Overview

This bill amends the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill, introducing provisions relating to same-sex marriage and civil partnerships, abortion laws, victims' payments, and various reporting requirements on matters such as higher education, gambling regulation, and suicide prevention in Northern Ireland. These changes are largely contingent on the formation of a Northern Ireland Executive; if an Executive is formed before a certain date, some provisions of the bill will not come into force.

Description

The bill makes several key changes to the law in Northern Ireland. These include:

Marriage and Civil Partnerships:

Legalizes same-sex marriage and allows for civil partnerships between opposite-sex couples in Northern Ireland. It also establishes a process for converting existing marriages into civil partnerships and vice-versa. Regulations will be needed to address related issues like parental rights, gender recognition, and financial implications.

Abortion:

Repeals sections of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 relating to abortion, effectively decriminalizing abortion. Regulations will set out the circumstances under which abortions may be carried out, aiming to comply with the recommendations of a CEDAW report.

Victims' Payments:

Establishes a scheme for payments to individuals injured during "Troubles-related incidents" in Northern Ireland. Eligibility criteria, payment amounts, and administrative aspects of the scheme will be set out in regulations, taking into account advice from the Commission for Victims and Survivors for Northern Ireland.

Reporting Requirements:

Imposes various reporting duties on the Secretary of State regarding progress on numerous issues: political donations transparency, higher education provision in Northern Ireland (including a university in Derry/Londonderry), regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK on gambling, a renewable heat incentive hardship unit, libel legislation, suicide prevention strategies, and an assessment of the demand for elective care services in Northern Ireland. Reports are due by various dates in late 2019.

Government Spending

The bill does not explicitly state the cost of the proposed changes. However, significant government spending is likely to be required, particularly for the victims' payments scheme and the implementation of regulations regarding abortion and same-sex marriage. Precise figures are not available in the provided text.

Groups Affected

• LGBTQ+ individuals in Northern Ireland: Will have the right to same-sex marriage and civil partnerships.
• Women in Northern Ireland: Will have increased access to abortion services.
• Victims of Troubles-related incidents in Northern Ireland: May be eligible for financial compensation.
• Religious organizations: May be affected by the changes to marriage and civil partnership laws, with provisions aiming to protect their ability to act in accordance with their beliefs.
• Healthcare providers in Northern Ireland: Will need to adapt to new regulations regarding abortion services.
• Government departments in Northern Ireland: Will be responsible for implementing various aspects of the bill, including producing the mandated reports.

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