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.