A SERIES of new proposed Welsh laws, including stopping parents from smacking children, allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote in council elections and banning wild animals in circuses, are to be announced today.

Other new bills to be presented over the coming year will aim to make the Welsh NHS more transparent and prepare Wales for the impact of Brexit.

First minister Carwyn Jones is due to introduce the Welsh Government's new legislative programme today, Tuesday.

Among the bills which the Welsh Assembly will be asked to vote on will be to end the defence of 'reasonable punishment' in Wales - effectively banning parents from smacking children. Although this will not make smacking a criminal offence, it will mean adults can no longer rely on the defence when charged with assault or battery.

Legislation will also be brought forward reforming electoral arrangements in local government elements in Wales, including reducing the voting age to 16, while another will seek to ban the use of wild animals in travelling circuses. This has been illegal in Scotland since the end of last year, and the UK Government recently introduced a similar bill applying to England.

Another new bill will place a statutory obligation on all health organisations in Wales to be open and transparent, demonstrating where improvements have been made where necessary. As part of this, a new independent body will be created to give people a stronger voice for their experiences of health and social care services.

Meanwhile, legislation intended to make Welsh law more accessible will also be introduced, while a number of corrections to regulations will be made between October and March in preparation for the UK leaving the European Union next year.

Mr Jones said: “The year ahead will be one of the busiest for us in legislative terms since Wales gained primary law-making powers.

“Making our statute book ready for EU exit is a big challenge for the Welsh Government and the National Assembly but we must not let this limit our ambitions.

"We will keep driving forward progress and delivering for the people of Wales.”

This will be the final legislative programme introduced by Mr Jones, who will step down as first minister in the autumn.

His replacement will be elected by the end of the year.