Three bills that seek to appropriately treat with and increase the penalties for the offence of murder under Jamaican law were debated and passed in the Senate today.

They are the Offences Against The Person (Amendment) Bill, the Criminal Justice (Administration) (Amendment) Bill and the Child Care Protection (Amendment) Bill.

Amendments were made to the Offences Against The Person and the Child Care Protection bills.

No amendment was made to the Criminal Justice (Administration) (Amendment) Bill.

Leader of Government Business Senator Kamina Johnson Smith piloted the bills.

She said the Offences Against The Person Amendment Act will see the mandatory minimum sentence for non capital murder move from 15 years to 30 years.  

She also explained the amendments to the Child Care Protection (Amendment) Bill.