Thiruvananthapuram: In a historic legislative move, Keralam has become the first state in the country to unanimously pass a comprehensive bill dedicated to protecting senior citizens from abuse and exploitation. The new legislation aims to strictly regulate elderly care centres, ensure access to better healthcare, and provide a robust social security net for the state’s ageing population.
The Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026, was cleared by the state assembly on Monday following extensive deliberations. Originally introduced in the House on October 13, the draft was sent to a subject committee for a detailed review. It was presented again to the assembly and passed after the government incorporated multiple amendments proposed by both the ruling front and the opposition members.
Addressing the assembly, senior leaders, including V.D. Satheesan, expressed their commitment to developing an elderly care system in the state that could serve as a model capable of drawing global attention. The bipartisan support highlighted the shared political consensus on the urgent need to secure the dignity and rights of the elderly.
The legislation establishes a strict legal framework designed to prevent the mistreatment of older adults. It introduces severe punitive measures, including mandatory jail terms and hefty fines, for a range of offences. These include the physical or emotional abuse of senior citizens, the illegal encroachment or forceful takeover of their properties, and the operation of unregistered elderly care facilities. By making the registration of care homes mandatory, the state aims to weed out unregulated centres where neglect and exploitation frequently go unchecked.
Following its unanimous passage in the state legislative assembly, the bill will now be forwarded to the Governor for final assent. Once it receives the gubernatorial nod, the legislation will officially come into effect as law, marking a major milestone in geriatric welfare and rights protection in India.