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

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.

The purpose of the British Sign Language (BSL) (Wales) Bill is to make provision to promote and facilitate the use of BSL and its tactile forms in Wales, improve access to education, health and public services in BSL and, support the removal of barriers that currently exist for deaf people and their families in education, health, public services, support services and in the workplace.

The Bill will also work towards ensuring that people who use BSL are not treated less favourably than those who speak Welsh or English, with a proposal to establish a BSL Commissioner with the same powers as other minority languages.