Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill
This Member’s Bill has been introduced by Gillian Mackay MSP. It creates safe access zones around all places providing abortion services in Scotland.
The Bill is at Stage 2
Contents
Stage 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill and gather views. They produce reports before MSPs debate the Bill in the Chamber. MSPs then decide on the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
The Bill ended Stage 1 on 30 April 2024
Committee Examination
The lead committee for this Bill is the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee
Find out more about this committee
Health, Social Care and Sport Committee’s approach to scrutiny of the Bill
The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee agreed its approach to scrutiny of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill at Stage 1, at its meeting on 24 October 2023.
The Committee's programme of evidence for the Bill can be found in the Engagement tab.
Further information on the Committee’s approach to scrutiny in relation to this Bill and how it will handle information can be found in its Written statement on the handling of information and evidence.
For more information or queries regarding the Committee's scrutiny of the Bill, please contact the Clerks to the Committee at [email protected].
Submit your views
The Committee issued two calls for evidence which were open for submissions between 27 October 2023 and 20 December 2023.
Read the published submissions here.
Read the summary of evidence from the detailed call for views
Read the summary of evidence from the short survey responses
Timetable
The timetable that the committee followed while examining the Bill at Stage 1
Stage 1 deadline
On 8 November 2023, Parliament agreed motion S6M-11144, that consideration of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill at stage 1 be completed by 3 May 2024.
Who spoke to the lead committee in the Parliament
MSPs met with people in committee meetings to discuss what the Bill will do.
Minutes of 24 October 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 7 November 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 28 November 2023 (in private)
Minutes of 16 January 2024 (in private)
Minutes of 20 February 2024 (in private)
Minutes of 27 February 2024
Minutes of 5 March 2024
Minutes of 12 March 2024
Minutes of 19 March 2024
Minutes of 18 April 2024 (in private)
Meeting on 27 February 2024
Engagement
The Committee agreed the following programme of evidence at its meeting on Tuesday 16 January 2024.
Tuesday 27 February 2024
- Introduction by the Scottish Government Bill team (in private)
- International comparative research
- Impact on those accessing abortion services
Tuesday 5 March 2024
- Impact on those providing abortion services
- Impact on those who will be responsible for enforcement, and management, of safe access zones
Tuesday 12 March 2024
- Impact on those who are against the introduction of safe access zones
- Human rights considerations
Tuesday 19 March 2024
- The Scottish Government
- The Member in charge of the Bill
The Committee undertook informal engagement with those who may be directly affected by the Bill, including individuals who support, and individuals who oppose, the introduction of safe access zones.
26 February 2024 - Impact on those accessing abortion services
Notes from informal evidence session on 26 February 2024 (116KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
5 March 2024 - Impact on those who are against the introduction of safe access zones
Notes from informal evidence session on 5 March 2024 (130KB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Copies of leaflets from participants of the informal engagement session on 5 March 2024 (1MB, pdf) posted 14 March 2024
Commissioned Research
The Committee commissioned research on comparable legislation and its implementation worldwide.
Read the summary of findings (239KB, pdf) posted 22 February 2024
Read the full report (761KB, pdf) posted 22 February 2024
Correspondence
Committee correspondence sent and received while the Bill progressed through Parliament
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 report Scottish Government response
Letter from the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health to the HSCS Convener concerning the Stage 1 report of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill, 29 April 2024
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill Stage 1 report Gillian Mackay response
Letter from Gillian Mackay MSP to the HSCS Convener concerning the Stage 1 report of the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill, 29 April 2024
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill Minister follow up
Letter from the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health following her giving evidence on 19 March, 26 March 2024
Work by other committees
Delegated Powers and Law Reform Committee
Report published on 20 December 2023
Finance and Public Administration Committee
Committee report
The lead committee published its stage 1 report on 22 April 2024.
Stage 1 report on the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill
The committee received the following responses to its stage 1 report on 29 April 2024.
Letter from the Member in Charge of the Bill
Letter from the Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
Debate
MSPs debate the purpose (“general principles”) of the Bill.
Meeting on 30 April 2024
Read the minutes of proceedings (178KB, pdf) posted 30 April 2024
Vote
MSPs vote on the general principles of the Bill.
Meeting on 30 April 2024
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill
- Submitted by: Gillian Mackay, Central Scotland, Scottish Green Party.
- Date lodged: Monday, 29 April 2024
- Motion reference: S6M-13015
- Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Tuesday, 30 April 2024
Result 123 for, 1 against, 0 abstained, 5 did not vote Vote Passed