Legislation tightening up Bermuda’s laws over adoption and psychological practice passed through the Senate yesterday.The Psychological Practitioners Amendment Act firms up requirements on qualification, training and experience.Junior Health Minister Cromwell Shakir told the Senate that psychologists currently require proof they have completed 100 hours psychological services per year in two of the past three years; or that they have completed a required level of education.Senator Shakir said the Act would mean both requirements are necessary, instead of just one or the other.Shadow Health Minister Kathy Michelmore, who said the One Bermuda Alliance supports the amendments, told the Senate psychologists are already following that principle anyway.Sen Shakir also said a restriction stopping psychologists from practising when they reach old age is being lifted by the Act.It’s intended that will allow more people to practise, easing the workload on those currently operating who are said to be struggling to cope with the impact of gun crime on victims and families of victims and perpetrators.Also yesterday, the Adoption of Children Amendment Act, which attempts to stop the illegal black market adoption of children from overseas, passed with support from the OBA and Independent Senators.The amendment moves the Island into line with international standards and means children can only be brought into Bermuda for adoption from approved jurisdictions.Senator Michelmore noted the legislation refers to Bermudians, spouses of Bermudians and permanent residents; she asked whether it’s possible for other residents to adopt children.“We would not like to see a situation where a child has an opportunity to be adopted into a loving home and is denied purely because of residency requirements,” she said.Independent Senator Joan Dillas-Wright echoed Sen Michelmore’s concern, and stressed the importance of children being brought up in a safe environment.Government Senate Leader Kim Wilson said Bermuda needs to set the bar by ensuring checks and balances are in place to stop children being subjected to abuse.