The Cayman Islands Parliament has approved a higher duty-free allowance for returning residents and passed the Children (Amendment) Act, 2024, which includes a new duty to maintain children and a “Shemaiah Grant Order” for maintenance and upbringing payments in cases where a parent dies due to a prescribed criminal act. Lawmakers also said eight single-use plastic products were being considered for a possible ban. The sitting in George Town also included tributes to former Chief Secretary James Ryan, who died last month. The decisions covered travel costs, child welfare law, and environmental policy.

The government later announced a seasonal increase in the duty-free allowance to CI $1,000 in July, August and December, above the original proposal. The change means returning residents can bring in more personal goods before customs duty applies.

Travel relief for residents coming home

The higher allowance is expected to matter most to Caymanians overseas and residents who travel regularly and return with personal items. For families, workers and students coming home for holidays or longer visits, the increase represents a practical saving at the point of entry.

The original motion proposed by MP for George Town West, Pearlina McGaw-Lumsden, asked for a rise to CI $800. The government response went further, signalling support for a CI $1,000 allowance during the three busiest travel months. No further details were given on how the seasonal allowance would be administered, including whether customs would need new rules, extra guidance or changes to enforcement. Those details matter to travellers and to the department expected to implement the increase.

Children Amendment Bill passed unanimously

Parliament unanimously passed the Children (Amendment) Act, 2024, strengthening child welfare legislation in the Cayman Islands. The Act amends the Children Act (2012 Revision) by introducing a new section on the "voice of the child," updating provisions relating to the welfare of the child, and making changes to parental responsibility, welfare reports, residence and contact orders. It also includes new provisions on the disclosure of interests and the confidentiality of information held by the Department, along with other general amendments to the Children Act.

The bill carried clear local importance. Child welfare law affects decisions made in homes, schools and care settings across the Cayman Islands. The update was intended to make the legal framework more responsive to the way families now live and to recognise the need for children to be heard more clearly in matters that shape their lives.

The passage of the bill also added to the sense that the sitting was dealing with practical questions that reached beyond the chamber. While the draft did not set out every detail of the amendment, it made clear that the legislation had been presented as a necessary update rather than a major overhaul.

Eight plastic products under consideration

Minister for District Administration and Home Affairs Nicholas DaCosta MP said eight single-use plastic products were under consideration for a possible ban in the Cayman Islands, pending public consultation. The sitting did not say why those items were chosen, what evidence had informed the shortlist, or what impact the measure could have on consumers and businesses. No final decision was announced at the sitting. The government said the matter would move forward through consultation before any restrictions were confirmed.

The draft material did not list the eight products, but it made clear that the policy was still under consideration. That meant residents, businesses and other stakeholders were expected to have a chance to comment before any final decision was taken. The eventual outcome could affect shops, households and service providers, depending on which items were included in the proposed ban and how any rules were written.

For Cayman, the issue remained tied to a wider effort to reduce single-use waste. Even without a final ruling, the discussion signalled that plastics policy was still active and that changes could follow. The government’s next step was consultation, which would shape what came after.

Tribute to James Ryan

The House also paid tribute to former Chief Secretary James Ryan, who died last month. The tribute added a note of reflection to a sitting otherwise dominated by practical policy matters.

Overall, June 24’s sitting had Parliament dealing with issues that touched everyday life in Cayman. Returning residents benefit from a higher seasonal duty-free allowance in July, August and December. Families saw updated child welfare law after the unanimous passage of the Children Amendment Bill 2026. And on plastics, residents have to wait for consultation before any final decision was made.