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Bilean is laghan

About Bills and laws


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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.