Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
The Bill changes the process to get a gender recognition certificate (GRC). A GRC is a certificate that legally recognises that a person’s gender is not the gender that they were assigned at birth, but is their “acquired gender”.
The current process for obtaining a GRC is set out in the Gender Recognition Act 2004. This Bill amends that Act to make a new process in Scotland.
The Bill sets out:
- who can apply for a GRC
- how to make an application
- the grounds on which an application is to be granted
It also makes provision about:
- different types of GRC that may be issued in different circumstances (“full” GRCs and “interim” GRCs)
- appeals and reviews of decisions to grant (or not grant) GRCs
- revocation of a GRC and offences in connection with false information being provided in an application
The Bill ended Stage 3 on 22 December 2022
Contents
Stage 3 - Final changes and vote
MSPs can propose further “amendments” (changes) to the Bill. MSPs decide on each of these. Finally, they debate and vote on whether to pass the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 3 on 22 December 2022
Scottish Parliament research on the Bill
Read additional research done by the Scottish Parliament on specific parts of the Bill.
Briefing on the Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill prior to Stage 3
Who spoke to the lead committee at Stage 3
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Debate on the proposed amendments
MSPs can propose further “amendments” (changes) to the Bill. Amendments are “selected” (chosen for debate) by the Presiding Officer. MSPs then debate and decide on the amendments.
Documents with the amendments considered on 20 and 21 December 2022.
Marshalled List of Amendments for Stage 3 (1MB, pdf) posted 14 December 2022
Timed Groupings of Amendments for Stage 3 (1MB, pdf) posted 19 December 2022
Minutes of amendment proceedings
Minutes of 20 December 2022 (156KB, pdf) posted 20 December 2022
Minutes of 21 December 2022 (148KB, pdf) posted 22 December 2022
Meeting on 20 December 2022 (Part 1)
Final debate on the Bill
Once MSPs have debated and decided on the amendments, they debate whether to pass the Bill.
Meeting on 22 December 2022
Minutes of proceedings (140KB, pdf) posted 22 December 2022
Final vote on the Bill
After the debate, MSPs vote on whether to pass the Bill.
Meeting on 22 December 2022
Final version of the Bill
Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill as passed (2MB, pdf) posted 22 December 2022
Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill
- Submitted by: Shona Robison, Dundee City East, Scottish National Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 19 December 2022
- Motion type: Motion For Debate
- Motion reference: S6M-07312
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Thursday, 22 December 2022
Result 86 for, 39 against, 0 abstained, 4 did not vote Agreed
Section 35 Order
The Secretary of State for Scotland has made an Order under section 35 of the Scotland Act 1998 that prevents the Presiding Officer from submitting the Bill for Royal Assent. This means that the Bill cannot become law in its current form.
The Secretary of State’s reasons for making this are set out in schedule 2 of the Order.
Ministerial Statement
Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill: Section 35 Order - 19 April 2023