The government is poised to introduce landmark legislation by the end of March to protect senior citizens from abuse and neglect, granting authorities new powers to intervene in harmful situations, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, has announced.
“We just received the draft of the Elderly [Protection] Bill, and that bill will be laid in Parliament thankfully before the end of March,” Humphrey announced on Thursday during a news conference. “It speaks to the protection of elderly persons, the empowerment of elderly persons, and the rights of senior citizens.”
Currently, agencies such as the National Assistance Board (NAB) lack the legal authority to remove elderly individuals from harmful situations—a significant gap that the proposed bill seeks to address.
“People come to me all the time saying that an elderly person is being abused. The NAB doesn’t have the power to enter someone’s home or remove an elderly person from a position of abuse. This new bill will allow us certain privileges and authority, under a strict legal framework, similar to the child protection laws,” Humphrey explained.
The minister expressed confidence that the legislation would provide long-overdue safeguards, ensuring that senior citizens receive the care and protection they deserve. The government’s move comes amid growing concerns over elder abuse and the need for a more robust legal framework to uphold their rights.
The forthcoming bill is expected to establish clear mechanisms for intervention, empowering authorities to take action in cases of mistreatment while maintaining stringent oversight to prevent misuse of power. (SZB)
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