Keralam Senior Citizens' Bill tabled in the Assembly with a protection unit for every district

13 October 2026

The Keralam Senior Citizens' (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026 was tabled in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on 13 October 2026 and referred to the Subject Committee.
The Legislature lists it as Bill No. 15 of the Sixteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly, published on 12 October 2026.
The Bill rests on the principles of dignity, the best interest of the senior citizen, ageing in place with home-based care, safety and a social care ecosystem, independence, and participation in policy-making.
It provides for a State Senior Citizen Protection Unit, a District Senior Citizen Protection Forum in every district, and a District Senior Citizen Protection Unit to assist the forum.
The forum will monitor government policies and schemes, the working of care centres, and may take action on complaints on its own motion.
Cruelty towards a senior citizen carries imprisonment of up to three years.
Registered medical practitioners and care centres must report abuse, neglect or exploitation to the district level protection unit within 48 hours, with evidence.
The Bill also provides for the registration and regulation of senior citizen care centres and for capacity-building for families and caregivers.