Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill - non-government amendments: SG commentary
Comments on the non-government amendments to the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, to support informed parliamentary debate during Stage 2. The Bill would allow certain terminally ill adults to request medical help to end their lives.
The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill is a Member's bill, which means it was introduced by an individual MSP (Liam McArthur MSP) rather than by the Scottish Government.
The Bill was introduced in March 2024 and is currently progressing through the Scottish Parliament. As the Bill progresses the Scottish Government is committed to supporting robust scrutiny of proposed legislative changes.
The Scottish Government has a neutral position on the Bill. However, we consider that we have a duty to assess the technical, legal and deliverability implications of proposed amendments to ensure the Bill is workable in practice, if passed at the Stage 3 vote.
The attached spreadsheet provides a rolling critique of non-government amendments to the Bill. This will support informed parliamentary debate. It will also try to ensure that any changes to the Bill are:
- operable
- consistent with existing law
- deliverable within Scotland’s health and care systems
Amendments are assessed under the following categories:
- technical amendments are changes to the Bill that correct or clarify its legal effect or operational detail. They ensure the Bill is legally operable, consistent with existing law, or administratively practical, but do not alter the ethical framework, policy intent, or substantive rights and responsibilities established by the Bill.
- ethical amendments are changes that alter the scope, intent or moral framing of the Bill. In this context they reflect value judgements, political sensitivities or ideological positions.
- policy amendments are changes to the Bill that would clarify or align its operational detail with existing practices and policies. They could affect eligibility, safeguards or the balance of rights and responsibilities, and so may be seen to touch on ethical matters, depending on the provision around which the changes are being proposed.
We will update this commentary as amendments are lodged and reviewed. This commentary complements the scrutiny undertaken by the Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee. This Committee is responsible for examining the Bill at Stage 2 and considering all proposed amendments.
Find out more on the Scottish Parliament website: Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
Contact
Email: contactus@gov.scot