A law change that updates oversight for charities was passed in the Upper House yesterday.

The Charities Amendment (No. 2) Act 2026, which was moved by Lindsay Simmons, the Junior Minister of Youth, Social Development and Seniors, was among several pieces of legislation passed by the Senate.

MPs approved the laws in the House of Assembly on Friday.

The amendment to the Charities Act 2014 gave clarity to the distinction between registered and exempted charities, the procedure for exemptions from registration, and the treatment of privately funded charities including confidentiality protections.

It replaces references to money laundering and terrorist financing in the Charities Act 2014 with a broader definition of financial crime.

Ms Simmons told the Upper House that enhanced oversight will only be given to charities “with high exposure to tariff financing risks”.

About eight charities fit in the bracket, she added.

The Upper House also passed the Trustee Amendment Act 2026, which amends the Trustee Act 1975 and streamlines record-keeping requirements.

Ryan Robinson Perinchief, the Minister of National Security, said the Bill aligns the island’s trusts legislation with the revised Financial Action Taskforce.

Senators approved the Beneficial Ownership Amendment Act 2026, which also aligns Bermuda with FATF obligations.

The Registration (Births and Deaths) Amendment Act 2026 got the green light, to reduce the risk of identity theft from birth records.

Lauren Bell, a government senator, said the legislation represented “a practical and necessary reform”.

She said: “It will strengthen protections against identity theft, enhance public confidence in the administration of Bermuda’s civil registration records and align our legislative framework with contemporary standards of privacy and security.”