Learning Disability, Autism and Neurodiversity Bill - Lived Experience Advisory Panel: recruitment information

How Bills become Laws in Scotland

The information below gives you some information about a Bill process in Scotland.

1. Pre-Legislative Consultation

The Scottish Government seeks the views of people across Scotland on a proposed piece of legislation.

2. Bill Introduced to Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Government presents a draft Bill to the Scottish Parliament, providing additional information on likely costs, the legal effect of the Bill, and why the Bill is being proposed

3. Parliamentary Stage 1 (General Principles)

The Bill is given to a lead committee. The lead committee is responsible for examining the Bill. It hears from experts, organisations, and members of the public about what the Bill would do. It then writes a report about what it has heard and giving its own view of the Bill. This Stage 1 report usually makes a recommendation about whether the Parliament should support the main purpose of the Bill.

4. Parliamentary Stage 2 (Amendments)

MSPs can propose changes to a Bill – these are called "amendments". Any MSP can suggest amendments. The amendments are debated and decided on at a meeting of the lead committee. Only the committee members can vote on amendments at this stage. If any amendments are agreed to at Stage 2, a new (amended) version of the Bill is published

5. Parliamentary Stage 3 (Amendments, Debate, and Final Vote)

MSPs can propose further amendments to the Bill. These are debated and decided on in the Debating Chamber, and at this stage all MSPs can vote on them. There is then a debate and vote on whether to pass the Bill. If the Bill is not passed, it falls and can't become law.

6. Royal Assent

If the Bill is passed, it is normally sent for Royal Assent after about 4 weeks. Royal Assent is when the Bill gets formal agreement by the monarch and becomes an Act of the Scottish Parliament.