British Sign Language Act 2022

The British Sign Language Act 2022 is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which legally recognises British Sign Language as a language of England, Scotland and Wales. It also requires the Secretary of State to publish reports each reporting period on how BSL is promoted or facilitated by certain government department. The first of these reports was published on 31 July 2023.

Passage

The British Sign Language Bill was introduced to the House of Commons as a private members' bill on 16 June 2021 by Rosie Cooper. The bill gained cross-party and government support before passing its second and third reading in the House of Commons and Lords without any difficulties. It received royal assent on 28 April 2022.

Legal effect

The act legally recognises British Sign Language as a language of England, Scotland and Wales, a similar status to Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. The act does not include Northern Ireland in its scope since equality law is devolved in Northern Ireland. The act requires the government to publish reports on how the language is used in its public communications and issue guidance on promoting its usage. It is somewhat modelled in motives on the British Sign Language Act 2015 which places similar requirements on ministers in the Scottish Government.