Search Legislation

Scottish Biometrics Commissioner Act 2020

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Functions

2Functions

(1)The Commissioner’s general function is to support and promote the adoption of lawful, effective and ethical practices in relation to the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data for criminal justice and police purposes by—

(a)the Police Service of Scotland,

(b)the Scottish Police Authority,

(c)the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner.

(2)But the Commissioner’s general function does not extend to biometric data in relation to which the Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material has a function under section 20 of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

(3)In exercising that general function, the Commissioner is to—

(a)keep under review the law, policy and practice relating to the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data by or on behalf of the persons referred to in subsection (1),

(b)promote public awareness and understanding of the powers and duties those persons have in relation to the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of biometric data, how those powers and duties are exercised, and how the exercise of those powers and duties can be monitored or challenged,

(c)promote, and monitor the impact of, the code of practice.

(4)In complying with subsections (3)(a) and (b), the Commissioner is to have regard to the technology used or capable of being used for the purpose of acquiring, retaining, using or destroying biometric data.

(5)The Commissioner may, in particular—

(a)carry out, commission or support any research the Commissioner considers appropriate,

(b)make recommendations in relation to any matter relevant to the Commissioner’s general function.

(6)In exercising the Commissioner’s general function, the Commissioner must have regard to the interests of—

(a)children and young persons, and

(b)vulnerable persons.

(7)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations amend subsection (1) so as to add a person or description of person, vary an entry listed in it, or remove an entry.

(8)For the purpose of this section—

  • “children and young persons” means individuals under the age of 18 years,

  • “vulnerable persons” means individuals who, by reason of their personal circumstances or characteristics, may have difficulty understanding matters relating to the acquisition, retention, use and destruction of their biometric data by or on behalf of the persons referred to in subsection (1).

3Power to work with others

The Commissioner may, in the exercise of the Commissioner’s functions, work jointly with, assist or consult—

(a)the Scottish Parliament,

(b)the Scottish Ministers,

(c)the Lord Advocate,

(d)the chief constable of the Police Service of Scotland,

(e)Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Constabulary in Scotland,

(f)the Scottish Police Authority,

(g)the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner,

(h)the Information Commissioner,

(i)the Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material,

(j)the Scottish Human Rights Commission,

(k)such other persons as the Commissioner considers appropriate.

4General powers

(1)The Commissioner may do anything which appears to the Commissioner—

(a)to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of, or in connection with, the performance of the Commissioner’s functions, or

(b)to be otherwise conducive to the performance of those functions.

(2)Despite the generality of subsection (1), the Commissioner may pay fees and allowances to a person for advice, assistance or any other service only with the approval of the Parliamentary corporation.

5Duty to comply with directions

(1)The Commissioner must comply with any direction given to the Commissioner by the Parliamentary corporation in relation to—

(a)the location of the Commissioner’s office,

(b)the sharing of premises, staff, services or other resources with any other officeholder or any public body,

(c)the form and content of the Commissioner’s annual report under section 32,

(d)the process to be followed in appointing members of the advisory group established under section 33.

(2)A direction under this section may vary or revoke a previous direction.

(3)The Parliamentary corporation is to make any direction under this section publicly available.

6Report on the Commissioner’s functions

(1)The Scottish Ministers must, before the expiry of the period of 12 months beginning with the day after the last day of the period to which the Commissioner’s first strategic plan relates—

(a)prepare and publish a report on the Commissioner’s functions, and

(b)lay a copy of the report before the Scottish Parliament.

(2)In preparing the report, the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate.

(3)The report must include an assessment of whether—

(a)the functions of the Commissioner remain appropriate,

(b)the powers conferred by sections 2(7) and 9(4) should be exercised.

(4)The Scottish Ministers must, before the expiry of the period of 5 years beginning with the day after the day on which the most recent relevant document was laid before the Scottish Parliament—

(a)prepare and publish—

(i)a report on the Commissioner’s functions, or

(ii)a statement setting out why they consider such a report to be unnecessary, and

(b)lay a copy of the report or statement before the Scottish Parliament.

(5)Subsections (2) and (3) apply to a report under subsection (4)(a)(i) as they apply to a report under subsection (1).

(6)In this section, “relevant document” means—

(a)a report under subsection (1) or (4)(a)(i), or

(b)a statement under subsection (4)(a)(ii).

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources