Mothers and fathers who are trying their best should have nothing to fear from tough new parenting laws, Attorney General Kim Wilson said yesterday.

Sen. Wilson says some parents are worried they could fall foul of the Parental Responsibility Act because their children do something wrong even though they're making genuine efforts to bring them up properly.

But the Justice Minister stressed the law — which could lead to fines for parents of nuisance children — is aimed at those with an "I don't care" attitude.

And she urged single moms who feel their hands are tied due to absentee fathers to make sure they take advantage of resources already available.

"A lot of people are ringing in [talk shows] to say, 'I'm doing what I can, but I'm going to be the one that's going to be brought up before the courts because of my child's behaviour,'" the AG told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"But this is not intended to target parents whose children do something as a one-off. This is for the parent that says, 'I don't care; it's not my responsibility'."

Sen. Wilson said that, before handing out any orders, the authorities must assess information about the family's social circumstances to determine how much of an effort the parents are making.

She said some single mothers had e-mailed her saying they are finding parenting difficult because the child's father is not helping pay for the upkeep.

"I understand that's a situation you have to deal with," she said. "But have you been to court to enforce the payment?

"You can't blame the system if you haven't availed yourself to it. Working two jobs to make ends meet is difficult, but at the end of the day there are resources available. Not just money — learning resources as well."

The bill, tabled in the House of Assembly last Friday, means children could be placed under the supervision of Child and Family Services for up to 12 months if they're deemed at risk of getting involved in crime or anti-social behaviour.

Sen. Wilson explained yesterday: "Placing the child under supervision of Child and Family Services means the department acts as a supervisory role, to provide useful oversight to ensure the situation doesn't spiral out of control and to provide the resources the parents-family unit may require."

The act would also force parents of nuisance children to attend counselling sessions for up to three months and make them pay up to $10,000 for wilful damage caused by their children.

Sen. Wilson reflected yesterday: "It's a sad reality that Bermuda, like other jurisdictions, is in crisis. Who would have thought that we would have to legislate parenting?

"But we have to recognise what the studies are showing about the relationship between parents and children — parents should be held accountable and responsible for their children's behaviour. If not them, then who?"

Other features of the act are the introduction of anti-social behaviour orders, designed to prevent juveniles causing trouble without criminalising them at an early age; and 90-day curfews which can be imposed by the Justice Minister.

It is expected to be debated by MPs on Friday, July 9, a week before the current Parliamentary session is likely to finish.