The British Sign Language Act 2015 (asp 11) is an act of the Scottish Parliament, which legally recognises British Sign Language (BSL) as a language of Scotland. It also requires the Scottish ministers to develop a "National Plan", the first of which was published on 24 October 2017.[1]
| Act of the Scottish Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act of the Scottish Parliament to promote the use of British Sign Language including by making provision for the preparation and publication of national plans in relation to British Sign Language and by requiring certain authorities to prepare and publish their own British Sign Language plans in connection with the exercise of their functions; and to provide for the manner in which such plans are to be prepared and for their review and updating. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2015 asp 11 |
| Introduced by | Mark Griffin |
| Territorial extent | Scotland |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 22 October 2015 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
Passage
editThe British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament as a private members' bill on 29 October 2014 by Mark Griffin.[2] The Bill gained cross-party and Government support before passing its second and third reading in the Scottish Parliament without any difficulties.[3][4][5] It received royal assent on 22 October 2015.[6]
Legal effect
editThe Act legally recognises British Sign Language as a language of Scotland, a similar status to Scottish Gaelic.[7] It requires the government and local councils to publish national plans on how the language is used in its public communications and issue guidance on promoting its usage.
References
edit- ^ "British Sign Language (BSL): National Plan 2017 to 2023". Scottish Government. 24 October 2017. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ Pyper & Loft 2022, p. 4.
- ^ Pyper & Loft 2022.
- ^ Mark, McDonald. "British Sign Language Bill set to clear final stage before becoming law". National Records Scotland. Retrieved 22 October 2015.
- ^ British Deaf News Team (1 November 2015). "BSL Bill Passed". British Deaf News. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Scottish Parliament (28 April 2022). "British Sign Language (Scotland) Bill". Scottish Parliament. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "2015-11-01". British Deaf Association. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
Bibliography
edit- This article incorporates text published under the United Kingdom Open Parliament Licence: Pyper, Douglas; Loft, Philip (1 April 2022). "British Sign Language Bill". House of Commons Library.
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