Recent Bills

• The Veterinary Practice Bill establishes the Veterinary Council as the regulatory body for veterinarians in Singapore, responsible for registration, regulation, and discipline of veterinary practice.
• It outlines different classes of registration for veterinarians and specialists, detailing requirements for obtaining and renewing practising certificates, along with the standards of practice and ethical conduct.
• Provisions for offences related to unauthorized veterinary practice, false qualifications, and misconduct are included, with penalties of fines or imprisonment for violations.
• A comprehensive disciplinary framework is established for investigating complaints, conducting inquiries, and imposing sanctions on veterinarians, including the formation of various committees (Complaints Assessment, Disciplinary, Interim Orders).
• The Bill includes miscellaneous provisions regarding investigation powers, recommendations for regulatory regulations, and consequential amendments to related laws, providing for the transition of existing licensed veterinarians to a new registration system.

The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Energy Conservation Act 2012 to enhance regulations around energy-efficient goods. The bill introduces definitions for "import" and clarifies "effective date" and "regulated goods." It prohibits the import of regulated goods that do not meet prescribed requirements and empowers the Director-General to impose conditions on registrations. Additionally, it allows service notifications via email and provides for regulations governing non-compliant advertisements accessible in Singapore.

The Supplementary Supply (FY 2025) Bill authorizes additional funding for the financial year running from April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026. A total of up to $1,087,355,800 will be drawn from the Consolidated Fund and up to $2,161,019,900 from the Development Fund to meet unplanned expenditure. The funds will be allocated to various governmental departments and development purposes as specified in the accompanying schedule. This bill is designed to address expenditures exceeding that which was authorized by the Supply Act 2025. The total extra financial expenditure allowed by the bill will not exceed $3,248,375,700.

The Supply Act 2026 authorizes the release of funds from the Consolidated and Development Funds for the financial year from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. A total sum of up to $158.96 billion from the Consolidated Fund and $49.01 billion from the Development Fund is approved for various expenditure categories as detailed in the schedule. The Bill outlines appropriations for key government sectors including health, education, and transport. The total estimated expenditure for the year is capped at $207.98 billion. The Bill comes into effect on 1 April 2026.

• The Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) (Amendment) and Other Matters Bill aims to amend existing laws surrounding the control of tobacco products and introduce stricter regulations on vaporisers and imitation tobacco products.
• It seeks to establish prohibitions on the importation, sale, possession, and consumption of tobacco products containing specified psychoactive substances, as well as provisions for the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals consuming these substances.
• The Bill proposes the renaming of the Tobacco (Control of Advertisements and Sale) Act to the Tobacco and Vaporisers Control Act and includes significant penalties for violations, including imprisonment and substantial fines.
• It introduces new Sections related to the control of specific psychoactive substances and sets forth rules for evidence and enforcement applicable to offences involving these substances, including presumptions of possession and knowledge.
• The legislation amends the Poisons Act 1938 and includes provisions to ensure smooth transitions as certain psychoactive substances move from being controlled drugs to specified psychoactive substances under the new regulations.

The Coastal Protection and Other Amendments Bill aims to improve coastal protection measures in Singapore in response to climate change and rising sea levels. The bill proposes to amend the Public Utilities Act 2001 and the Sewerage and Drainage Act 1999. The key points include establishing a regulatory framework for coastal protection measures, defining responsibilities for routine maintenance and compliance, and enabling financial support for coastal management activities. It also allows for designating areas requiring enhanced coastal protection and includes provisions for penalties for non-compliance with coastal management standards.

• The Land Transport and Related Matters Bill amends several acts related to land transport, including the Active Mobility Act, to broaden the definition of mobility vehicles and create a mandatory registration framework.
• A new requirement for a "certificate of medical need" is introduced to ensure only individuals with verified medical needs can drive or ride certain mobility vehicles on public paths.
• The bill establishes stricter enforcement against non-compliant and unregistered mobility vehicles, including penalties for individuals and platform operators violating these regulations.
• Amendments are made to the Land Transport Authority of Singapore Act to give the authority additional powers for regulating unsafe devices and promoting the use of clean energy vehicles.
• The Small Motorised Vehicles (Safety) Act is expanded to include provisions against the keeping of unsafe devices and associated penalties for violations.

The Public Sector (Governance) (Amendment) Bill aims to enhance the framework for sharing and using information controlled by Singapore public sector agencies. It introduces definitions and amendments related to data sharing and use directions, enabling agencies to share information not only with other public agencies but also with non-public sector entities upon ministerial authorization. The Bill establishes legal provisions to address unauthorized disclosures and uses of shared information by individuals associated with non-public sector entities, imposing penalties for violations. Additionally, it amends related legislation, including the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 and several other Acts, to align with the new provisions.

The National Council of Social Service (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the National Council of Social Service Act 1992 and make related changes to the Income Tax Act 1947 and the Public Sector (Governance) Act 2018. Key points include the reconstitution of the Council to better fulfill its role as a sector developer in social services, the introduction of a new category of "sector members," updates to the Council's objectives, and amendments to financial and governance provisions. The Act will also include various regulations and procedures related to membership, appointment, and appeals processes for sector members.

• The Health Information Bill establishes a statutory framework for a national electronic records system to manage health information securely, enabling contributions, access, collection, and disclosure of health data for specified purposes.
• Individuals' consent is not required for the collection and use of health information in the system, provided the actions align with the Act's provisions.
• Contributors, which include licensed healthcare providers and pharmacies, are mandated to contribute specific health data while approved contributors can be designated by the Minister.
• The Bill outlines stringent cybersecurity and data management requirements, including responsibilities for reporting data breaches and managing access to health information.
• Legal protections are provided for contributors and users acting in good faith according to the Act, shielding them from liability for breaches of confidentiality or improper disclosure of data in compliance with the law.

The Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the Singapore Sports Council Act 1973 to enhance the Council's functions and powers. The Bill introduces definitions for "mind sports" and expands the definition of "sports" to include e-sports and physical fitness activities. It increases the maximum number of Council members from 15 to 25 and allows for a higher quorum for meetings. The Council's functions are expanded to include research, establishment of institutions for developing athletes, and setting standards for sports and physical fitness activities. Provisions related to pensions are removed, and the bill ensures no additional government expenditure is required.

• The Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill aims to enhance online safety and provide redress for victims of online harmful activities by establishing a Commissioner of Online Safety and creating statutory rights for court proceedings.
• It defines various online harmful activities, including online harassment, doxxing, intimate image abuse, and the publication of false material, establishing legal obligations and liabilities for individuals, online service providers, and administrators of online platforms.
• The Bill outlines procedures for reporting online harmful activities and empowers the Commissioner to issue directions and orders to address such activities, including access blocking and engagement reduction orders.
• It creates new torts related to online harmful activities, enabling victims to seek remedies and damages in civil court, and imposes responsibilities on online service providers and administrators in responding to harm notices.
• Amendments to existing laws, such as the Defamation Act and Protection from Harassment Act, are included to ensure consistency with the new provisions related to online safety and accountability.

The Workplace Fairness (Dispute Resolution) Bill amends the Workplace Fairness Act 2025 to introduce mediation for workplace fairness disputes and establish civil actions for statutory discrimination torts. Key provisions include requiring mediation requests before initiating legal actions, outlining processes for bringing discrimination claims in the General Division of the High Court and Employment Claims Tribunals, and defining various roles, such as an "approved mediator." The bill also makes consequential amendments to related laws, enhancing the legal framework for addressing workplace discrimination and improving dispute resolution mechanisms. Additionally, the bill details jurisdictional limits for claims and procedures for settling disputes through mediation.

• The Finance (Income Taxes) Bill 2025 proposes amendments to the Income Tax Act 1947 and the Multinational Enterprise (Minimum Tax) Act 2024, along with related changes to the Goods and Services Tax Act 1993.
• Key changes include the introduction of tax exemptions for income from renewable energy activities, enhancements to tax treatment for certain employee-related payments, and adjustments to existing tax incentives for shipping investment companies and structures.
• The bill allows for a corporate tax rebate of 50% for the year of assessment 2025, capped at $40,000, with a cash grant of $2,000 under specific conditions.
• It makes provisions for backdating regulations related to various tax exemptions and deductions for activities involving debt securities and renewable energy.
• The bill outlines a framework for transitional regulations to be enacted within two years following its publication, providing flexibility in implementation.

The Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill proposes various changes pertaining to the punishment for scam-related offences in Singapore. The key points include:

• Introduction of caning as a punishment for certain scam-related offences, with specific provisions for individuals involved in related criminal activities.
• Amendments to existing laws to remove mandatory caning for specific offences while allowing for discretion in court regarding corporal punishment in certain cases.
• The bill establishes new legal definitions and penalties for "scam offences" and "serious scam offences," including updates to laws surrounding the handling of obscene materials and online activities.
• Enhanced court procedures for young offenders between the ages of 14 and 21, specifying conditions under which reformative training may be imposed.
• Various legislative amendments across multiple acts, including increases in penalties for specific offences, and the introduction of new offences related to the false publication of public servant information.

The Regulation of Imports and Exports (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to amend the Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 1995 to establish a framework for issuing trade information certificates by authorized certificate issuers. The amendments introduce provisions to regulate the definition, issuance, and responsibilities related to these certificates, including penalties for false or misleading information. The Bill also enhances enforcement powers for investigating offences related to trade information certificates, including provisions for the seizure of goods and cash if necessary. Additionally, it includes a mechanism for appeals against decisions made by the Director-General, along with transitional provisions for existing authorized organizations.

• The Corporate and Accounting Laws (Amendment) Bill aims to amend the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority Act 2004 and various related acts to enhance regulatory functions and ensure compliance.
• Key amendments include expanding the Registrar's powers to enforce compliance, disqualifying individuals with money laundering convictions from serving as directors, and modifying the requirements for company information accessibility.
• The bill raises penalties for certain financial misconduct, streamlines the procedures for the dissolution and restoration of companies, and enhances collaboration with foreign audit regulators.
• New provisions require public accountants to clearly identify themselves in audit reports and set regulations for managing proliferation financing alongside existing financial crime requirements.
• Additional amendments concern procedural efficiency, such as shortening notification periods for corporate changes, removing outdated statutory requirements, and ensuring timely publication of changes to company registrations.

The Transport Sector (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2025 proposes various amendments to land and sea transport legislation, as well as related adjustments to the Public Utilities Act. The bill includes changes to the Bus Services Industry Act to enhance regulations for bus operations and conduct at bus depots and interchanges. New provisions will allow for security screenings and prohibit dangerous items on buses and at bus interchanges, introducing penalties for violations. Additionally, amendments to sea transport laws will address fees related to depositing materials in waterways and update provisions relating to vessel regulations. The bill also includes clauses for transitional provisions to ensure continuity of existing authorizations and regulations.

The Electronic Conveyancing and Other Matters Bill aims to amend several acts to facilitate electronic transactions in real estate. It establishes a framework for conducting conveyancing transactions electronically, including the use of secure electronic signatures. The bill introduces provisions for remote witnessing of the execution of electronic instruments related to lasting powers of attorney, enhancing accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility. It also grants the Housing and Development Board (HDB) the ability to use electronic seals instead of traditional common seals. Additionally, the bill reinforces the legal standing of electronically-signed documents and amends the Mental Capacity Act for consistency with these changes.

The Statutes (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill seeks to implement diverse amendments across multiple Acts. The key points include enhancements to various laws related to the service of documents, including provisions for electronic communication. It updates definitions and repeals outdated references in various healthcare-related legislation, aligning them with the Healthcare Services Act 2020. The bill also introduces guidelines regarding the responsibilities of employers concerning employee health insurance premiums. Furthermore, it revises legal frameworks related to housing, biomedical research, and other regulatory areas, while also addressing financial processes involving the Consolidated Fund. Notably, it aims to enhance the clarity and compatibility of existing laws without leading to additional public expenditure.