Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

Bill No. 24/2020

Read the first time on 4 May 2020.

An Act to amend the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (1999 Reprint).

Be it enacted by the President with the advice and consent of the Parliament of Singapore, as follows:

Short title

1. This Act is the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 2020.

New Article 64A

2. The Constitution of the Republic of Singapore is amended by inserting, immediately after Article 64, the following Article:

“Continuity of Parliament

64A.—(1) Clause (2) —

(a)

applies for a period of 6 months after the appointed date, and thereafter for a period of 6 months if —

(i)	Parliament resolves that it is or will be impossible, unsafe or inexpedient for Parliament to sit and meet in one place; or
(ii)	the Speaker presents to Parliament a notice in writing given by a majority of all Members of Parliament stating that it is or will be impossible, unsafe or inexpedient for Parliament to sit and meet in one place; but

(b)

ceases to apply if Parliament so resolves at any time, but without prejudice to a fresh resolution under paragraph (a)(i) or a fresh notice under paragraph (a)(ii).

(2) When this clause applies —

(a)

if there is only one place appointed under Article 64(2), at least one other place must be appointed;

(b)

arrangements (called in this Article continuity arrangements) may be made for Parliament and its committees to sit, meet and despatch business with Members of Parliament being present at 2 or more appointed places and in contemporaneous communication with one another; and

(c)

those arrangements may be —

(i)	prescribed by Standing Orders or resolution of Parliament; or
(ii)	subject to anything prescribed under sub‑paragraph (i), decided by the Speaker.

(3) A Member of Parliament who takes part in the proceedings of Parliament or its committees under continuity arrangements is taken to be present at those proceedings for all purposes under this Part, including for the purposes of Articles 46(2)(d), 56 and 57(1).

(4) Subject to any law enacted after the appointed date, the privileges, immunities and powers of Parliament and its committees as at the appointed date apply, with any necessary modification, to or in relation to —

(a)	the proceedings of Parliament or its committees under continuity arrangements;
(b)	any appointed place from which a Member of Parliament takes part in the proceedings of Parliament or its committees; and
(c)	a person appearing before or attending Parliament or its committees at any appointed place.

(5) In this Article —

“appointed date” means the date on which the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Act 2020 is published in the Gazette;

“appointed place” means a place appointed by the President under Article 64(2).”.

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