Govt finalising several legislative changes to address social issues

As the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) works assiduously to ensure that its legislative framework remains vigorous, stakeholders from the MHSSS are currently working with policy makers to review and finalize several pieces of legislation and policies to address social challenges within the country.
Strengthening of the legal framework of the MHSSS was revealed by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, in a media interview on Tuesday.
Dr. Persaud revealed that the MHSSS has been very proactive in its legislative approach over the years. She highlighted that this year, the Sexual Offences Act of 2010, which is already a vigorous piece of legislation, would be amended to address identified weaknesses through consultations with key stakeholders, including the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Judiciary, and the Police Force.
“In terms of legislation, currently there is a review of the Sexual Offences Act of 2010, and there is an important injection. There are many things that are going to be looked at. Now, that is a very progressive – even the 2010 version is a very progressive, very strong piece of legislation. And so what is going to be very significant in terms of an introduction there would be the Sexual Offenders Database. And there has been consultation, and we are closer to the final version of that piece of legislation,” she detailed.
The amended Sexual Offences Act would require convicts to, among other things, not only provide information about their residence and the vehicles they are using, but also their DNA samples. The law would also mandate the sex offender to provide his or her email address, information on the Internet Protocol (IP) address of any device he or she regularly uses; photograph and medical history, including information on any communicable diseases contracted by the offender.
The proposed legislation provides for the names of Guyanese, or persons residing here, who were convicted locally or overseas for an ‘enterable offence’, to be included in the Sex Offenders Database. The draft amendment to the Sexual Offences Act says such persons could be included whether or not they have completed their sentences.
All those who had committed an ‘enterable’ sexual offence on or before May 25, 2010 would have their names included in the database, which would be under the control of the Police Commissioner.
The minister highlighted two other key pieces of legislation that are currently being worked on.
“The harassment legislation. We have had intense consultations. We are closer to the final version of that. And there are three other vague legislation. One is right now on the Order Paper at Parliament and there are two awaiting all of that. So, lots of work happening in the background, and happening to ensure that our legislation, one: they’re increased, and two: they’re strengthened,” she detailed.
Earlier this year, during the budget consideration of estimates and expenditure, the minister had highlighted that three new polices: focusing on early childhood development, gender inclusion, and child care reunification, would be introduced this year.
Dr. Persaud revealed on Tuesday that two of these policies are almost completed.
“Those policies are important to support what we do in terms of programming and strategy and direction…So we are working on all of those, and we are nearing final draft with two of those,” she said.
For 2025, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security received a budget of $58.5 billion, with a focus on social initiatives and supporting vulnerable populations, including senior citizens, women, children, and persons with disabilities.