British Sign Language Act 2022

The British Sign Language Act 2022 (c. 34) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, which legally recognises British Sign Language (BSL) as a language of England, Scotland and Wales. It also requires the Secretary of State to publish reports each reporting period on how BSL is promoted or facilitated by certain government department. The first of these reports was published on 31 July 2023.

The British Sign Language Bill was introduced to the House of Commons as a private members' bill on 16 June 2021 by Rosie Cooper. The bill gained cross-party and government support before passing its second and third reading in the House of Commons and Lords without any difficulties. It received royal assent on 28 April 2022.

The act legally recognises British Sign Language as a language of England, Scotland and Wales, a similar status to Welsh and Scottish Gaelic. It requires the government to publish reports on how the language is used in its public communications and issue guidance on promoting its usage. It is somewhat modelled in motives on the British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015 which places similar requirements on ministers in the Scottish Government.

• British Sign Language (Scotland) Act 2015
• Accessible Canada Act
• Irish Sign Language Act 2017
• New Zealand Sign Language Act 2006

• This article incorporates text published under the United Kingdom Open Parliament Licence:Pyper, Douglas; Loft, Philip (1 April 2022). "British Sign Language Bill". House of Commons Library.