What the specific timeline is for the commencement and funding of section 12 (Duty to engage in release planning) and section 13 (Throughca…

Section 13 was commenced on 9 February 2026. The legislation requires that a set of standards for through care support be published within two years of that commencement date. Since commencement, officials have been engaging with the organisations named in the legislation to support the development of these standards. A full 12-week consultation on the draft standards is planned for early 2027.Section 12 has not yet been commenced. As with the remaining provisions of the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland) Act 2023, commencement is being progressed in a phased and considered manner, with close engagement across relevant partners to ensure operational readiness and support effective implementation.As set out in the financial memorandum accompanying the Bail and Release from Custody (Scotland)Bill at introduction, it is not anticipated that Sections 12 and 13 will give rise to significant additional costs for local authorities or other public bodies. The duties in these sections do not require named partners to provide new or additional services beyond those already available to people leaving custody.