MPs today vote on legislation making parents responsible for their children's behaviour — with seven out of ten residents hoping they pass it.

The Parental Responsibility Act — which would see badly behaved children put under supervision of Child and Family Services and their parents hauled before the courts — is widely considered a drastic but necessary step to help keep Bermuda's young people on track. In a Royal Gazette poll this month, 69 percent of voters said they support the bill, with 20 percent against and 11 percent unsure.

A breakdown of results shows consistent backing among men and women, blacks and whites, and people of almost all ages.

The only real element of opposition comes from those in the 25 to 34 age bracket, of which 31 percent are against the idea — but even in that group 68 percent are in favour.

The Parental Responsibility bill, which also introduces British-style anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) for children and the possibility of 90-day curfews, is one of a number of major debates in what's expected to be a very lengthy House of Assembly session today.

Attorney General Kim Wilson says the general public believes it's time for parents to start taking responsibility for their children's behaviour. However, one family lawyer yesterday raised concerns that implementing the legislation could place a heavy burden on the courts and the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS).

Katie Richards, of Wakefield Quin, said the bill risks being toothless unless enough resources are poured into the courts and DCFS to cope.

Ms Richards said the DCFS will play an integral role in determining whether ASBOs or parenting orders are issued, as well as providing supervision for children for up to 12 months.

"The DCFS does what it can within its current available resources and has an already overstretched workload," she said.

"It is imperative that there is no delay in the Department's capacity to provide the necessary information to the court."

Ms Richards said the courts would also have an increased workload dealing with cases and related applications.

"Given that the Family Court is already, through no fault of its own, dealing with a reported backlog of 5,000 family law files, sufficient court time and available magistrates will still be essential to avoid any unnecessary delay," she said.

The United Bermuda Party and Bermuda Democratic Alliance have both spoken of the need for parental responsibility legislation. There could be a feeling of deja-vu later today when, for the second week in succession, double jeopardy legislation comes to the fore.

The difference this time is that the Progressive Labour Party is expected to take part in the debate over the Court of Appeal Amendment Act, which abolishes the principle preventing someone being tried twice for the same crime.

Last week, UBP MP John Barritt withdrew his bill of the same name when it became clear the PLP was going to vote against it, paving the way for Sen. Wilson's slightly different version today. Earlier this week, campaigners for justice over the botched Becky Middleton murder case called for the AG to rework the legislation to make it retroactive, so cases from the past could be open to retrial when fresh and compelling new evidence comes to light.

Continuing the crime theme, former Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton will bring his private members' motion creating a joint select committee on gun violence. Mr. Horton says his plan — which would involve MPs from all parties meeting to discuss solutions to gang problems — has backing from his PLP colleagues, while it's also won public support from both Opposition parties. UBP Whip Cole Simons will complete a busy day of orders by pushing forward his motion to set up a code of conduct for MPs.

Mr. Simons says the discussion is timely, given the ongoing row over Works Minister Derrick Burgess' controversial "slave's children" remark to UBP deputy leader Trevor Moniz.

"We are in leadership roles and as a consequence I think we need to lead by example and set some performance standards," he said. "A lot of Bermudians do not think that highly of MPs. It's well deserved based on the performance."

Earlier in the day, MPs will work their way through legislation allowing international companies to buy hospitality units on hotel properties.

This will be done through the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Tourist Accommodation and Hotel Residences) Regulations; the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Land-Holding Charges) Amendment Regulations; the Bermuda Immigration and Protection (Rental and Use) Amendment Regulations; and the Companies Amendment (No. 2) Act. Finance Minister Paula Cox yesterday said the bills were in line with a commitment made in her Budget statement, adding: "The expectation is that the measure will act as a catalyst to spur investment in Bermuda hotel developments."