Mr McConnell outlined 12 new bills

Jack McConnell announced that there will be 12 new bills, including tougher jail sentences for paedophiles and new powers to tackle failing schools.

As MSPs gathered in the chamber for the first time, Mr McConnell praised their new parliamentary home.

He promised "modern laws for a modern Scotland".

The first minister told the gathered MSPs and people in the public gallery that the executive's Budget Bill, which will be announced in the weeks to come, will outline investments in public services and "efficiency savings".

In this parliament we will take action to reduce the terrible toll that smoking takes on our people Jack McConnell

Mr McConnell said the determination to end child poverty and protect children was as strong as ever.

He announced a bill to protect children from the crime of "internet grooming" where children are preyed on by paedophiles.

The Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences Bill will make it an offence to contact, meet or travel to meet a child with the intention of committing a sexual assault.

Mr McConnell said: "Scotland needs new laws to tackle this threat and we need them urgently."

The legislative programme Budget Charities and Trustee Investment Environmental Assessment Family Law Further and Higher Education Gaelic Language Health Service (Miscellaneous Provisions) Housing Licensing Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences Licensing

He told MSPs that the Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation Bill will prohibit the sending of young Scots girls abroad for a "grotesque crime".

The Family Law Bill will be aimed at promoting "the best interests of the child".

In the coming weeks ministers will unveil "the most comprehensive modernisation programme of our secondary schools for a generation", he said.

This will include a new "excellence standard" for school inspections to improve the quality of education in every school across the country.

And Mr McConnell said: "There will be centres of excellence, but let me be clear: there will be no elitist selection of pupils."

A Further and Higher Education Bill will lead to reform of funding for institutions.

MSPs gathered for the first time in the new chamber

Mr McConnell said the executive will bring forward legislation "to bring Scotland's behaviour on alcohol and the use of alcohol into the 21st century" through the Licensing Bill.

The Health Bill will be aimed at "improving the legal framework" on tissue and organ donation and transplants, ensuring respect for patients and their families.

He said there will also be continued support for those who have contracted Hepatitis C through blood transfusions.

The Housing Bill will "modernise the buying and selling of houses", strengthening the rights of private sector tenants and assisting councils in dealing with areas in decline.

The Charity Bill will be dedicated to "increasing public confidence in charities" and the Strategic Environmental Assessment Bill will mean new legislation on assessing the environmental impact of planning applications.

The first minister said the forthcoming Transport Bill will aim to "continue our modernisation programme for Scotland's transport system".

Tenement law

A Gaelic Language Bill will be introduced "to build on the work we already support in broadcasting the arts and education".

Mr McConnell said five bills would continue their passage through parliament.

These involve tenement law reform, tougher penalties for attacks on emergency workers, new powers to enable ministers to intervene over failing schools, a new regulatory framework for the water industry and updating laws covering the fire service.

Mr McConnell promised to consult on a Police Bill, with proposals for increased powers to deal with violent and knife crime.

He also pledged to continue to tackle reoffending and vowed to take action on smoking in public places.