BSL (Scotland) Act 2015

The BSL (Scotland) Act 2015 places a duty on Scottish Ministers to promote, and facilitate the promotion, use and understanding of BSL. The Act requires Scottish Ministers to publish a National Plan every six years setting out what the Scottish Government will do to promote and facilitate the promotion of BSL during the six-year period of the current plan.

In addition to this, listed authorities under the BSL (Scotland) Act 2015, including local councils, NHS boards, colleges and universities, must also produce their own Authority Plans (also known as BSL local plans) every six years setting out the measures they will take in relation to the use of BSL within their own authority area.

It is a requirement of the Act that in developing both National Plans and Authority Plans, consultation must be undertaken with  BSL users and people who represent BSL users, and that this consultation must be accessible to BSL users. 

It is also a requirement of the Act that both National and Local plans are published in BSL.