Bahrain King Ratifies Key Amendments to Parliament Procedures, Social Insurance Law

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Ruler of Bahrain, has ratified and issued Law (20) of 2026 amending provisions of Decree-Law (54) of 2002 on the internal regulations of Parliament.

Under the amendments, the committee report on any interrogation request must be submitted to Parliament at the first session following its preparation and put to a vote without discussion. The law further states that an interrogation shall not be considered serious unless approved by a majority of members.

The legislation also revises the procedures for discussing interrogations in Parliament. Discussions may be held in a closed session upon request by the government, the Speaker, or at least 10 members. Such a request must itself be debated and voted on in a closed session, while proceedings will remain open to the public if two-thirds of members reject confidentiality.

The law will come into force on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa also ratified and issued Law (19) of 2026 amending Article (144) of the Social Insurance Law issued under Decree-Law (24) of 1976.

The amendment provides that substitution under Article (144) shall be carried out within the limits, conditions, regulations and cases specified by a ministerial decision based on a proposal from the board of directors. It further stipulates that such substitution may not be carried out more than once every two years from the date of the previous substitution.

The Prime Minister and ministers, each within their respective capacities, will implement the provisions of the law, which will take effect on the day following its publication in the Official Gazette.

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