An apparatus for encoding video information, the apparatus comprising: a memory for storing video information associated with a plurality of layers; and a processor operationally coupled to the memory and configured to: obtain information associated with a current access unit, AU, to be encoded, the current AU containing pictures from a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including a current layer to be encoded, the current layer including a current picture to be encoded; determine a value of a first flag associated with one or more layers including the current layer, the first flag being indicative of whether a picture from the one or more layers with which the first flag is associated that precedes the current AU in decoding order is allowed to be used for temporal motion vector prediction, TMVP, of another picture that is within or follows the current AU in decoding order; and in response to determining that the value of the first flag is 1, refrain from using any picture from the one or more layers with which the first flag is associated that precedes the current AU in decoding order as a reference picture for TMVP, regardless of a value of second flag indicative of whether TMVP is enabled, the second flag being included in a slice header of a slice included in the current picture, wherein the first flag is included in a supplemental enhancement information, SEI, message, wherein the first flag has a higher precedence than the second flag. a memory for storing video information associated with a plurality of layers; and a processor operationally coupled to the memory and configured to: obtain information associated with a current access unit, AU, to be encoded, the current AU containing pictures from a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including a current layer to be encoded, the current layer including a current picture to be encoded; determine a value of a first flag associated with one or more layers including the current layer, the first flag being indicative of whether a picture from the one or more layers with which the first flag is associated that precedes the current AU in decoding order is allowed to be used for temporal motion vector prediction, TMVP, of another picture that is within or follows the current AU in decoding order; and in response to determining that the value of the first flag is 1, refrain from using any picture from the one or more layers with which the first flag is associated that precedes the current AU in decoding order as a reference picture for TMVP, regardless of a value of second flag indicative of whether TMVP is enabled, obtain information associated with a current access unit, AU, to be encoded, the current AU containing pictures from a plurality of layers, the plurality of layers including a current layer to be encoded, the current layer including a current picture to be encoded; determine a value of a first flag associated with one or more layers including the current layer, the first flag being indicative of whether a picture from the one or more layers with which the first flag is associated that precedes the current AU in decoding order is allowed to be used for temporal motion vector prediction, TMVP, of another picture that is within or follows the current AU in decoding order; and in response to determining that the value of the first flag is 1, refrain from using any picture from the one or more layers with which the first flag is associated that precedes the current AU in decoding order as a reference picture for TMVP, regardless of a value of second flag indicative of whether TMVP is enabled, the second flag being included in a slice header of a slice included in the current picture, wherein the first flag is included in a supplemental enhancement information, SEI, message, wherein the first flag has a higher precedence than the second flag.