QU OF NT AT A FE RU

BERMUDA

REFERENDUM (SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS) ACT 2016

2016 : 13

WHEREAS it is expedient to provide for the holding of a referendum on whether or not marriage or civil union between two people of the same sex should be permitted in Bermuda; Be it enacted by The Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and the House of Assembly of Bermuda, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

Citation

1 This Act may be cited as the Referendum (Same Sex Relationships) Act 2016.

Interpretation

2 This Act is to be read and construed as one with the Referendum Act 2012.

Holding of referendum

1. 3 A referendum shall be held on the following questions:

2. Are you in favour of same sex civil unions in Bermuda?

Repeals and replaces section 9 of the Referendum Act 2012

4 Section 9 of the Referendum Act 2012 is repealed and replaced by—

“Publication of revised parliamentary register for referendum

9 Where the Premier publishes a referendum notice pursuant to section 7—

(a) section 26A of the Parliamentary Election Act 1978; and

REFERENDUM (SAME SEX RELATIONSHIPS) ACT 2016

(b) for the avoidance of doubt, section 10(4) of that Act, shall apply with necessary modifications, as if the reference in those sections to the Governor issuing a writ of election were a reference to the Premier publishing the referendum notice.”.

[Assent Date: 28 March 2016]

[Operative Date: 28 March 2016]