Overview
The Bill as introduced aims to improve opportunities for disabled children and young people as they grow up. This Bill considers children to be under 18 and young people to be between 18 and 26.
Johann Lamont MSP introduced the Bill because she thinks disabled children and young people need extra support to help them transition to adulthood. This will help them have the same opportunities as other children and young people.
The Bill would require:
- the Scottish Government to have a strategy explaining how they are going to improve opportunities for disabled children and young people
- a Scottish Government minister to be in charge of improving opportunities for disabled children and young people moving into adulthood
- local authorities to have plans for each disabled child and young person as they move into adulthood
You can find out more in the Explanatory Notes document prepared on behalf of Johann Lamont MSP that explains the Bill.
Why the Bill was created
Johann Lamont MSP thinks there is not enough support for disabled children and young people when they transition to adulthood.
The Bill aims to make sure that there are structures in place to support disabled children and young people at that time in their lives.
You can find out more in the Policy Memorandum document prepared on behalf of Johann Lamont MSP that explains the Bill.
Where do laws come from?
The Scottish Parliament can make decisions about many things like:
- agriculture and fisheries
- education and training
- environment
- health and social services
- housing
- justice and policing
- local government
- some aspects of tax and social security
These are "devolved matters".
Laws that are decided by the Scottish Parliament come from:
-
the Scottish Government – this is a
Government Bill or a Hybrid Bill -
MSPs – this is a
Members' Bill -
groups of MSPs called committees – this is a
Committee Bill -
a person, a group or a company – this is a
Private Bill
Government Bills
These are Bills that have been introduced by the Scottish Government.
Most of the laws that the Scottish Parliament looks at are Government Bills.
Hybrid Bill
These Bills are suggested by the Scottish Government.
As well as having an impact on a general (public) law, they could also have an impact on organisations' or the public's private interests.
The first Hybrid Bill was the Forth Crossing Bill.
Members' Bill
These are Bills suggested by MSPs. Every MSP can try to get two laws passed in the time between elections. This 5-year period is called a 'Parliamentary session'.
To do this they need other MSPs from different political parties to support their proposed law.
Committee Bill
These are Bills suggested by a group of MSPs called a committee.
These are Public Bills because they will change general law.
Private Bill
These are Bills suggested by a person, group or company. They usually:
- add to an existing law
- change an existing law
A committee would be created to work on a Private Bill.
Bill stage timeline
The Disabled Children and Young People (Transitions to Adulthood) (Scotland) Bill is currently at Stage 1
Introduced
The Member in charge of the Bill, Johann Lamont MSP sends the Bill and related documents to the Parliament.
Related information on the Bill
Why the Bill is being proposed (Policy Memorandum)
Explanation of the Bill (Explanatory Notes)
How much the Bill is likely to cost (Financial Memorandum)
Opinions on whether the Parliament has the power to make the law (Statements on Legislative Competence)
Information on the powers the Bill gives the Scottish Government and others (Delegated Powers Memorandum)
Financial Resolution
Stage 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill. Then MSPs vote on whether it should continue to Stage 2.
Committees involved in this Bill
Lead committee: Education and Skills Committee
Who examined the Bill
Each Bill is examined by a 'lead committee'. This is the committee that has the subject of the Bill in its remit.
It looks at everything to do with the Bill.
Other committees may look at certain parts of the Bill if it covers subjects they deal with.
What is secondary legislation?
Secondary legislation is sometimes called 'subordinate' or 'delegated' legislation. It can be used to:
- bring a section or sections of a law that’s already been passed, into force
- give details of how a law will be applied
- make changes to the law without a new Act having to be passed
An Act is a Bill that’s been approved by Parliament and given Royal Assent (formally approved).