Notice of Public Hearings and Call for Briefs

BILL 60, Safe Haven Legislation

BILL 53, Lobbyists Registration Act

The Standing Committee on Law Amendments is an all-party committee of the Legislative Assembly charged with reviewing Bill 60, An Act to Amend the Family Services Act (Safe Haven Legislation), and Bill 53, Lobbyists Registration Act.

The purpose of Bill 60, An Act to Amend the Family Services Act, is to require the government to create and implement a safe haven policy. The policy may allow parents of children 72 hours old or younger to give away possession of their child to an emergency room nurse without fear of prosecution, provided the child has no signs of abuse or neglect.

The purpose of Bill 53, Lobbyists Registration Act, is to require lobbyists, meaning those who communicate with public office holders in an attempt to influence certain decisions, to file a return with a registrar. The return would disclose certain information about the lobbyist and would be available for public inspection.

Public Hearings: The Committee seeks your input through public hearings and written briefs on the issues raised by Bill 60 and Bill 53. The public hearings will be held in Fredericton on Monday, Nov. 9, 2009, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (Lord Beaverbrook), 659 Queen Street. Individuals or organizations wishing to make a presentation to the Committee should notify the Office of the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly by Wednesday Nov. 4, 2009.

Written Briefs: Those not wishing to appear before the Committee are invited to submit a written brief to the address below by Monday Nov. 30, 2009. Written briefs may also be submitted online, by fax, or by e-mail.

Office of the Clerk
Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick
P.O. Box 6000, Fredericton, N.B., E3B 5H1
Telephone: (506) 453-2506
Fax: (506) 453-7154
e-mail: Leg-consultations@gnb.ca