Mark Isherwood

Mark Isherwood

Development of the British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill

Published 14/05/2024   |   Last Updated 17/07/2025   |   Reading Time minutes

  • Ballot winner: Mark Isherwood MS, Proposal 033, British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill

From time to time, the Presiding Officer must hold a ballot to determine the name of a Member, other than a member of the government, who may seek the Senedd’s agreement to introduce a Bill.

A Member must provide "pre-ballot information" to set out the intended purpose of their proposed Bill.

If the Senedd agrees to the introduction of such a Bill, the Ballot winner may consult on their proposals before formally introducing their Bill.

Key Milestones Details

Ballot date

24 April 2024

Debate at which the Senedd will consider the introduction of a Bill to give effect to the information included in the Explanatory Memorandum

Explanatory Memorandum to the proposal tabled on 31 May 2024

Plenary, 19 June 2024

Leave to proceed secured

Plenary, 19 June 2024

Consultation

On 8 November 2024, Mark Isherwood MS launched a consultation on his proposal for a British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill, inviting people to give their views on the policy objectives of the proposed law. The consultation closed on 31 January 2025.

Draft British Sign Language (Wales) Bill

Building on the policy objectives and earlier consultation, Mark Isherwood MS has developed a draft British Sign Language (Wales) Bill and accompanying Explanatory Notes.

Date of the Bill's Introduction

14 July 2025

Information on the legislative journey of the Bill following introduction

Scrutiny of the British Sign Language (Wales) Bill.

The Bill was introduced on 14 July 2025, and is available in BSL.