Question reference: S5W-30224
- Asked by: Maurice Golden, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 25 June 2020
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 July 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when Part 2 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019 will come into force.
Answer
The changes to basic disclosure under Part 2 of the Management of Offenders (Scotland) Act 2019 Act ("the 2019 Act") require operational changes to the system of disclosure certificates issued by Disclosure Scotland.
Disclosure Scotland activated their business continuity plan in light of Covid-19 and are focusing on their vital safeguarding role during these challenging times. This means commencement could not take place as had been planned for the summer of 2020. Disclosure Scotland and the Scottish Government have been working to set a new implementation date for the delivery of these important changes.
The Scottish Government is hopeful that Part 2 of the 2019 Act will be able to be commenced at some point in 2020, but that very much depends on the current situation. Once I am able to, I will announce when commencement of Part 2 of the 2019 Act will take place.