The long-awaited Data Protection Bill was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday with bi-partisan support and no amendments.

The historic passage of the legislation means that Jamaica has joined the growing lists of countries whose citizens enjoy requisite safeguards of their personal information. It will now go to the Senate for debate and approval before final passage into law.

The bill, which was piloted by Science, Energy and Technology Minister, Fayval Williams, was delayed for nearly two years following the July, 2018 departure of former portfolio minister, Dr Andrew Wheatley from the Cabinet at the height of the Petrojam scandal.

Following Wheatley’s departure, the joint select committee of the parliament that was examining the bill under his chairmanship did not meet for 15 months. Meetings did not resume until after the appointment of Williams.

She previously said the Bill supports the fundamental right of every Jamaican to have their privacy protected, and will complement the new national identification (ID) system that the Government intends to implement.

http://www.loopjamaica.com/content/historic-data-protection-bill-approved-house