Overview

This bill amends the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, altering the process for making regulations concerning abortion in Northern Ireland. It requires the Secretary of State to consult the Northern Ireland Assembly before implementing changes to abortion laws, ensuring a degree of devolved legislative control.

Description

The bill makes several key changes:

• Amendment to Section 9: It modifies the timeline for implementing CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) recommendations related to abortion, specifying a cut-off date of March 31st, 2020.
• New Regulatory Process: It introduces a new process for creating regulations under Section 9. The Secretary of State must consult the Northern Ireland Assembly, sending draft regulations to all members and requiring a majority vote of approval before implementing them.
• Amendment to Commencement of Section 9: The bill links the commencement of Section 9 to the Assembly's approval of repealing sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861, further emphasizing the Assembly's role in the process.
• Assembly Approval: The Assembly's approval is crucial for both the implementation of regulations related to CEDAW recommendations on abortion and the repeal of the relevant sections in the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify any changes to government spending. The costs associated with the consultation process with the Northern Ireland Assembly and the implementation of any resulting regulations would be absorbed within existing budgets.

Groups Affected

• Women in Northern Ireland: The bill directly impacts access to abortion services, potentially delaying or altering the implementation of changes. The outcome depends on the Assembly's decision.
• Northern Ireland Assembly Members: They have a significant role in deciding on the implementation of changes related to abortion law, with a majority vote required for approval.
• Secretary of State for Northern Ireland: The bill increases their responsibilities, requiring them to consult the Assembly and manage the new regulatory process.
• Anti-abortion groups: The bill's process could delay or potentially prevent changes to existing abortion laws.
• Pro-choice groups: The bill's process could delay or potentially prevent changes to existing abortion laws.

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