equitable manner,” he said.
“This Bill before us today does that. It also removes the elements of discrimination against a man and a woman thus impacts the wellbeing of the children. Thus Madam Speaker the Bill is a timely one,” said Hon Christian.
He spoke of the provision in the Bill which allows for the father of a child to be able to apply to the Magistrate’s Court for a summons to be served on the mother of that child to show cause why she should not be compelled to maintain the child in instances where the mother has failed to provide for that child’s maintenance,” he said.
“Men should feel very happy today that they could seek justice through the courts to ensure that their children or their child get the support that is necessary,” he said.
He stressed that the Bill will ensure that whether it was the man or the woman who made the mistake, the child will be provided for.
The Bill provides that not less than $25 per week must be provided for maintenance of a child.
Speaking on the Bill, Representative for the Eighth District Honourable Marlon A. Penn said that he has discussed the option of garnishing of wages as an option over sending men to jail.
“There must be clear mechanisms to ensure the funds get to where they need to be,” he said. He called for the amendments to come to the House to allow for the garnishing of wages.
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9 Responses to “HoA passes Bill to allow for equality in child maintenance”
Life is a boomerang, what goes around, comes around, these kids will automatically do the same thing (hope not)