Progress on upcoming law changes
The Employment Relations (Triangular Employment) Amendment Bill is still currently with the Select Committee who are expected to report to the House on 29 November 2018. However, the Bill has be shown little support and it is likely that it would not become law.
Although, if the Bill does progress passed this stage it will go to the Second Reading - which is the main debate parliament will have in respect of the principles of the Bill. After having this debate any amendments to the Bill that did not have the unanimous support of the Committee are voted on together. The Bill can also be defeated at this stage and therefore will not become legislation if this is the case the process must commence again.
However, if this is not the case, the Bill will go to the Committee of the Whole House where all members of the House are to consider the Bill in detail and make further amendments which members may propose in writing. There are no timeframes on this stage of the process however, once the final form of the Bill has been agreed, it goes to the Third Reading.
The Third Reading is the last chance members have to debate and decide whether the Bill should be passed into law. This debate can last up to two (2) hours and once agreed, the Bill will be submitted to the Governor-General for Royal Assent. Once Royal Assent is granted the Bill will become law within six (6) months.
The Employment Relations Amendment Bill has been at the Select Committee Stage since February 2018 with their report being submitted on 7 September 2018. The date for the second reading has not yet been set, however the Select Committee’s report is available on Parliament’s website www.parliament.nz
The Holidays (Bereavement Leave for Miscarriage) Amendment Bill was introduced on 9 August 2018 with the purpose of amending the current bereavement leave provisions contained within the Holidays Act 2003 to allow for Employees to take up to three (3) days bereavement leave if themselves, or their partner, has an “unplanned end” to a confirmed pregnancy. The Bill is currently at its first reading, after which the members of the House will vote as to whether the Bill will progress to the Select Committee.
If you have any questions in respect of this process, or how the proposed changes mat affect you, feel free to get in touch with one of the team.