(1)A relevant person must have due regard to guidance issued by the House of Bishops on matters relating to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults.
(2)Each of the following is a relevant person—
(a)a clerk in Holy Orders who is authorised to officiate in accordance with the Canons of the Church of England;
(b)a diocesan, suffragan or assistant bishop;
(c)an archdeacon;
(d)a person who is licensed to exercise the office of reader or serve as a lay worker;
(e)a churchwarden;
(f)a parochial church council.
(3)In section 8(1) of the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 (acts or omissions constituting misconduct)—
(a)after paragraph (a) insert—
“(aa)failing to comply with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults);”, and
(b)in paragraph (b), after “failing to do any” insert “other”.
(4)In Part 2 of the Church Representation Rules (parochial church meetings and councils), in rule 9 (business), after paragraph (2) insert—
“(2A)The annual report referred to in paragraph (1)(b) shall include a statement as to whether the council has complied with the duty under section 5 of the Safeguarding and Clergy Discipline Measure 2016 (duty to have due regard to House of Bishops’ guidance on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults).”