enacten

Enacten is a term that refers to the act of putting a law into effect or making it official. It is the process by which a bill, after being passed by a legislature, receives final approval and becomes a legally binding statute. This typically involves the signature of a head of state, such as a president or monarch, or another designated authority. The process of enactment signifies the transition of a proposed piece of legislation from a deliberative stage to an operational one.

Once enacted, the law is published and becomes enforceable. This means that individuals and institutions are subject to its provisions, and violations can lead to legal consequences. The enactment process is a crucial step in the legislative cycle, ensuring that the will of the legislature is formally recognized and implemented. Different legal systems may have variations in their specific enactment procedures, but the core concept of making a law official and operative remains consistent. The term can also be used more broadly to describe the act of causing something to happen or come into being, but its primary legal meaning pertains to the formal adoption of legislation.