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ANYONE convicted of a home invasion can soon face up to 25 years in prison and/or a $750,000 fine, after the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill 2025 overcame its first legislative hurdle, being passed by simple majority in the House of Representatives.

Over the course of a marathon sitting of more than nine hours, on Wednesday, the bill which was piloted by Attorney General John Jeremie, passed with 23 government MPs voting “aye” and ten opposition MPs voting “no.” The next hurdle is the Senate, where the bill will be debated.

Posting on the X social media platform, after the Bill’s passage, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said, “Citizens, I am pleased to announce that moments ago the Home Invasion (Self-Defence and Defence of Property) Bill, 2025 was passed in the House of Representatives.