Keralam Moves to Become Model for Elderly Care With Landmark Bill

Thiruvananthapuram: Keralam on Tuesday sought to set a national precedent in elderly care by introducing a Bill in the Assembly to protect senior citizens from abuse and exploitation, regulate care centres and ensure better access to healthcare and social security. If enacted, the Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026, would make Keralam the first state in the country to introduce such a comprehensive legislation, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said while presenting the Bill.

Aiming to ensure greater safety and care for the elderly, "The Keralam Senior Citizens' (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026" has been introduced in the legislative assembly.

"This is the first of its kind in India and a promise fulfilled by the UDF government," he said in a post on 'X'.

The proposed law seeks to establish a legal framework for the care and protection of senior citizens, while prescribing jail terms and fines for offences such as abusing the elderly, illegally possessing their property and operating unregistered elderly care centres.

Introducing the legislation, Satheesan said he was doing so with immense pride and expressed confidence that its enactment would make Keralam a model for the world in protecting senior citizens.

"Nobody should feel that they are alone or abandoned. Their protection is their right," he said, emphasising that the way a society treats its elderly determines how civilised it is.

The proposed legislation seeks to establish a comprehensive legal framework to regulate elderly care institutions, prevent abuse and exploitation, and improve access to healthcare, social security, legal assistance and other essential services.

It envisages a system of registration, regulation and monitoring of institutions providing care to senior citizens, with the aim of improving service standards and ensuring transparency and accountability.

Satheesan said the Bill sought to protect the rights and dignity of elderly people.

He also pointed out the incidents of children allegedly taking possession of elderly parents' property and abandoning them in Guruvayoor or Kanyakumari.

The CM said the Bill would ensure that senior citizens were cared for and treated with affection and dignity.

The Bill proposes the formation of a State Senior Citizens Protection Unit and district-level protection forums and units to oversee implementation, monitor care facilities and address complaints relating to neglect, abuse and exploitation.

It defines abuse broadly to include physical, mental and emotional harm, verbal abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse, neglect of basic needs and denial of essential goods and services.

The legislation seeks to enable senior citizens to live with dignity and security, preferably in their own homes with family and community support, while treating institutional care as the last resort wherever possible.

Under the proposed law, elderly care homes, day-care centres, respite care centres, hospices, home-care service agencies and caregiver training centres would have to register with the designated authorities.

Registration certificates would be valid for four years and subject to renewal.

Authorities would be empowered to inspect facilities, examine complaints and take action against centres operating without registration or violating prescribed requirements.

Unregistered centres could face penalties, while facilities denied registration could be ordered to close, with arrangements made for the rehabilitation of their residents.

The Bill proposes imprisonment for up to one year, a fine of up to Rs 25,000, or both, for establishing or operating a care centre without registration or continuing to run it after its registration certificate has expired or been revoked.

A person who intentionally or knowingly obstructs the implementation of the Act, or aids, abets or incites such obstruction, would face imprisonment for up to two years and a fine of up to Rs 25,000.

Such conduct is deemed an offence against the senior citizen community under the proposed provision.

A person in charge of a senior citizens' care centre who illegally possesses the property of a resident would face imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000.

The Bill also proposes imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 for physical or mental abuse or cruelty against a senior citizen by a family member, relative, legal heir, authority in charge of a care centre, its staff or a caregiver.

The legislation also seeks to improve caregiver training and professional standards.

Home-care agencies would be required to ensure that at least 25 per cent of their caregivers obtain certification within two years of the law coming into force, 60 per cent within three years and all caregivers within four years.

Recognising the growing threat of online fraud, the Bill proposes measures to protect senior citizens from cybercrime and financial exploitation.

Police cybercrime units would be required to give priority to their complaints, while financial institutions would be expected to provide additional safeguards.

It also envisages access to affordable care services, legal assistance and essential assistive devices, besides promoting age-friendly public spaces.

Digital services would be made more accessible to senior citizens, with non-digital alternatives continuing to be available.

The proposed legislation provides for the establishment of a State Contingency Fund for the welfare of senior citizens. The financial memorandum estimates a recurring expenditure of Rs 25 lakh annually from the State's Consolidated Fund for establishing the fund.

No substantial additional non-recurring expenditure is anticipated for setting up the protection units, as existing infrastructure would be used to the extent possible.

The Bill seeks to address concerns arising from the growth of home-care agencies and the absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework governing their services.

It aims to strengthen the financial security, healthcare, housing and legal protection of senior citizens and safeguard them against neglect, abuse and exploitation.