In a bid to address the growing number of elderly citizens ending up in social care institutions, Deputy Tazabek Ikramov of the Kyrgyzstan Parliament has proposed a bill aimed at increasing the responsibility of able-bodied children for the care of their elderly parents. The bill, presented during a meeting of the Committee on Constitutional Legislation, State Structure, Judicial, Legal Issues, and Regulations, seeks to amend various legal codes, including the Criminal and Family Codes, as well as the Law on State Civil Service and Municipal Service.
The central issue addressed by the proposed legislation is the increasing trend of elderly parents being left in nursing homes by their offspring. Deputy Ikramov stated;
"Today it has become a norm to leave elderly parents in a nursing home."
He highlighted the rising number of elderly individuals residing in social care institutions, with many placed there by their own children. Currently, to hold individuals accountable for this neglect, a court decision is required, but in practice, very few parents file complaints against their children.
“The number of old people in social institutions is growing. They get there for various reasons, but most children leave them there. A court decision is needed to bring to responsibility citizens who left their parents without care,” Deputy Tazabek Ikramov explained.
Under the proposed bill, when a person enters a nursing home, the institution's management would automatically notify law enforcement agencies, initiating a legal case. This approach aims to streamline the process of investigating and addressing cases of neglect toward elderly parents.
One significant change included in the bill is the proposed increase in fines. Currently, the fine for evading responsibility for the maintenance of parents stands at KGS 50,000 soms ($563), as stipulated in Article 179 of the Criminal Code. If the bill is passed, this fine will double to KGS 100,000 ($1127) for citizens found liable for leaving their parents in a nursing home. This tougher stance on neglecting elderly parents is expected to serve as a deterrent and encourage children to fulfill their obligations towards their aging family members.
The bill has received approval from committee members in its first reading, signaling initial support for its objectives. However, it will still need to pass through further readings and potentially undergo revisions before becoming law.
The proposed legislation is a response to the changing dynamics of family care in Kyrgyzstan, where traditional family structures are evolving, and elderly individuals are increasingly finding themselves without adequate familial support. If the bill successfully navigates the legislative process, it could serve as a significant step in reinforcing the bond between generations and ensuring the well-being of the elderly population in the country.
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