Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has announced sweeping legislative changes aimed at protecting youth, supporting retirees, and bolstering public safety, including raising the legal age for gambling and marijuana use to 25, and for alcohol consumption to 21.
Speaking Monday night at the United National Congress (UNC) Monday Report in Penal — her first such address since the party’s April 28 General Election win — Persad-Bissessar laid out the administration’s upcoming legislative agenda, touching on tax reforms, crime prevention, and public event regulation.
Persad-Bissessar confirmed the Government will bring legislation to Parliament to raise the legal age thresholds for marijuana, gambling, and alcohol use. She had campaigned heavily on this issue, citing growing concerns about the harmful effects of drug use and addiction among young people.
The Prime Minister also revealed plans to review and amend tax laws affecting pensions, arguing that retirees who have contributed to the system for decades should no longer be taxed after the age of 60.
“I believe that once a person reaches 60 and has been contributing to the pension system for decades, they should no longer be taxed on their retirement benefits,” she said. “This ongoing tax lessens the value of a pension…and can feel like double taxation.”
She said the changes would reflect a fairer system and help reduce the financial burden on retirees living on fixed incomes.
Stand-Your-Ground law ready for Parliament
Persad-Bissessar also announced the draft of the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill 2025, which she said would be presented to Cabinet this week and brought to Parliament in September following national consultations.
The bill would remove the duty to retreat during a home invasion and would legally permit individuals to use deadly force to protect themselves or their property. It defines home invasion as the unlawful entry into a dwelling with the intent to use or threaten force, and includes serious offenses such as grievous bodily harm, sexual assault, and murder.
The Prime Minister said once the law is enacted, amendments to the Firearms Act will follow to allow easier access to legal firearms. “Then you can legally ‘empty the clip,’” she quipped.
The government will also work with the Commissioner of Police to streamline the pepper spray application process, authorizing senior officers at police stations to approve applications in urgent situations, particularly domestic violence threats.
Noise, party, and fireworks regulations coming
Persad-Bissessar also announced pending legislative changes concerning the regulation of public events and noise nuisance. The government plans to enforce mandatory cut-off times for outdoor fetes and music trucks that operate outside enclosed buildings. While exemptions will be made for festivals, she said music trucks have become “a scourge” to communities, especially affecting the ill and elderly.
Citizens will also be allowed to hire their own attorneys to represent their concerns at bar and party license hearings — a move aimed at ensuring community voices are properly heard.
Additionally, fireworks legislation will be introduced in the next term, outlining specific days and periods when fireworks use will be allowed.
“We’ll make it happen,” Persad-Bissessar told supporters. “Progress will take some time, it will require considerable effort, and will involve making some tough decisions to level the playing field.”
