Royal arms

Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2019

2019 asp 12

An Act of the Scottish Parliament to amend the Census Act 1920 to enable particulars about transgender status and history and sexual orientation to be gathered voluntarily.

1Particulars about transgender status and history and sexual orientation may be gathered in census

(1)

The Census Act 1920 is amended as follows.

(2)

In the schedule (matters in respect of which particulars may be required) after paragraph 5A insert—

“5B

Transgender status and history.

5C

Sexual orientation.”.

(3)

In section 8 (penalties), for subsection (1A) substitute—

“(1A)

But no person shall be liable to a penalty under subsection (1) for refusing or neglecting to state—

(a)

any particulars in respect of—

(i)

religion, or

(ii)

sexual orientation, or

(b)

such particulars, with respect to transgender status and history, as are prescribed for the purposes of this subsection in an Order in Council under section 1 or 6 of this Act.”.

2Commencement

(1)

This section and section 3 come into force on the day after Royal Assent.

(2)

The other provisions of this Act come into force at the end of the period of 2 months beginning with the day of Royal Assent.

3Short title

The short title of this Act is the Census (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2019.