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Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020

2020 asp 10

The Bill for this Act of the Scottish Parliament was passed by the Parliament on 20th May 2020 and received Royal Assent on 26th May 2020

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to make provision in connection with coronavirus; and for connected purposes.

PART 1 SMain provisions

Key expressionS

F11Meaning of “coronavirus”S

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1S. 1 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

Protection of the individualS

2Protection of the individualS

[F2[F3Schedule 1 contains modifications to the law in response to coronavirus in relation to various matters concerning the protection of the individual.]]

Textual Amendments

F2S. 2 ceases to have effect (1.4.2023) by virtue of The Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts (Saving Provision) Regulations 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/261), reg. 17(1)(b)(2)

F3S. 2 expires in part (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

JusticeS

F43Operation of the justice systemS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F4S. 3 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

Reports, accounts and other documentsS

F54Reports, accounts and other documentsS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F5S. 4 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

Other measures in response to coronavirusS

F65Other measures in response to coronavirusS

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F6S. 5 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

PART 2 SSupporting and final provisions

Supporting provisionsS

6Advancement of equality and non-discriminationS

[F7(1)In exercising a function conferred by virtue of Part 1 (including a function of making subordinate legislation), the Scottish Ministers must have regard—

(a)to the importance of communicating in an inclusive way,

(b)to opportunities to advance equality and non-discrimination.

(2)In subsection (1)(a), “communicating in an inclusive way” means communicating in a way that ensures that individuals who have difficulty communicating (in relation to speech, language or otherwise) can receive information and express themselves in ways that best meet each individual's needs.

(3)Section 9 (advancement of equality and non-discrimination) of the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 is amended by subsections (4) to (6).

(4)The existing text becomes subsection (1).

(5)In that subsection, for “regard” substitute “regard—

(a)to the importance of communicating in an inclusive way,

(b)”.

(6)After that subsection insert—

“(2)In subsection (1)(a), “communicating in an inclusive way” means communicating in a way that ensures that individuals who have difficulty communicating (in relation to speech, language or otherwise) can receive information and express themselves in ways that best meet each individual's needs.”.]

Textual Amendments

F7S. 6 ceases to have effect (1.4.2023) by virtue of The Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts (Saving Provision) Regulations 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/261), reg. 17(1)(b)(2)

7Subordinate legislation making powersS

A power to make subordinate legislation conferred by virtue of Part 1 includes power to make—

(a)incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision,

(b)different provision for different purposes or areas.

8Power to suspend and revive provisionsS

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations—

(a)suspend the operation of any provision of Part 1,

(b)revive the operation of a provision so suspended.

(2)Sections 15 to 17 of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (effect of repeals) apply to the suspension of a provision by regulations under subsection (1)(a) as if the provision had been repealed by an Act.

(3)The powers in subsection (1) may be exercised more than once in relation to the same provision.

(4)Regulations under this section may make—

(a)different provision for different purposes or areas,

(b)consequential provision,

(c)transitional, transitory or saving provision.

(5)The power under subsection (4)(b) and (c) includes power to modify any enactment (including this Act).

(6)Regulations under this section—

(a)which add to, replace or omit any part of the text of an Act are subject to the affirmative procedure,

(b)otherwise, are subject to the negative procedure.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1S. 8 modified in part (5.8.2021) by Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 19), ss. 3(2), 11(2)

9ExpiryS

(1)Part 1 expires [F8at the end of [F930 September 2022]].

(2)Subsection (1) is subject to section 10 (power to bring forward expiry).

[F10(3)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations amend subsection (1) so as to replace “31 March 2022” with “30 September 2022”.]

(5)Regulations under subsection (3) are subject to the affirmative procedure.

(6)[F11At the same time as] laying a draft Scottish statutory instrument containing regulations under subsection (3) before the Scottish Parliament in accordance with section 29(2) of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (instruments subject to affirmative procedure), the Scottish Ministers must lay before the Parliament a statement of their reasons why the regulations should be made.

F12(7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F12(8). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(9)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make—

(a)consequential provision,

(b)transitional, transitory or saving provision,

in connection with the expiry under subsection (1) of any provision of this Act.

(10)Regulations under subsection (9) may—

(a)make different provision for different purposes or areas,

(b)modify any enactment (including this Act).

(11)Regulations under subsection (9)—

(a)which add to, replace or omit any part of the text of an Act are subject to the affirmative procedure,

(b)otherwise, are subject to the negative procedure.

Textual Amendments

F8Words in s. 9(1) substituted (5.8.2021) by Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 19), ss. 1(5), 11(2)

F9Words in s. 9(1) substituted (30.3.2022) by The Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts (Amendment of Expiry Dates) Regulations 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/113), regs. 1, 3(2)

F10S. 9(3) substituted for s. 9(3)(4) (5.8.2021) by Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 19), ss. 1(6), 11(2)

F11Words in s. 9(6) substituted (5.8.2021) by Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 19), ss. 8(6), 11(2)

F12S. 9(7)(8) repealed (30.9.2021 at the end of the day) by Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 19), ss. 8(7), 11(1)

10Power to bring forward expiryS

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations provide that any provision of Part 1—

(a)does not expire at the time when it would otherwise expire (whether by virtue of section 9 or previous regulations under this section), and

(b)expires instead at such earlier time as is specified in the regulations.

(2)Regulations under this section may make—

(a)different provision for different purposes or areas,

(b)consequential provision,

(c)transitional, transitory or saving provision.

(3)The power under subsection (2)(b) and (c) includes power to modify any enactment (including this Act).

(4)Regulations under this section—

(a)which add to, replace or omit any part of the text of an Act are subject to the affirmative procedure,

(b)otherwise, are subject to the negative procedure.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2S. 10(1) modified (5.8.2021) by Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 19), ss. 2(10), 11(2)

11Power to amend Act in consequence of amendments to subordinate legislationS

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify any provision of this Act which modifies the effect of a provision of subordinate legislation.

(2)The power in subsection (1) may be exercised only if the modification is necessary in consequence of the modification of the provision of the subordinate legislation by other subordinate legislation.

(3)Regulations under subsection (1) may make transitional, transitory or saving provision.

(4)Regulations under subsection (1) must be laid before the Scottish Parliament as soon as reasonably practicable after they have been made.

(5)Regulations under subsection (1) cease to have effect at the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the day on which they are made unless, during that period, they are approved by resolution of the Scottish Parliament.

(6)In calculating the period of 28 days for the purpose of subsection (5), no account is to be taken of any period during which the Scottish Parliament is—

(a)in recess for more than 4 days, or

(b)dissolved.

(7)If regulations cease to have effect as a result of subsection (5), that does not—

(a)affect the validity of anything previously done under them, or

(b)prevent the making of new regulations.

Reporting requirementsS

12Reports by the Scottish Ministers on the status of provisionsS

(1)The Scottish Ministers must, in respect of each reporting period—

(a)undertake a review of the operation of the provisions of Part 1 with a view to considering whether those provisions remain necessary, and

(b)prepare a report on that review.

(2)A report prepared under subsection (1) must—

(a)set out how any powers conferred by the provisions of Part 1 have been exercised, and

(b)include—

(i)the status of the provisions of Part 1 (whether or not any power under a provision has been exercised), and

(ii)a statement that the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the status of those provisions is appropriate.

(3)The references in subsection (2) to the “status” of a provision are to—

(a)whether the provision is in force at the end of the reporting period, and

(b)whether any power under the following provisions has been exercised by the Scottish Ministers in relation to it during that period (and, if so, how)—

(i)section 8 (power to suspend and revive provisions),

(ii)section 10 (power to bring forward expiry).

(4)Each of the following is a “reporting period”—

(a)the period beginning with the day after Royal Assent and ending on 31 July 2020,

(b)each successive period of 2 months that ends during the period before Part 1 expires by virtue of section 9(1).

(5)The Scottish Ministers must lay each report under subsection (1) before the Scottish Parliament no later than 14 days after the expiry of a reporting period.

13Reviews: information about domestic abuseS

(1)The Scottish Ministers must—

(a)in undertaking a review under section 12(1)(a), take account of any information about the nature and number of incidents of domestic abuse occurring during the reporting period to which the review relates given to them, or published, by—

(i)the Scottish Police Authority, or

(ii)the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland, and

(b)explain in the report on that review prepared under section 12(1)(b) how the information was taken account of.

(2)The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 is amended by subsection (3).

(3)After section 15 (reports by the Scottish Ministers on status of provisions), insert—

“15AReviews: information about domestic abuse

(1)The Scottish Ministers must—

(a)in undertaking a review under section 15(1)(a), take account of any information about the nature and number of incidents of domestic abuse occurring during the reporting period to which the review relates given to them, or published, by—

(i)the Scottish Police Authority, or

(ii)the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland, and

(b)explain in the report on that review prepared under section 15(1)(b) how the information was taken account of.

(2)In subsection (1)(a), “reporting period” means a period mentioned in section 15(4)(b).”.

14Reports by the Scottish Ministers on coronavirus-related instrumentsS

(1)The Scottish Ministers must, in respect of each reporting period—

(a)undertake a review of all Scottish statutory instruments (other than excepted instruments)—

(i)made by them, and

(ii)the main purpose of which is to make provision for a reason relating to coronavirus, and

(b)prepare a report on that review.

(2)A report prepared under subsection (1) must, in relation to each instrument—

(a)set out—

(i)its title,

(ii)the powers under which it was made,

(iii)the parliamentary procedure to which it was subject, and

(iv)the period for which it has effect,

(b)include—

(i)its status, and

(ii)a statement that the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that its status is appropriate.

(3)The references in subsection (2)(b) to the “status” of an instrument are to whether the provision made by the instrument is in force at the end of the reporting period.

(4)Each of the following is a “reporting period”—

(a)the period beginning with the day after Royal Assent and ending on 31 July 2020,

(b)each successive period of 2 months that ends during the period before Part 1 expires by virtue of section 9(1).

(5)The Scottish Ministers must lay each report under subsection (1) before the Scottish Parliament no later than 14 days after the expiry of a reporting period.

(6)In subsection (1)(a), “excepted instruments” means Scottish statutory instruments containing provision made under a power conferred by virtue of—

(a)this Act,

(b)the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020, or

(c)the Coronavirus Act 2020.

GeneralS

15Ancillary provisionS

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make any incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or saving provision they consider appropriate for the purposes of, or in connection with, or for giving full effect to this Act or any provision made under it.

(2)Regulations under subsection (1) may modify any enactment (including this Act).

(3)Without prejudice to section 6 of the Interpretation and Legislative Reform (Scotland) Act 2010 (power to revoke, amend and re-enact), the Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify any regulations made under subsection (1) in consequence of—

(a)the exercise of a power under section 8 (power to suspend and revive provisions),

(b)the expiry of a provision of this Act under section 9 (expiry),

(c)the exercise of a power under section 10 (power to bring forward expiry).

(4)Regulations under subsection (3) may make transitional, transitory or saving provision.

(5)Regulations under this section—

(a)which add to, replace or omit any part of the text of an Act are subject to the affirmative procedure,

(b)otherwise, are subject to the negative procedure.

16CommencementS

(1)This Act comes into force on the day after Royal Assent.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make transitional, transitory or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.

17Short titleS

The short title of this Act is the Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020.

SCHEDULE 1SProtection of the individual

(introduced by section 2)

PART 1 SStudent residential tenancy: termination by tenant

Interpretation of this PartS

F131S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F13Sch. 1 para. 1 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

Tenant's ability to bring tenancy to an endS

F142S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F14Sch. 1 para. 2 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

Requirements for notice to be given by tenantS

F153S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F15Sch. 1 para. 3 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

PART 2 STenancies: pre-action requirements for order for possession or eviction order on ground of rent arrears

Assured and short assured tenancyS

F164S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F16Sch. 1 para. 4 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1) (with saving in 2022 asp 8, s. 48(2)(a))

Private residential tenancyS

F175S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F17Sch. 1 para. 5 expires (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1) (with saving in 2022 asp 8, s. 48(1)(a))

PART 3 SCarer's allowance supplement

F186S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F18Sch. 1 para. 6 expires (30.9.2021 at the end of the day) by Coronavirus (Extension and Expiry) (Scotland) Act 2021 (asp 19), ss. 2(8)(b), 11(2)

PART 4 SSocial care staff support fund

[F197(1)[F20The Scottish Ministers must, as soon as practicable after Royal Assent, establish and maintain a fund to be known as the “social care staff support fund”.]S

(2)[F20The Scottish Ministers must use the fund to provide financial assistance to workers in the social care sector—

(a)whose ability to undertake contracted health and care work is, or has been, restricted, for a reason relating to coronavirus (such as, but not limited to, inability to work in multiple or linked workplaces), and

(b)as a result of that restriction, whose income is reduced and consequently would experience, or are experiencing, financial hardship during the period when Part 1 is in force.]

F19(3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F19(4). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F19(5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F19(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(7)[F20In sub-paragraph (2), the “social care sector” includes any care service within the meaning given in section 47 of the Public Services Reform (Scotland) Act 2010.]]

Textual Amendments

F19Sch. 1 para. 7 expires in part (1.10.2022) by Coronavirus (Scotland) (No.2) Act 2020 (asp 10), s. 9(1)

F20Sch. 1 para. 7(1)(2)(7) ceases to have effect (1.4.2023) by virtue of The Coronavirus (Scotland) Acts (Saving Provision) Regulations 2022 (S.S.I. 2022/261), reg. 17(1)(b)(2)