Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698830584659.pdf (Sierra Leone)
ACT Supple r,ent to the Sierra Leone Gazette Yol' CLXII4 No"40 dated 22nd June" 2023 THE I'ARLIAMENT ACT 2{J23 ARRANGEIvTENT OF SECTIONS PARTI-PRELTMINARY Sections l. Interprrcmtion.

PARTII_ESTABLISHMENToFTHEPARLI,AMENIARYCoMMISSION 2.

Establishment ofParliamentary Commission' 3.

Tenure ofmembers.

4.

FunctionofCommissiorr.

5.

Meetings of Commission- 6.

Allowances of Members ofCommission' 1.

Committees ofCommission.

PARTIII_LEADERSTilPANDGoVERNANCEoFPARLIAMENT 8 kadership of Parliament.

9.
9.

SpeakerofParliament.

10.

Deputy SpeakerofParliament.

I l. Leader of Government Business.

12.

Deputy Leader of Government Business' 13.

Leader of OPPosition- 14.

Deputy Leader of OPPosition.

15.

Other Parly Leaders.

16.

ChiefWhip.

17.

Deputy Chief WhiP.

18.

Opposition WhiP 19.

Depury OPPosition WhiP 2A.

Cfrarman oiparamount Chief Members of Parliament 21.

President, Female Caucus.

PARTIV-ESTABLISHMENToFTHEPARLTAMENTARYSERVICE 22.

Parliamentar)'Service- 23.


Functions of Parliaurentary Service' lt A.

Management Board.

25.

ClerkofParliament.

26.

Deputy Clerk ofParliament" n. Director-General" 28.

Commission to appoint Consultants.

29.

Directorates of the Parliamentary Service.

PART V _ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIALISED OF'TICES 30.

Specialised Offices 31.

Functions ofthe Office of the Law Clerk 32.

Autonomy of the Offrce of the Law Clerk 33.

Office ofthe Law ClerkRePort 34.

Offrce ofthe Law Clerk, Deprrty and Other Staff' 35.
Qualification of the Law Clerk and Deputy 'J6.

Functions of the Parliamentary Budget Oftice 37.

Autonomy ofthe Parliamentary Budget Office 38.

Parliamentary Budget Office Reports 39.

Director ofthe Budget Offrce A0.

Deputy Director of the Rudget Office 41.

Other Officers/Staffofthe Budget Office 42.

Co-operation 43.

Fturctions of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies 44.

Board of the Centre for Parliamentary Studies 45.


Composition of the Board of the Centre ftrr Strategy and Parliamentary Studies 4.

Funds of the Ceutre for Strategy and Parliamentary Studies PART VI -FTNANC]AL PTIOVISIONS 47.

Annua.l budget of Parliament.

48- FundsofParliament.

49.

Accounts and records" 50.

Annual report.

PART VII _SALARIES AN'D OTHER BENEFITS 51.

Ccnditions of Service.

PART VIII _ MISCELLANEOUS 9.

Retirement of Members of the Parliamentary Service^ 53.
Creationand AbolitionofOfficers.

54.

Secondment 55.

Study Leave.

56.

Regulations.

57.

Repeal.

Srctreo this 2nd day of MaY , 2023 DR. JULIUS MAADA BIO, President.

@ No" 26 2023 Sierra Leone TIIE PARLIAMENT ACT' 2$23 Short title.

BeirrganActtoprovidefortheestablishmentofParliamentary Commission, to provide for the leadership and governance struchlre of Parliamen!
to provide for the establbhment of the Parliamentary Service, to provirle for salaries and other benefits of Members of Parliament and staffand to provide forother related matters' tl Datc of corn- mencement.

EN.qc.rrobythePresidentandMembersofParliamentinthis present Parl iarnent assembled.

a No.

?6 The Parliament Act 2$23 PARTI_PRELIMINARY lnterpfetation.
L In this Acq unless the context othenvise requires- "Chief Whip" means a member of the governing pagr in Parliament appointed from among me,mbers ofhis party whose role is to ensure that members of his party are disciplined in Parliament; "Clerk of Parliament" means the Clerk of Parliament appointed under section 82 of the Constihrtion of Sierra LeoneActNo.
6 of l99l ; "Commission" means the Parliamentary Commission established by section 2; "Deputy Chief Whip" means a Member of Parliament whose role is to deputise the Chief Whip; "Deputy l,eader of Government Business" meatrs the Leader in Parliament whose role is to deprrtise the Leader of Gove.mrnent Business; "Deputy Leader of Opposition" means the Leader in Parliament whose role is to deputise tlte l-eader of Opposition; "Director-Ceneral" means the Director-Ceneral ofthe Parliamentary Service appointed by the Parliamentary Service Commission; "Female Caucus" means the asssembly of all female Memebers of Parliament that meet to pursue common legislative odjectives: "Financial year" means a p€riod of one year ending on the 3lst day of December; "Goveming Party" means the parly in Parliament whose Government is in pow€r; "[.,eader of Government Business" meurs the Leader in Parliament whose parly is in Government; No.
26 The Parliotuen Act 2023 3 "i-eader ofoppositiou" means the l-erader in Paliament rvhose role is to lead the business of the opposition in Parliamettq "Opposidon Parql means the party in Parliament otller ihan the Goviming Party with the most seats in Partiament aft€r presidential and parliamentary el€ctions; "Opposition Whip" means a member of Parliament ,o16inted bv the opposition whose role is to ersure that membirs olf,is party are disciplined in Parliament; "Other Parties" mearr othcr panies represenled in Parliament other than the governing or the opposition padies; "Paramount Chief Members of Parliam€nt" means Darafiount chiefs elected ro rrpresent the fou een 'ooliricat districs in parliarnent in accordance witb scction 74(l )a of the Constitution of Sierra ['eooe ActNo.6ofl99l" "Parliament" means the arm of government as established by s€ction 73 it) of 'Jre Constitution of Sierra L,enneAct No.6 of l99l .
''Parliamentarv Service" means the Parliamentary Sen'ice es'af,lished under subsection (l) of section T'.

"President Female Caucus" means the l'eader ofall females in Parliament that meet to pursue common legislative objectives; "Soeaker" means ttc Speaker of Parliament elected under seclion ?9 of the Constitr ioo of Siena LeoneictNo.6 ofl99l as amended' "DeDutv SDeaker" means the Deputy Speaker of piairn.it et.c'teO under section 80 of the Constitution of Sierra L,eone,Act No.

6 of l99l as amended.


4 No.26 The Parliament Act 2{t23 PART II - ESTABLISHMENT OF' PARLI,AMRNTARY COMMISSION Establishnrent 2.
(l) There is hereby established a Commission to be of Parliamenrary knorm as the Parliamentary Commission which shall consist of the commission' Speaker, zrs Chairman and &e following other members- (a) The Deputy Speaker as deputy chairmal; O) The Leaders of all Political Parties represented in Parliameng (c) Thc Gorrerning Party Chief lVhip; (d) The Opposition Party Whip; (e) I'he President of the Female Caucus; (0 a Representative of Members of Parliament who have been clected as Independent Candidates; G) 6 other elected Members of Parliament, nominated by Members of Parliament, reflecting as nearly as possible the numerical strength ofthe Political Parties in parliament and shall include gender and disability balance; I No.26 The Parliament Act 2423 5 (h) Chairmanofthe ParamountChiefs in Parlianrenq and O The Clerk of Parliament who shall be Secretary and principal adviser to the Commission.
@ In any case a new Commission shall be constituted in not later than rwo weeks from the election of a new Speaker.
(3) (a) The Clerk of Parliament as Secretaty to the Commission and Prfurcipal adviser to the Chairmur shall be responsible for: (r) preparing, planning and facilihting the meetings of the Commission and its corrrmittees; (ii) causing to be kept recortls of the proceedings and minutes of the meetings of the Commission and such other records a-s the Cxmmission maydirecg fif, communicating the decisions of the Commission for execution by the Management Board; and (iv) performing such other duties as may be assigred by the Commission.
\ I.

6 Ir{o.26 The Parliament Act 2023 Tenure of members.

3.

0) The Chairman and other members shall hold oftice for the duration ofthe life of the Parliament in which they are elected: Provided that the Chairman and other memb€rs shall continue in office until a new Speaker is elected and in the case of the Commissioners until a new Commission is constituted.
(2) A person shall cease to be a member of the Commission on any of the following grounds- (a) inability to perform the firnctions of his ofEce by reason of infimrity of mind or body; (b) for proven misurnduct; (c) if he becomes barkrupt or insolvent; (d) if he is convicted and sentenced for an offence involving faud or dishonesty; (.e) if he fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Commission without reasonable excuse; (f) if he resigns his offrce by wrifien notice to the Chairman ofthe Commission" G) shall cease to hold office on vacatinghis seat in accordance with section 77 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No.
6 of l99l.

No.

26 The Porliament Acl 2023 7 (3) The Chairman ofthe commission shall cease to hold olfic€ when he vacates his office in accordance with subsection 4 of sectiou 79 ofthe Constitution of Sierra Lecne Act No.

6 of I 99 I .

(4) Where a commissioner vacates his seat, dies or become incapacitated a new member shall b€ appointed to hold oftice for the remaining term ofhis predecessor.

4.

(l) The Commission shall have supervisory auhority Fuocrion of (--ommissicn' over Mcmbersof Parliament.
(2) The Commission shall have supervisory, directory and disciplinary authority over the Parliamentary Service- (3) Witho'x prej udicc to the generality of subs€ction ( I ), the Commission shall - (a) dircct th€ Whips, the Ethics and Privileges Committee and the Parliamentary Service to give effect to the provisions of subsection (l ); @) appoint persons, other than the Clerk of Parliament, to hold or act in ofEce as mernbers of the Parliame tary Service and excrcise disciplinary control over such persons.
including suspending or removing such persons; (c) determine the conditionsof service ircluding the grading, promotion and training of the members of the Parliarnenlary Servicc; (d) approve the policy of the Pariiamentary Service and in particular the administrative" human resource and op€rational procedwes ofthe Service; 8 No.26 The Parltanent Act 20'23 (e) cause to be prepared, in each financial year, estimates of revenues and expenditures for Parliament and the Parliamentary Service for the next financial year including expenditures on foreign and local txavels and purchases necessary for the various directorates of the Parliarnentary Service; (0 ensure the provision of such services and facilities as are necessar-v for the proper functioning of Parliantent and the Parliamentary Service; and (g) do such other things as may be neccssary for the smooth operation ofthe Parliamentary Service.
Meetings of Commission 5.

(l) The Commission shall meet at least once e'1ery qllarter for the disparchof its business at such time and place m the Chairman nmy deterrnine.

A In the absence of both the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, the Memben present shall elect one oftheirnumberto act as Chairman.

(3) A majority of the members of the Commission may, by notice in writing signed by them, request the Chainnarr to summon a special meetrng ofthe Comntission for such purposes as shall be stated in ttre notice.
(4) The Chairman or in his absence the Drputy Chairman ;hall summon a special meeting within 5 days of receipt ofttre notice rcferred to in subsection (3).

(5) The Quorum at any meeting of the Commission shall k7 No.26 The Parltament Act 2023 9 (O Any question which arises to be determined by the Commission at any of its meetings shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting and in case of equality of votes, the Chairman or person presiding shall have a c.asting vofe.
(7) The Commission may co-opt a person to attend and participate in its deliberations on any matter but such person shall not vote on any issue for decision by the Commission.

(8) Subject to this Act, the Commission shall regulate the procedures at its meetings.

6.

'lhe Chairman and other members ofthe Commission 5[3ll Allowances of be paid sitting and travelling allowances as may be determined by H#}!
*,:l theCommission and shall be reimbursed bythe Parliamentary Service for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the discharge oftheir functions.

7.
(l) The Commission may, for the discharge of its commiuecs of fi:nctions, appoint one or more committees to perforrn such functions Commission' as the Commission may determine including - (a) Audit and Risk Management Committee which shall comprise 5 rnembers and non-members witb spcial expertise in risk managemenl, accormting, and audit and responsible to - (r) review departnental and institutional risk management plans; (D review audit plans of the Internal Auditor; (O srgn ofronthe intemal audit report before submissinn to the Commission; (rv) ensure ttrat the recommendation of the external audit report of Parliament are tully implemented; l0 No.26 The Parliame* Act 2023 I (v) monitor responses to Audit Man- agement Letters; (vi) review strategic risks facing the Commission; and (vii) update the Commission of the work of theCommiuee; O) Finance and Planning SuMommittee which shall comprise the Chairman, Finance Committee as Chairman and such other Commissioners and staff as the Commission may determine and resPonsible to - $ advise on the re-allocation of fiurds to meet critical priorities or emergencies that enhance the oPeration of Parliamenq (ii) review the financial, procurement, disposal and asset-related policies of ParliamenE (ii$ review the annual financial reports of Parliament; (v0 recommend to the Commission, the type of accounting best practices and standards appropriate to benchmark financial re,porting of Parliarnent; and (v) review Parliament of Sierra Leone financial authority delegation fram- ework No.
26 The Parliarnent Act 2023 'li (c) Corporate Planning Sub{ommittee which shal!
comprise Commissioners and the Director-General of Parliament and in- individuals uith dependent and comp€tenr special expertise in strategic planning and responsible to - (i) develop corPorate plans including, Strategic Plan, Operational Plans' Depatunental Ptans, Risk Management Plans, Monitoring and Evaluation and Performanc€ Plans, and review inputs in the d€velopment process of these plans to ensure they remain fit for purpose and able to address the issues facing the institution; (i) advise on resouEe alignment to ensule corporatE Plans arc implemented and monitored; (iD attend Parliamentary reviews and provide inPuts to add value to the proc€ss; and (iv) receive inputs and quarterl)' status updates from the Cle* ofParlianrent on imPlementation and monitoring of th€ the coryorate Plans of Parliament.
(d) Policy Planning Sub{ommittee which shall comprise 2 Commissioners and such other memben of $aff as thc Commission maY detennine and resPomible to - a No.26 The Parliament Act 2023 (r) review the maupower planning of Parliament and enswe appropriate staff is available to support the work of Parliament; (ii) receive feedback on policy implement- ation and provide advisory support for reviewirrg and or developing new polic- ies to e,nsure effective staft' perforrr- ance; (t D provide suppoft to administative committee on complaints and disciplin- ary issues; and (w) receive quarterly update frorn the Clerk of Parliarnent on the managemem and status ofthe Parliament payroll ensuring transparency and fairness in the man- agement of the payroil.
(2) A Committee under suhsection (l), shall submit a repo( of its proceedings to the Commission at such time as the Commission may determine.

PART III EADERSHIPA}ID GOVERNANCE OF PARLTAMENT Leadcrship of Parliamcrrt.

8.
8.

(l) There shallbe establishedthe Leadenhip ofParliament cornprising the following: Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Clerk of Parliament, Leaders of Political Parties represented in Parliamcnt and their deputies; Chief Whip and kis depury, Opposition Whip and his deputy, President of Female Caucus and Head of Paramount Chief Members of Parliament I(PCMPS).

No.26 The Pailianent Act 2423 l3 9.
The Speaker as head of Parliament shall be responsible spcakcr of Parliament' for the governance cf Parliarnent including - (a) the execution of powen conferred upon tlte Speaker by the Constinrtion and Standing Orders; @) the promotion of the welfare of Members and StaffofParliament; (c) the provision ofstrategic direction for the Commission; (d) managing relations with othet Parliamerrts; (e) dealing with chamber matters relating to I procedures; (0 chairingthe followingcommittees - 0 the flouse Committee; t (ii) the Committee onAbsenteeism; (iii) the Standing Order Committee; (rv) the Public Petition Committee; (v) the Committee of Selection;and (vi) such other matten as may be referred to the Speaker of Parliament bY the Constiurtion, Standing Orders or the Clerk ofParlialrrcnt.
t4 i{o.26 The Parliamcnt Act 2023 Deputy Spcaker of Parliament.

,0.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament shal!

perform such functions as may be delegated by the Speaker of Parliament and shall perform the functions ofthe Office of Speaker where the Speaker is our ofthe juisdiction as provided for in sub section 5 of section 80 oflhe Constitution of Sierra l-eone, Act No.

6 oll1991.

Irader of Governmcnt Business.

for- lr.


The Leader of Government Business shall be responsible (a) all government business in the House; (b) piloting or introducirrg Government Bills and motions in the l-Iouse; (c) getting the Govenrment business through in Parliameuq, (e) leading consultation and dialogue on parliamentary matters with other l-eaders in the House; (0 Chairing tlre following committees - 0 the Business Committee; (ii) the Appointrnents Cornmittee; and (O the Supervisory Committee.
Deputy Lcadcr of Governmcnt Business" l.eader of Opposition.

12.

The Deputy Leadcr ofGovemment Business shall perform such furiction-s as dclegated to him by the l-eadet of Government Business and shall perform the firrctions of the Offrce of Leader of Government tsusiness where the lrader of Govemment Business is absent fiom Parliament.

f 3.

The l-eader of Opposition shall be responsible for - (a) leading the Opposition business in Parliament No.26 The Parliament Acl 2023 l5 14.
The Depury Leader of Opposition shall perforrn such fiel,utv functions as may be detegated to him by the L,eader of Opposition :;"ot' and shall p€rform when he is absent from Parliament.

the firnctions of the Office of Opposition l-eader opposition.

15.
15.

A leader of a party other than the ruling Plrty or lhe othcr?artv npposition parly shall be responsible for - (a) leading and articulating his party's position inParliament; (b) managing the relatiouship of his parly with other party leaders; and (c) providing support to Parliament for the successfulpassage ofBills and Motions into law.

{ \ 16.

Chief Whip shall be responsible for - Chief Whip.


(a) ensuring that members of his party attend and vote in Parliament: (c) securing the governing party'ls votes on its legislative policy programme; (c) linking the Government and drq Opposition Party in Pailiament; and (d) nraintaining discipline in Parliament and ensuring that a quorum is obtained.

l6 No.26 The Parliament Act 2023 Deputy Chicf Whip.
11, The Deputy Chief Whip shall pcrform such functions as may be delegated to him by the Chief Whip and shall perform the firnctions ofthe Office ofChiefWhipwha'e the ChiefWhip is absent fromParliament opposition 18.
The Opposition Whip shalt be responsible for - whip (a) ensuring that members of his party attend and vote in Parliament; (b) assisting the chief whip in maintaining discipline in Parliament and ensuring that a quorum is obtained; (c) providing advice and support for his parry- members; and (d) ensuring that his paay decisions are carried out.

Deputy Opposition Whip Chairman of Paramount Chief Mernbcrs Of Parliamcnt t9.
Deputy Opposition Whip: The Deputy Opposition Whip shall perform such functions as may be delegated to him by the Opposition Whip and shall perform the firnctions of the Office of Opposition Whip ifhe is absentfrom Parliament.

20.

Chairman Paramormt Chief Members of Parliament shall be responsible for- (a) representing Paramount Chief Members in the i-eadership of Parliarnent; O) serving as adviser to the Leadership of Parliament; and (c) serving as a member of the Parliamentary Service Commission.
No.26 The Pa iamenl Act 2021 t7 21.
'I:ne President ofthe Female Caucus shall be responsible [61:nl for- (a) bringing female parliamentzr'ians together in dealing with issues sersitive to women; caucus (b) rallying or lobbying to ensure gend€r sensitive legislations are passed into law; (c) making the Fernale Caucus an effective group to monitor the implementation of policies concerning issues of interest to wornen; and (d) networking and coilaborating with electoral activities to suPport issues such as optimizing strategies in achieving gender equality, quota and fair gender representadon within and outside Parliament.
PART ry_ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SEXX/ICE 22.

(l) There shall be an autonomous Parliamentary Sewice' Parlismeotarv which shali consist ofthe Clerk ofParliament and such other pe15615 Service appointed undo paragnph (b) ofsubsection (3) of section 4' (2) The Clerk of Parliament and other members of the Parliamentary Service shall be public officers but shall be independent ofthe Public Service.

23.
23.

The Parliamentary Service sha[ be rcsponsible to pro'id" Hl,fl:l'.,:t" Parliament witr tectmical and administative support and advisory scrvie' s€rvices so as to enable Parliament to effectively and efliciently execute its constitutional and other fimctions' I l8 No.26 The Parliament Act 2423 t Managemcnt Boarri.

24.
24.

There shall be a Management Board of the Parliamentary Service, consisting ofthe Clerh Deputy Clerk' Director General and other Directors ofthe Parliamentary Service, to assist the Clerk of Parliament in the discharge of his duties.

Clcrk of Parliament.

25.


(l) The Clerk of Parliament shall be the Head of the Partiamentary Service and shall be responsible to the Commission for (a) the day-to-day administration and man€ement of the affairs of Parliament and the Parliamentary Service ; O) the control of the staffof the Parliamentary Service; (c) the management of the firnds, property and business of Parliament; and (d) the performance of, such othcr functions as Parlianrent or ttre Commission rnay determine.

!
t @ A person shall not be qualified tbr appointment as Clerk of Parliament unless he - (a) is a citizen of Sierra Leone; (b) possesses at least a Bachelols Degree in the arts, social science, management or public administration from a recognised University; (c) has a minimum of 5 years' experience in parliarnentary or public administration: (d) has not been convicted and sentenced for an offence which involves comrpCon, fraud or dishonesty: or No.26 '[he Parliament Act 2023 l9 (e) is not adjudged to be a lunatic, declared to be of unsound mind or otherwise incapable of performing his duties.
(3) The Clerk may delegate any of his responsibilities to the Deputy Clerk, Director General or any other Director of the ParliamentarySer.rice.

it .

There shall be a Deputy Clerk ofParliament who shall assi.

the Clerk of'Parliament inthe performancc ofhis functions Sirr:t;,:['r-,.

27.
27.

There shatl be a Director-General appointed by the Director- General' Commission who, shall, in addition to the Oeputy CL* of Parliament, assist the Clerk of Parliament in the perfonnance of his fimctions, as follows: \ I Lead the Implementation of the Corporate Goverance agenda in Parliamenl iL provide leadershiP in the im- plementatiou of strategies on accoun- table system to improve Parliamentary performance.

iii.
iii.

Develop stonger strategic and trustful relationship with the leadership of Parliament, Directorate and Develop- ment Partrcrs.

iv.

support the coordination of Par- liamentary functions and events- v. dealwithperformance management.

No.26 n Commission 28.

(l) The Commission may appoint such consultants or 19_"1.^?

:t:.r- advisers as it may think necessary for the efficient performance of oonsul*nts The Parliament Act the functions oftire Parlianentary Service' 2023 Dircctorates29.
(l)TheC.ommissionmayestablishsuchDircctoratesand of Offrces in the Parliamentary Service as it considers necessary or ParliamentarY for the efficient and effecti'le performance ofthe fimctions set,rcc' "*oedient oftheParliamentaryService.

(2) The following Directorates are hereby established: .
(a) D€,partnentofCommittees; O) DePartnentofOfficial RePorts; (c) Department oflrgislative Services; (d) Departrnent of Sergent-at-Arms: (e) DeParonentofFinance; (0 Department of Human Resource and Adrninistation: G) Departnent of Procurement and Transport; (h) Department of Partnership Research and Progammes; O Departrnentof Library and Documentation; 0 Department of Information Communication and Technology; (k) Deparfinent ofParliamentary and Public Relations; 0 Deparrnent of Internal Contol & Compliance.
No.26 The Parliament Act 2023 2t (3) A Directorate or Office under subsection (2), shall be headed by amember ofthe Partiamentary Service designated as such by the Commissicn on the advice ofthe Clerk of Parliament.

PARTV .

ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIALISED OFFICES 30.

0) There shall be established by the Parliamentary 3t:3J"' Service Corunission the following Specialised Offices: a OlficeofthelawClerk b ParliamentaryBudget Office c Center for Smtery and Parliamenury Studies 31.
There shall be established the Office of the Law Clerk hy Functions of the parliamentary Service Commission as pro"ial ro, in Section ,i, *: m"" ' of ttris Acr with tlre following functions- i clcrk' uno l'frf:ffifffiii,*in"'*0"*n'o ii Scrutinise Bilis, Corstitutional Instruments and Statutory lnstruments; iii Scrutinise Agreements, Treaties and Conventions; iv.

Carry out [rgislative Research work; v. Cooperafe wi& I'aw OffEcers Departnent and other Parliamentary legal Offices in other jurisdictions.

32.
32.

Without prejudice to the provisions of Section 53 oithis Act, &e office of the Law clerk in the discharge of the specialised nature of its functions, shall not be subjectto tlre interference of any person.

Autonotny of thc Office of the Law Clerk.

n No.26 The Parliament Act 2A23 Officc of the law Clerk Report.

The Law Clerk, D€puty and other Staff Qualification of the law Cle* and Deputy.

33.
33.

The Office ofthe Larv Clerk shall prrblish an annual r€port at the close of every Parliamentary Sessioru 34.

(l) The Parliamentary Service Commission shall appoint the Law Clerk, Deputy Law Clerk and such other stafF as may be requiredbythe Office.

35.

A person shall not be quatified for appointnent as a ['aw Clerk unless he-- i is aLawYer and ii- is qualified to practice law in Sierra Leone' Parlramentary F0nctions of ll:,,^.---.^-, 36.
(l) There shall be estalished the Fiuliamentary Budget ffi;ilfil] Office by the Parliamentary Service Commission as provided for in Section 30 of thisAct withthe following functions- ar i assist Parliament in providing effective oversight over fiscal policy measures on the economy with the principal aim of improving the quality of debates and laws enacted; ii- provide professional services in respect of budget, finance and economic information to Parliamentary commiffees and Members of Parliarnent andengage them on same when necessary; iii prepare reports on budgetarY projections, economic forecasts, and other specific subjects relevant to Parliament and make ProPosals to Committees of Parliament responsible for budgetarY matters; No.26 Ihe Pdrliament Act 2023 B €s iv.
review and recommend to relevant of Parliament the findings Commitr€ on budget ProPosals and economic forecasts; including financial risks posed bY Govemment Policies and activities to guide Parliament; v. underhke money bills determination and costing; propose where necessary an altemative fiscal framework in resPect of anY financial year; vil support Committees and Members of Parliaments in the national budget process in enhancing the financial autonomy of Parliament and sewes as technical lead in the preParatiou oithe padiamentary budget; viii.
produce r€porls on the implementation ofthe state budget using data from the Ministry of Finance and other soutes; ix simpli&ing financial proposals, po licies, bills and or}ler related documents for &e easy understanding of Members of Parliament and Committees; x undertake any other work deemed necessary by the Director to suPport the achievement ofthe mandate ofthe Budget Offic€.

24 No.26 Autonomy Tfu Parliament Act 2023 ;tr',T:r-* 37.
Wthout prejudice to the provisions of Section 53 of this ;;ffi;;; Act, the Budget Office in the discharge of the specialised nau.re of its Ofiice functions, shall not be subject to the interferance ofany person Parliamcntary Budget Office Reports.

38.

Thereportof the Parlimentary Budget office shall be-.
i laid before Parliament by the l-eader of Government Business or anY other appropriate committee chair; nr ii presented to specific committees or Memben of Parliament where necessary; iii published on the parliarnentary website.

Director of the P*qt (]lttce-v.rws.

39.

The Parlimentary Service Commission shall appoint the Director of the Budget Office who shall 6e specialised in Audit, Accountanry, Fublic Financial Management, Public Policy or Macro- Economics.

Deputy HXT:',*" 40.
Deputy HXT:',*" 40.

The parliamentary Sewice commission shall appoint the Otrlc;. '

Deputy Director ofthe Budget Office who shall he specialised in Audit" Accountancy, Public Financial Management.

Public Policy or Macro- Economics.

Other officers and staff of 41.

The Parliamentao'Service Comntission shall appointothcr 3k::3tt offrcers and staffofthe B*dgetoffrce who shall be knowtedgeable in Audi!
Accountancy, Public Financial Management, Public Policy or Macro-Economics, for the effective and efficient performance of the Budget Office.

Co-opcration.

42.

0) All Ministries, Departnents and Agencies shall co- operate with the Budget Office as required.

A\ A person or institution wbo-' No.26 The Parliament Aet 2023 25 i refuses or fails to piovide information requestetl by an authorised rifficer of the Budgetoffrce; ii.
provides the Budget office with information which that person or institution knows to be false; or iii.

wilfirlly suppress€s information relevant to the work of the Budget Office; Commits an offcrrce and shalt be liable to Contempt of Parliament as prcvided for in sectron 95 of the Constitution of Sierra lcone Act No.

6ofl99l.

(3) .r\rr authorised officer of ttre Budget Offtce shall, on ttre request of a person or institution from whom information is requested, produce the required authorisation- 43.
There shall be established the Centre for Strategr und [: Farlimentary Studies by the Parliamentary Service Comrnission in Parliamentav secr-ion 30 of this Act with the following frmctions- satdies' Functions of c"ntt' I lead strategic planning advisory services and guidance in Parliament; ii.
serve as the primary service provider for the provision of certifieil professional training courses and programmes on legislatioru respresent- ation, and the oversight roles of Parliament; iii preserve Parliamentary procedure and practice for training PurPose- % No.26 The Parliament Act 2023 Board of the Ccntrc for Stratcgy and 4.

The Parlimentary Service Commission shall appoint a Parliamentary Specialised Board to provide policy direction, oversight to the Smdies.

management of the centre.


Composition of the Board of the Cantre for strategy and Parliamentary studies.. 45.

The Board shall comprise of- (a) Two members ofthe Parliamentary Service Commission O) TheClerkofParliament (c) One representative from a Higher learning institution (d) *:,'#:&"Iff ,:J;il 3:;:ffy#xre.,*o the Board without a voting right.

Funds of the :,fj*t[.

parlia"mentary frurds through the Board of the Centre, for the implementation of studies- plans and progftunmes of the centre.- 46.
The ParliamenrarySenriceCommissionmaydirectlyallocare Annual Budget of Parliament.

PART VI - FINANCTAL PROVISIONS 47.

(l) The Commission shall preparc the annual budger of Parliament, encompassing the budgets of Members of parliamenl tlre Comnrission and the Parliamentary Service and cause that budget to be passed in Parliament.

@ The amount to be ser as the ceiling for the budget of Parliament under subsecfion ( I ) shal I be 2 .

5%o of the national budget.


(3) The Commission shall submit the estimate prepared under subsection (l ) and in accordance with subsection (4) ofsection 74 ofthe Constitution of Sierra L€one" Act No.

6 of l99l to the President who may commenf or make recommendations on the estimate and thereafter transmit it to the Commission.
No.26 The Parliamenl Act 2423 n (4) The Commission shall consider comments or recommendations made by the President under subsection (3) and cause the estimates to be passed by not less than rwo-ttrirds of the Members of Parliament.

(5) llhe Minister of Finance shall, in respect of each financial year, release to Pariiament such monies as indicated in the Corirmission s approved budget for the eflicient and etTective functioning of Pariiarnent.

48.
48.

(1) 'Ihe administrative and other expenses of Parliament shall be financed by funds consisting of - Funds of Parliament.

(a) fimds appropriated by Parliament for the purposes of the Commission and the Farliamentary Service and paid out of the Consolidated Fund; and O) donations or grants from any person or organisation.

49.

(l) The Parliament shatl keep prop€r books of accounts and otherrecords in relation to its fiurctions and finances in a form approved by the Audilor-General.
Accounts and records.

(2) The books ofaccounts ofParliament shall, each year be audited by the Auditor-General or an auditor appointed by him' and a report of the auctit shatl be subrnitted to the Commission' 50.

(1) The Cterk of Pnrliarnent shall, within 3 months after tlrc end of each financial year, submit to the Commissisn an annual report of the activities, prope4y and finances of Parliament for that year.

Arnual Report.

x No.26 The Parliameilt Act 2023 Conditions of Servicc.
A) The report under sutrsection (1) shall include a copy of the audited accounts ofthe Commission and Parliarnenlar-r, Service together with the au'dit report on such accounts.

(3) A copy eif the annual report approvecl by the Commission shall be laid before Parliament not later than 4 months after the end of the financial year to which it relates.

PART VTI-SALARIES AND OT}ilER BENEFITS 51.


( I ) The Speaker of Parliament shail, at the start of, every Parliament and in any case not later than 3 months of the commencementof'the First Session of anew Parliarnent, by statutory insfiument, prescribe conditions of service of the Speaker, Depu{ Speaker, Members ofParliament Cierk ofParlinnrentand Parliamentar] Service.

(2) A statutory insfument undr:r subsectiou.


(l) shall, before passage by Parliarnent, be subinitted to the Prcsident for his cornments within 14 working days and any comment by the Presirient shall bc decmed to be a motion for debate by tlre Leader of Government Business.
(3) At the conrmenccment of this Act, the following conditions shall apply - (a) Outgoing Speakers shall be entilled to the following atthe time of teaving office: (i) Retain one ofthe offficial vehicles in his possession; (ii) Three sec'urilv personnel provided ty the State; and (ii| Home fu,'niture to the tune of Fifl1; Thousand [,e*nes il11,e50,000).
l\o.26 The Pariiameru Act 2023 B O) Outgoing Deputy Speakers shall be entitled to the following at the time of leaving ol'f.rce: (i) Retain one ofthe official vehicles in his possession; (ii) Two security personnel provided by the State: and (iD Home furniture to the tune of Thirty Thousand Leones (NLe30,000).

prnvided that a Deputv Speaker shall not be entitled to ariy benefit accruing to a Member of Parliament at ttre time of leaving oftice.
(c) Any person who, before ccasing to be a Member of Parliament, has served a-s sucir Member for two terms whether or ncrt the terms are consecutive or as the Speaker or Deputy Speaker for a quali$'ing period of five years, is entitled to a rnonthly pension calculated at 80o/o of their gross terminal salaries.
(d) Any person who, before ceasing to be a Member of Parliament, has served as such Member for one term and lras furttrer served as Clerk of Parliament for a qualifying period of fiveyears, isentitledto a monthlypension calculated at 809/0 of his gross terminal salaries.
Provided that the Speaker or a Member of Parliament who has sencd for a period not less than five years but less than ten years, shall be entited to a monthly pension cornputed at the rate of 40% of the gross.salary of a Speaker or Memtrer of Parliament.

30 No,26 The Parliament Act 2023 (e) there shall be an increment of 2596 in the pensions of former Members of Parliarnent every 5 years; (0 dre Speaker, MemberscfParliarnentirr!
Clerk of Parliamcnt shall be entitled to 2 months reccss each year and one-month gross salary' as recess allowance; G) the siuing fees for Speaker, Members of Parliament, Clerk ofParliament and Chamber Clerks shall be computed on a daily sitting basis.

(h) The Clerk of Parliament shall be entitled to Domestic Servauls Allou,ailce calculated at 2$% of his basic monthly salary.
(, there shall be an intemal Parliament Medical Insurance Scheme to cater for thc health needs ofthe Speaker, Members ofParliarncnt.

Clerk of Parliament and Parliamentary staff who require urgent medical attention overs€as to be funded from - 0 the annual budget of Parliament accounting for not rnore than 50%; (i) 2o/o of the monthly salaries or pensions of the Speaker, Clerk of Parliament, Members of Parliament and Parliamentary Staftand (iii) donations from persons or organisat- ions.

No.
No.

26 Tlu Parliament lct 2023 3l (4) A Comrninee shall be constituted by the Cornmission for the pngrse ofmanaging ttrc Parliament Medical Insurance Sctreme under para$aph (h) ofsubs€ction (3), comprising - (a) the Clerk of Parliament, who shall be the Chairman; (r) the Chairman Health Committee; (c) One Member of Parliament each from the Goveming Party and Opposirion Parties; and (d) the Director4eneral of the Parliamentary Service.
(5) 'lhe Clerk to the Heahh Committee shall serve as the Secretar], ofthe Ccmmitee.

(6) The Committee corstitrrted under subsection (4), shall from time to time pub lish rules to govem the access to and operatiom ofthe Parliament Medical Insurance Scheme.

PART VIII - MISCEI,T.ANEOUS s2.


0) A member of thc Parliamentary Service- f['##,1 of the (a) may retire voluntarily from the service on or after Padiamcotary attaining the age offifty*five: and scrvic€ (b) shall retire or vacate his omce compulsorily at the age of siny.

(2) The Parliamentary Service and the Commission shail ensure the prompt palment of rctirement bonefits to staff members inuned iately after retirement n Crcation and Abolition of Offices.

No.26 The Parliament Act 2023 53.


(l) The Commission may create, abolish or reclassily r,fljces in the Parliamentary Service.

(2) Where an office is abolished or reclassified the Cornmissinn may where appropriate redeploy the holder ofthe offtce ,rr discontinue the service ofthe hoider ofthe ollce and shall pay the officer such entitlernent as appropriate in relation to the offtce.

Secondment.

54.
Secondment.

54.

Staff ofParliamuraryServicernaybesupportedtoProceed on secondment within or ou8ide Sierra l.eone for Career development.

studv lrave 55.

The Parliamentary Service shall subject to the approval o{' the Commission grant Study leave to Parliamemtary Service stafl for post-ggaduate studies only, within or outside Sierra Leone.

Regulations.

56.

The Commission may, by Statutory Instrument make rules and regulations to give effect to this Act.

Repeai 57.
Repeai 57.

The following are hercby repealed or revoked - (a) 'fhe Pzrliamentary Service Act 2007; O) Statutory InstrumentNo.

l0 of2012 relating to the Salary and Conditions of Service of the Speaker of Parliament.

(c) Statutory Instrument No.

4 of?006.

(d) The Wages and Compensation Commission Afj",2A23 shall not apply to the Parliament Act2A23.

No.26 The Prtrlicment Act 2023 JJ Passed in Parliament this 24th day cf April , in the year of orr l-ord two thousand and TvrentY Three.
PARAN T]MAR TARAWALIJ{ Clerk ol Parliament.

Tuls PplNrro InpxsssroN has been carefhlly compared by rne with the Bill which has passed Parliament and found by me to be a h ue and correct printed copy ofthe said Bill.

PARAN UMAR TARAWALLY, Clerk of Parlioment.

PnnneD,c.ND luBt-tStxtO svTHE GOvenNlcNr PnrNrrNc Dpplrn'aSNT, StEnna I-noxr.

G,tznrr No 40 or 22ro "ft.ne, 2023-