HIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 Section 9 of the Name Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 328, is amended by adding the following subsection:

(3.1) The registrar general must refuse an application if

(a) the applicant is a person who has been convicted of a designated offence,

(b) the applicant is a person who has, at any time, been designated as a dangerous offender under section 753 of the Criminal Code (Canada),

(c) the applicant is a person who has, at any time, been designated as a long-term offender under section 753.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada), or

(d) the registrar general determines that a public body has disclosed personal information relating to the applicant pursuant to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act due to a risk to the health or safety of the public and the person is considered a high-risk offender in British Columbia.

2 The following section is added:

Prohibited name change applications

9.1 No person shall make an application to change the name of a person referred to in section 9 (3.1) (a) to (d).

Commencement

3 This Act comes into force on the date of Royal Assent.

Explanatory Notes

CLAUSE 1: [Name Act, section 9] requires the registrar general to refuse an application on certain grounds.

CLAUSE 2: [Name Act, section 9.1] adds a new prohibition.