Overview
- The Keralam Legislative Assembly approved the Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026 on Monday, October 26 and sent the measure to the Governor for assent.
- The Bill creates criminal offences for abuse, abandonment and illegal possession of a senior’s property with penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of ₹50,000.
- All elderly care centres, retirement facilities and home‑care agencies must register with the state and caregivers must clear police background checks, complete formal geriatric care certification and take refresher training every three years.
- Enforcement will run through a new three‑tier architecture — a State Senior Citizen Protection Unit, district protection units and district forums — plus police nodal officers and senior citizen desks in local bodies to handle complaints and inspections.
- The law won unanimous, cross‑bench backing after committee amendments but LDF members warned of possible relaxations vis‑à‑vis Central laws and uncosted fiscal demands, so implementation will depend on rules, funding and the Governor’s assent.