Bill · started in the Lords

Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill [HL]

A Bill to place a duty on commercial organisations and public authorities to prevent human rights and environmental harms, including an obligation to conduct human rights and environmental due diligence, in their own operations, subsidiaries, and value chains in line with international standards; to make provision for civil liability, access to justice for victims, an enforcement body, penalties, and a criminal offence for failures to comply with the duty; and for connected purposes.

The story so farThe Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill was introduced in the House of Lords on 17 June 2026 by Baroness Young of Hornsey (Crossbench). It is now at second reading in the House of Lords. Second reading is the first debate on the overall principle of the bill; if the bill clears it, detailed committee scrutiny follows.

Sponsor

• Baroness Young of Hornsey Crossbench Primary sponsor

Progress through Parliament

Source: the official bill page. Last updated 18 Jun 2026.