Law will be brought to the Parliament to raise the legal age for gambling and marijuana use to 25 years and over and also increase the legal age for alcohol use to 21 years and older.
And Government is reviewing and amending the tax laws regarding pensions, as Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar believes 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.
Persad-Bissessar announced the developments at last night’s United National Congress (UNC) Monday Report in Penal - first in a series of such meetings.
In her first address reporting to UNC supporters since the party’s April 28 General Election victory, Persad-Bissessar detailed moves for upcoming legislation and other developments regarding the judiciary, Budget 2026 - and her intention to contest the party’s leadership election ahead.
Acknowledging there is no progress unless people feel a positive impact in their lives and pockets, she said, “We’ll make it happen. Progress will take some time, it will require considerable effort, and will involve making some tough decisions to level the playing field, but this is what’s needed; you don’t want the next five years to be terrible as the past ten...”
Persad-Bissessar announced plans she raised during the election campaign - the planned increase in age to 25 for marijuana use and gambling, and 21 years for alcohol use. During the campaign, she’d repeatedly cited the negative effects of marijuana usage on youths and the havoc gambling addiction and alcoholism cause.
On exempting pensions from tax, Persad-Bissessar said, “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.
“This ongoing tax lessens the value of a pension, which is meant to support retirees in their later years, and can feel like double taxation—paying taxes both during working years and in retirement. These taxes strain the finances of seniors, especially those living on fixed or limited incomes, and can be a significant source of frustration.”
She added, “My Government will review and amend the tax laws regarding pensions to reflect fairness and recognition of lifelong contributions paid. Exempting pension income from taxes after age 60 is a fair policy adjustment that acknowledges the service and sacrifices of retirees, while also strengthening social support for the elderly. This ensures that those who have contributed so much are not unduly burdened in their golden years.”
Stand-your-ground law in September
On stand-your-ground legislation against home invasion, Persad-Bissessar said the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill 2025 is drafted and ready to be issued for consultation.
“On Thursday, it will be presented to Cabinet. National consultations will then begin with targeted completion in July. We’ll make any necessary change that comes in. It will be brought to Parliament when it reopens in September,” she added.
The bill provides that:
A person has no duty to retreat when operating in self-defence or defence of his property; that they may use defensive force, including deadly force, to protect himself or his property.
The offence of home invasion would include the unlawful entry by a home invader into a dwelling house with the intent to use force, or threaten the imminent use of force, on occupants.
Also caters for instances in which a home invader intentionally causes injury to occupants of a dwelling house, including grievous bodily harm, grievous sexual assault, rape and death.
For self-defence, use of deadly force may be justified where an occupant reasonably believes force is necessary to prevent death, grievous bodily harm, grievous sexual assault or rape.
As soon as that legislation is implemented, Persad-Bissessar said amendments will be made to the Firearms Act to make it easier to access legal firearms.
“Then you can legally ‘empty the clip,” she quipped.
She said Government will also collaborate with the Police Commissioner to simplify and streamline the pepper spray application process.
“Where possible, senior officers at police stations will be authorised to sign off on applications. This will quicken the process and allow the senior district officer flexibility to make real-time decisions regarding applications where there are imminent threats, particularly domestic violence cases.”
Mandatory cut-off time for outdoor fetes
Persad-Bissessar said Government also intends reviewing legislation for the granting of bar/party licences.
“We’ll enable citizens to hire their own attorneys to represent their interests at licencing hearings. Currently, the police represent the public at hearings. Most of the time, they don’t accurately reflect truthful opinions of citizens who have objections,” she said.
“There will also be legislation for a mandatory cut-off time for all public events requiring a dancehall licence that are not held within an enclosed building, plus legislation regarding the use of music trucks and the cut-off times for music trucks. But there will be exemptions for festivals.
“Music trucks have become a scourge, affecting ill people, and a source of irritation across T&T. Many nights you hear them playing music loudly at late hours. Fireworks legislation will be brought to Parliament and passed in the new term. There will be specific days and periods when persons will be allowed to use fireworks.”