The Senate passed a comprehensive piece of legislation yesterday to lower Bermuda's official age of majority from 21 to 18.

Government Sen. Michael Scott outlined for the Upper House the Age of Majority Act 2001 which addresses references to the age of majority in a slew of past legislation and - with a few exceptions - lowers that age.

Sen. Scott said the legislation was an example of Government's commitment to "equal opportunity for all".

The change arose out of demand from the private sector, public sector realities and attempts to meet the terms of the United Nations International Convention on the Rights of the Child, he said.

The new Act lists other legislation which is affected by the age drop and laws that are not.

Notable exceptions within the new legislation are that the age for marrying without parental consent and for sitting as an MP or Senator remains fixed at 21 years.

But 18-year-olds will now be able to enter into contractual agreements with banks and other institutions, Sen. Scott said, which was one area that the private sector in particular had wanted to see addressed.

The Opposition did not object to the new Act although Sen. Kim Swan pointed out references to age of majority within the Constitution would also be affected.

And he suggested, should there be a Constitutional conference, this might be addressed among other larger issues.

Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes pointed out that changing the age of majority adds new obligations and responsibilities to young people as well as new rights.

And he questioned Sen. Scott on what effect the new legislation would have on young men in prison between the ages of 18 and 21 who previously might have been allowed to remain in the youth training school rather than prison at the recommendation of the Parole Board.

Sen. Scott replied that Police and Prison authorities had also voiced that concern and that the matter was under consideration.