THIRUVANANTHAPURAM — The Keralam government on Tuesday tabled the Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly, proposing a strict regulatory regime for elderly care along with stringent penalties for abuse and abandonment.

If enacted, the legislation will mandate the registration of all elder-care homes, hospices, and caregivers under the Director of the Department of Senior Citizens. Operating an unregistered facility will attract up to one year of imprisonment and a fine of up to ₹25,000, while care facilities hiring uncertified staff or skipping mandatory police background checks face licensing cancellations and financial fines.

To tackle abuse within homes and institutions, the proposed law sets severe punishments:

Familial Abuse and Abandonment: Inflicting physical, mental, or emotional cruelty, as well as abandoning elderly individuals in public spaces or care facilities, carries up to three years of imprisonment and a ₹50,000 fine.

Financial Exploitation: Coercive property transfers or misappropriating pensions and savings will invite up to three years in prison and a fine of up to ₹50,000.

Beyond punitive measures, the Bill aims to foster a sustainable "care economy" for the state's rapidly ageing population. Key provisions include establishing state- and district-level Senior Citizen Protection Units, setting legal mechanisms for Living Wills, and formalizing voluntary donation structures.

The move builds on Keralam's previous elder-care initiatives, following its 2006 and 2013 policies, the draft State Policy for Elder Persons (2025), and the Kerala State Senior Citizens Commission Act, 2025. The Bill now awaits legislative review before coming up for a final vote.

Dr.Mathew Joys