Mental Health (Discrimination) Act 2013
Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
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The Mental Health (Discrimination) Act 2013 (c. 8) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom introduced to the House of Commons by Gavin Barwell, the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Croydon Central. It was introduced into Parliament as the Mental Health (Discrimination) (No. 2) Bill.[1]
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Lord Stevenson of Coddenham (Lords)
| Act of Parliament | |||||||||
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| Long title | An Act to make further provision about discrimination against people on the grounds of their mental health. | ||||||||
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| Citation | 2013 c. 8 | ||||||||
| Introduced by | Gavin Barwell MP (Commons) Lord Stevenson of Coddenham (Lords) | ||||||||
| Territorial extent | United Kingdom[b] | ||||||||
| Dates | |||||||||
| Royal assent | 28 February 2013 | ||||||||
| Commencement | |||||||||
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Status: Amended | |||||||||
| History of passage through Parliament | |||||||||
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |||||||||
| Revised text of statute as amended | |||||||||
| Text of the Mental Health (Discrimination) Act 2013 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |||||||||
Legislative passage
The bill passed its House of Commons second reading on 14 September 2012.[2][3]
Provisions
There are four sections of the act.
Section 1 ("Members of Parliament etc") removes from the Mental Health Act 1983 the provision that disqualifies from the House of Commons a member sectioned for over six months under that Act.[4] Section 2 ("Jurors") qualifies the restrictions of jury members who are receiving mental health treatment. Section 3 ("Company directors") modifies regulations in relation to the employment of director's appointments.[4] The final section gives the Secretary of State power to determine when the section relating to juries take effect; the other provisions came into force with royal assent.
Other developments
At the same time as the legislation was being passed the Commons Members Estimate Committee approved funding for mental health services to be provided for members of Parliament.[5]
Reception
The then Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband, said the bill would bring public understanding of mental health "into the 21st century".[6] The Government supported the legislation.[7]
