Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023

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<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:uk="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/UK-AKN" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" eId="section-1"><num>1</num><heading>Intentional harassment, alarm or distress on account of sex</heading><content><p><mod>After section 4A of the Public Order Act 1986 insert—<quotedStructure startQuote="&#x201C;" endQuote="&#x201D;" uk:context="body" uk:docName="ukpga" ukl:TargetClass="primary" ukl:TargetSubClass="unknown" ukl:Context="main" ukl:Format="double"><section><num>4B</num><heading>Intentional harassment, alarm or distress on account of sex</heading><subsection><num>(1)</num><intro><p>A person (A) is guilty of an offence under this section if—</p></intro><level class="para1"><num>(a)</num><content><p>A commits an offence under section 4A (intentional harassment, alarm or distress), and</p></content></level><level class="para1"><num>(b)</num><content><p>A carried out the conduct referred to in section 4A(1) because of the relevant person’s sex (or presumed sex).</p></content></level></subsection><subsection><num>(2)</num><intro><p>In subsection (1)—</p></intro><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-presumed">presumed</term>” means presumed by A;</p></content></hcontainer><hcontainer name="definition"><content><p>“<term refersTo="#term-the-relevant-person">the relevant person</term>” means the person to whom A intended to cause harassment, alarm or distress.</p></content></hcontainer></subsection><subsection><num>(3)</num><intro><p>For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) it does not matter whether or not—</p></intro><level class="para1"><num>(a)</num><content><p>A also carried out the conduct referred to in section 4A(1) because of any other factor not mentioned in subsection (1)(b), or</p></content></level><level class="para1"><num>(b)</num><content><p>A carried out the conduct referred to in section 4A(1) for the purposes of sexual gratification.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection><num>(4)</num><intro><p>A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable—</p></intro><level class="para1"><num>(a)</num><content><p>on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding the general limit in a magistrates’ court or a fine or both;</p></content></level><level class="para1"><num>(b)</num><content><p>on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or a fine or both.</p></content></level></subsection><subsection><num>(5)</num><content><p>If, on the trial on indictment of a person charged with an offence under this section, the jury find the person not guilty of the offence charged, they may find the person guilty of the offence in section 4A.</p></content></subsection></section></quotedStructure></mod></p></content></section>
<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-2"><num>2</num><heading>Guidance</heading><subsection eId="section-2-1"><num>(1)</num><intro><p>The Secretary of State must issue guidance to—</p></intro><level class="para1" eId="section-2-1-a"><num>(a)</num><content><p>chief officers of police,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-2-1-b"><num>(b)</num><content><p>the chief constable of the British Transport Police Force,</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-2-1-c"><num>(c)</num><content><p>the chief constable of the Ministry of Defence Police, and</p></content></level><level class="para1" eId="section-2-1-d"><num>(d)</num><content><p>the chief constable of the Civil Nuclear Constabulary,</p></content></level><wrapUp><p>about the offence in section 4B of the Public Order Act 1986 (intentional harassment, alarm or distress on account of sex).</p></wrapUp></subsection><subsection eId="section-2-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>The guidance must in particular include guidance about the reasonable conduct defence in section 4A(3)(b) of that Act.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-2-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State may revise guidance issued under this section.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-2-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>The Secretary of State must arrange for guidance issued under this section to be published.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-2-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>A chief officer of police or a chief constable mentioned in subsection <ref href="#section-4-1">(1)</ref> must have regard to guidance issued under this section.</p></content></subsection></section>
<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" xmlns:uk="https://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/UK-AKN" xmlns:ukl="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/namespaces/legislation" eId="section-3"><num>3</num><heading>Consequential amendments</heading><subsection eId="section-3-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p><mod>In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Football Spectators Act 1989 (relevant offences for the purposes of Part 2), in each of paragraphs (c), (k) and (q), after “4A” insert <quotedText>“, 4B”</quotedText>.</mod></p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-3-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p><mod>In Schedule 8B to the Police Act 1997 (offences which are to be disclosed subject to rules), in paragraph 102, after paragraph (e) insert—<quotedStructure startQuote="&#x201C;" endQuote="&#x201D;" uk:context="schedule" uk:docName="ukpga" ukl:TargetClass="primary" ukl:TargetSubClass="unknown" ukl:Context="schedule" ukl:Format="double"><level class="para1"><num>(ea)</num><content><p>section 4B (intentional harassment, alarm or distress on account of sex);</p></content></level></quotedStructure><inline name="appendText">.</inline></mod></p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-3-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p><mod>In Schedule 9 to the Elections Act 2022 (offences for the purposes of Part 5), in paragraph 35, after paragraph (e) insert— <quotedStructure startQuote="&#x201C;" endQuote="&#x201D;" uk:context="schedule" uk:docName="ukpga" ukl:TargetClass="primary" ukl:TargetSubClass="unknown" ukl:Context="schedule" ukl:Format="double"><level class="para1"><num>(ea)</num><content><p>section 4B (intentional harassment, alarm or distress on account of sex);</p></content></level></quotedStructure><inline name="appendText">.</inline></mod></p></content></subsection></section>
<section xmlns="http://docs.oasis-open.org/legaldocml/ns/akn/3.0" eId="section-4"><num>4</num><heading>Extent, commencement and short title</heading><subsection eId="section-4-1"><num>(1)</num><content><p>This Act extends to England and Wales only, subject to subsection <ref href="#section-3-2">(2)</ref>.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-2"><num>(2)</num><content><p>An amendment made by section <ref href="#section-3">3</ref> has the same extent as the provision amended.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-3"><num>(3)</num><content><p>Sections <ref href="#section-1">1</ref>, <ref href="#section-2">2</ref> and <ref href="#section-3">3</ref> come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-4"><num>(4)</num><content><p>Different days may be appointed for different purposes.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-5"><num>(5)</num><content><p>This section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.</p></content></subsection><subsection eId="section-4-6"><num>(6)</num><content><p>This Act may be cited as the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023.</p></content></subsection></section>