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Bills and Laws

About Bills and laws


Contents


How are new laws suggested?

Most Bills looked at by the Scottish Parliament are introduced by the Scottish Government. Each September it announces a Programme for Government for the next parliamentary year. A parliamentary year begins the first time the Parliament meets after a Scottish Parliamentary election and runs until the same date the next year.  

New Bills can also be introduced by:

  • individual MSPs (Member’s Bills)
  • Scottish Parliament committees (Committee Bills)
  • individuals, groups, or companies (Private Bills)

All Bills that are introduced go through a scrutiny process in the Scottish Parliament. The Bill is examined by MSPs before they decide whether it should be passed.