Trinidad gov’t introduces bill requiring mandatory permits for fireworks use

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is urging Parliament to support sweeping new regulations on fireworks, calling the Summary Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2025, a long-awaited measure to protect citizens from years of harm caused by unregulated use.

Speaking on the legislation on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said the country has endured nearly a decade of trauma linked to indiscriminate fireworks—from terrified children and animals to fires, injuries, property damage and hospitalisations. She also referenced reports of an alleged death of a three-day-old infant.

Despite repeated warnings from medical professionals, teachers, T&TEC, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA), and advocacy groups, “no meaningful action was taken under the former administration,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar told Parliament that her Government moved within seven months of taking office to bring forward “comprehensive reforms rooted in science, expert review, and public demand.”

Key measures in the bill

The legislation proposes, among other things:

• Mandatory permits for discharging fireworks except in limited holiday windows

• Restricted zones around hospitals, airports, zoos, farms, animal shelters, Forest Reserves, and National Parks

• Fixed-penalty tickets and increased enforcement powers for the police

• Updated evidence rules allowing mobile recordings in prosecutions

• Regulations governing safety, storage, operator accountability and traceability

The Prime Minister said these reforms are crucial ahead of Christmas, New Year’s, and Carnival—periods that historically see the highest misuse.

“The new framework aims to ensure that ‘nights of chaos become nights of calm,’ especially for babies, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and animals,” she said.

Persad-Bissessar underscored that the Law Reform Commission and Joint Select Committee found widespread evidence of injuries, respiratory complications, security risks—including fireworks being used in improvised explosive devices—noise levels exceeding 120 decibels, and persistent enforcement failures. Under previous laws, only five charges were laid in five years.

The Prime Minister also pointed to her years of advocacy while in Opposition and said the Bill delivers on commitments to regulate fireworks and protect vulnerable groups.

Since assuming office, she said the Government has already cancelled loud Independence Day fireworks, allowed only silent displays, adopted the LRC’s recommendations, and secured Cabinet approval for the Bill. The reforms have since received support from animal-welfare organisations, disability advocates and national safety groups.

“This Bill is grounded in humanity, dignity, and justice,” she said. “After years of pleas from our people, today we listen. Today we act. Promises made. Promises kept.”

The Government is calling on all MPs to back the legislation in the interest of national safety and community welfare.