A bill to establish the Building Act 2011, a sweeping overhaul of Jamaica’s building code, has been tabled in the House of Representatives.

The bill would repeal to acts, both of which are more than a century old: the Kingston and St Andrew Building Act of 1883 and the Parish Councils Building Act of 1908.

“The building code will significantly reduce or eliminate the practice of granting exemptions, which currently exist, and it will also bind the government of Jamaica,” the text of the bill states.

The law would also give recognition to relevant provisions of the National Heritage Trust Act, which would require that the Trust be consulted before structures of historical value are demolished, Any such demolition, according to the bill, would need to be undertaken by qualified personnel and be done according to specific standards.

Also included are provisions involving accessibility for disabled persons.

–Jamaica Information Service