Stages of Bills.

1 Standing orders shall include provision— a for general debate on a Bill with an opportunity for members to vote on its general principles; b for the consideration of, and an opportunity for members to vote on, the details of a Bill; and c for a final stage at which a Bill can be passed or rejected but not amended. 2 Standing orders may, in relation to different types of Bill, modify provisions made in pursuance of subsection (1)(a) or (b). 3 Standing orders— a shall include provision for establishing such a committee as is mentioned in paragraph 11 of Strand One of the Belfast Agreement; b may include provision for the details of a Bill to be considered by the committee in such circumstances as may be specified in the orders. 4 Standing orders shall include provision— a requiring the Presiding Officer to send a copy of each Bill, as soon as reasonably practicable after introduction, to the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission; and b enabling the Assembly to ask the Commission, where the Assembly thinks fit, to advise whether a Bill is compatible with human rights (including the Convention rights). 5 Standing orders shall provide for an opportunity for the reconsideration of a Bill after its passing if (and only if)— a the Supreme Court decides that any provision of the Bill would not be within the legislative competence of the Assembly; b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c a decision is made in relation to the Bill under section 14(4) or (5); or d a motion under section 15(1) is passed by either House of Parliament. 6 Standing orders shall, in particular, ensure that any Bill amended on reconsideration is subject to a final stage at which it can be approved or rejected but not amended. 7 References in subsection (5) and other provisions of this Act to the passing of a Bill shall, in the case of a Bill which has been amended on reconsideration, be read as references to the approval of the Bill.