Overview

This bill amends the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 to clarify and strengthen the definition of corporate homicide, making it easier to prosecute organisations for deaths caused by recklessness.

Description

The bill modifies the 2007 Act by adding a new subsection (1A) to Section 1. This new subsection establishes that an organisation commits an offence if a "responsible person," acting within their employment, recklessly causes a person's death. The definition of "responsible person" is also broadened to include anyone who supervises, manages, or organizes people or activities on behalf of the organisation. The bill also updates the Act's title references to reflect the changes. The changes will come into force 90 days after the bill is passed.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any changes to government spending. The impact on government spending would likely be indirect, potentially through increased costs associated with investigations and prosecutions, or through potential compensation claims. No figures are provided in the bill itself.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:
• Organisations: The bill increases the risk of prosecution for organisations whose employees act recklessly, leading to fatalities. This could lead to fines and reputational damage.
• Employees: Individuals in supervisory or managerial roles could face increased scrutiny and potential legal consequences if their actions are deemed reckless and result in death.
• Victims' families: The bill could potentially make it easier to secure successful prosecutions, leading to a greater chance of justice for victims’ families.

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