Amendment facts for kids

An amendment is an official change made to an important document. Think of it like editing a rulebook or a big agreement. These documents can be laws, contracts, or even a country's constitution.

The word "amendment" comes from the verb "to amend," which simply means to change something. Amendments can add new parts, take out old parts, or update existing parts of these documents. People use amendments when it's easier to change an existing document than to create a brand new one.

Changing Agreements: Contracts

Contracts are like promises or agreements between people or groups. They often get changed, or amended, when situations change. For example, if a company agrees to deliver something once a month, but the customer later wants it every week, they can amend the contract.

Usually, everyone who signed the original contract must agree to the amendment. This makes sure everyone is happy with the new terms. Most contracts also include rules about how they can be amended, like who needs to agree and when the changes will start.

Changing a Country's Rules: Constitutions

A constitution is a country's most important set of rules. It explains how the government works and what rights citizens have. Constitutions are often amended when people decide they want different rules or when society's views change.

One famous example is the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment added important rights like freedom of speech, religion, press, and the right to protest. Another example is the Third Amendment to the Constitution of Ireland, which allowed Ireland to join the European Union.

To change a constitution, the process is usually very strict. Often, both the country's parliament or legislature (the law-making body) and a referendum (a vote by all citizens) must approve the amendment.

Changing Ideas in Meetings: Motions

In formal meetings, like those held by a club or a government body, people follow a set of rules called parliamentary procedure. In these meetings, an amendment is a type of motion. A motion is a formal suggestion or idea that someone proposes.

When a motion is made, someone else might suggest an amendment to it. This amendment could remove words, add new words, or change existing words in the original motion. Most motions can be amended, and sometimes even an amendment itself can be amended! However, it's rare to allow an amendment to an amendment to an amendment, as it can make things too complicated.

See also

In Spanish: Enmienda (derecho) para niños