wedlock.

Government and Opposition MPs joined forces in approving The Affiliation Amendment Act 1996.

Parliamentary Secretary for Women's Issues Grace Bell explained the bill would ensure maintenance payments are continued for children over 18 who are born out of wedlock.

This would put such children in the same bracket as those whose parents are married.

Mrs. Bell said single-parents had been carrying a financial burden up to now.

The House passed the legislation on Tuesday morning during their last sitting before the summer recess.

Shadow Minister of Legislative Affairs & Women's Issues Lois Browne Evans said the Progressive Labour Party welcomed the bill.

Mrs. Browne Evans said it had taken lobbying by women for the legislation to come forward.

"I know all the men will vote for it in the House,'' she said.

Former Premier Sir John Swan said: "We endorse the measures contained in the bill.

"It is appropriate that we all accept our responsibilities.'' Earlier this year, MP and former Cabinet Minister Ann Cartwright DeCouto had pressed for a change in the law.

She told The Royal Gazette the welfare of children born out of wedlock was thrown into jeopardy if their parents split up.

Mrs. Cartwright DeCouto said the Affiliation Act 1976 empowered the court to make an order for maintenance for children born out of wedlock.

"Under this Act there is no power to order payments to go past the child's 18th birthday, so if the child is at Bermuda College or university, the father of the child born out of wedlock cannot be ordered to pay.'' This contrasted with the Matrimonial Causes Act 1974, the law governing payments by married couples.

"Payments for children can be ordered by the court until those kids are no longer dependents -- the children can go through Bermuda College or university or whatever, until whatever relevant point of time they are no longer dependent.''