Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill
The Bill makes changes to the law in relation to the care of children and the involvement of children in the criminal justice system.
The changes relate to the children’s hearings system and several parts of the criminal justice system. This includes courts that hear cases relating to children and the places where children can be detained.
The Bill ended Stage 3 on 25 April 2024
Contents
Stage 2 - Changes to detail
MSPs can propose changes (“amendments”) to the Bill. The amendments are considered and decided on by a committee.
The Bill ended Stage 2 on 07 February 2024
Timetable
On 6 September 2023, Parliament agreed motion S6M-10300, that consideration of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill at stage 2 be completed by 15 December 2023.
On 23 November 2023, Parliament agreed motion S6M-11416, that consideration of the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill at stage 2 be extended to 9 February 2024.
Further committee evidence sessions
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss the Bill at Stage 2.
Meeting on 25 October 2023
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Anonymity for deceased child victims
Letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, 16 April 2024
Children (Care and Justice) Bill
Letter from the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, 28 March 2024
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill
Letter from the Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping The Promise, 20 February 2024
First meeting on amendments
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 24 January 2024.
First Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (2MB, pdf) posted 19 January 2024
First Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (3MB, pdf) posted 19 January 2024
Second meeting on amendments
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 31 January 2024.
Second Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (2MB, pdf) posted 26 January 2024
Second Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (800KB, pdf) posted 26 January 2024
Third meeting on amendments
Documents with the amendments considered at the meeting held on 7 February 2024.
Third Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 2 (760KB, pdf) posted 02 February 2024
Third Groupings of Amendments for Stage 2 (682KB, pdf) posted 02 February 2024
Bill as amended at Stage 2
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill as amended (3MB, pdf) posted 07 February 2024
Additional information from the Scottish Government on the Bill following Stage 2
Revised Explanatory Notes
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (436KB, pdf) posted 17 April 2024
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill revised explanatory notes (print version) (502KB, pdf) posted 16 April 2024
Explanation of the Bill
Supplementary Financial Memorandum
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill supplementary financial memorandum (216KB, pdf) posted 01 March 2024
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill supplementary financial memorandum (print version) (243KB, pdf) posted 28 February 2024
How much the Bill is likely to cost
Supplementary Delegated Powers Memorandum
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill supplementary delegated powers memorandum (186KB, pdf) posted 06 March 2024
Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Bill supplementary delegated powers memorandum (print version) (277KB, pdf) posted 28 February 2024
Information on the powers the Bill gives the Scottish Ministers and others to make “secondary legislation” (usually regulations) and to the Scottish Ministers (such as to make guidance).