DIY Laws:
Stages of a bill race
and Pass/Block
cards
Laws are made in
Parliament. Before a law can
be made, you must first have
an idea for a law called a
‘bill’.
Stages of a bill race
A bill can start in either
House. It must be discussed
in both Houses before
becoming a law.
Stages of a bill race
After the bill has been drafted
it has its First Reading. This
is where the title of the bill is
read out in Parliament so that
everyone knows about it.
Stages of a bill race
This is where the bill is
explained in detail. Members of
Parliament debate their reasons
why they might agree or
disagree with it. They then vote
on it and the vote decides if it
passes to the next stage.
Stages of a bill race
A small group of Members
look at the bill in detail and
suggest changes.
Stages of a bill race
The committee reports on the
changes they have made to
the whole House.
Stages of a bill race
The bill is read for a third time
now that changes have been
made. The House votes on
whether they still want it to
become a law.
Stages of a bill race
The bill passes to the other House
and it goes through all of these
stages again. The other House may
make changes and pass it back to
the first House. Both Houses must
agree on the changes so it can
pass back and forth for up to a
year.
Stages of a bill race
The Queen is Head of State
and must agree to the bill.
This is the final stage. The bill
then becomes an Act of
Parliament.
Stages of a bill race
BLOCK