A Consultation on proposals for a Mental Health (Scotland) Bill

Chapter 5 Assessing Impact

Equality

74. The public sector equality duty requires the SG to pay due regard to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, victimisation, harassment or other unlawful conduct that is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010;
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not; and
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic.

75. These three requirements apply across the "protected characteristics" of age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sex and sexual orientation.

Question 17: Please tell us about any potential impacts, either positive or negative, you feel any of the proposals for the Bill may have on particular groups of people, with reference to the "protected characteristics" listed above.

76. The comments received will be used to complete a full Equality Impact Assessment and to determine if any further work in this area is needed.

Business and Regulation

77. The Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment analyses whether a policy is likely to increase or reduce the costs and burdens placed on businesses, the public sector and voluntary and community organisations.

Question 18: Please tell us about any potential costs or savings that may occur as a result of the proposals for the Bill, and any increase or reduction in the burden of regulation for any sector. Please be as specific as possible.