Overview

This bill amends the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, making it easier to prosecute organizations for causing deaths through recklessness. It clarifies the definition of "responsible person" and simplifies the offence itself, aiming for clearer legal standards.

Description

The bill modifies the 2007 Act by adding a new subsection (1A) to Section 1. This subsection establishes that an organisation is guilty of corporate homicide if a "responsible person," acting within their employment scope, recklessly causes a death. The definition of "responsible person" is expanded to include anyone who supervises, manages, or organises any person or activities on behalf of the organization as part of their duties. The bill also replaces references to specific offences in subsection 5 with the single term "corporate homicide" for clarity. The amendments will apply to the same extent as the original act and come into force 90 days after passage.

Government Spending

The bill is unlikely to have a significant direct impact on government spending. The costs will primarily relate to potential prosecutions and court cases arising from the changes in the law. No specific figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:
•Organisations: Businesses and other organizations face increased legal risks of prosecution for corporate homicide if their employees act recklessly and cause a death.
•Employees: Employees in positions of responsibility within organizations could face personal legal consequences if their actions lead to corporate homicide charges.
•Families of victims: Families of those killed due to corporate recklessness could see an increase in successful prosecutions and potential compensation.

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