Thread by @mbmpolicy

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill has attracted substantial attention in the past week. This is a thread about the process the Bill will follow and what is known so far about the timetable./

The text of the Bill and the supporting documents are available here. The Policy Memorandum provides the Scottish Government's explanation of the background to and purpose of the Bill./
beta.parliament.scot/bills/hate-cri…

As reported today, the Bill has been passed to the Justice Committee for scrutiny. The first part of that is evidence gathering by the committee to inform its Stage 1 consideration. The Committee is asking for any comments on the Bill by 24 July./
scotsman.com/news/politics/…

Anyone can submitted evidence to the committee. This is a separate exercise from any previous consultation, conducted by the Parliament not the Scottish Government, and focussed on the specific bill now being brought forward./

There should be a call for evidence on the committee's website soon, with details of how to respond. The Stage 1 inquiry is focussed on the principles of the legislation, but points about possible effects of the specific drafting can also be made./
parliament.scot/parliamentaryb…

A parliamentary committee brings a fresh set of eyes to government proposals for legislative reform. The comments from the Committee Convenor today make clear that the Committee understands this is a sensitive area and is interested in hearing from different perspectives./

The committee has not yet made further decisions on the Bill timetable. After receiving written evidence it can be expect to take oral Stage 1 evidence from witnesses who the commitee will select, and from the government. The committee will then produce a Stage 1 report./

The report will be debated and voted on by the whole parliament chamber (however that may be done at the point this stage is reached). parlaiment will either approve the Bill for further consideration in principle or not (it is very rare for bills to fall at this stage)./

The Committee will then move to detailed consideration of the Bill text, and voting on amendments (Stage 2), and the Bill then returns to the chamber for final approval. /

This piece by Dr Andrew Tickell (@PeatWorrier) is a useful summary of some of the more difficult issues the Bill engages./

thenational.scot/news/18405995.…

The Minister has written this letter in response to the points raised by Dr Tickell. thenational.scot/news/18422859.…

The Justice Committee's call for evidence, giving guidance on how to engage with the Stage 1 process, is available here.

parliament.scot/parliamentaryb…

Commentary on the proposals from the National Secular Society here. secularism.org.uk/opinion/2020/0…