Senate measure seeks to create registry for abusers of elderly

By THE STAR STAFF

Aguadilla District Sen. Karen Román Rodríguez introduced Senate Bill 729 on Tuesday, which seeks to establish the “Puerto Rico Elder Abusers Registry Act” to protect the senior population from acts of abuse, exploitation and neglect.

The measure proposes the creation of a registry attached to the Auxiliary Administration of Services for the Elderly and Adults with Disabilities, which is part of the Family Department’s Administration for Families and Children.

The registry would serve as a tool for the prevention, oversight and deterrence of all forms of elder abuse.

“Our older adult population deserves to live with dignity, respect, and protection,” Román Rodríguez said. “This registry seeks to ensure that no one with a history of abuse can reoffend in care settings or provide services to those who need support the most. It is a firm step toward a more just and sensitive Puerto Rico for those who have given so much to our country.”

According to data from the Puerto Rico Institute of Statistics, more than 24% of the island’s population was 60 years of age or older in 2020, and that figure is expected to continue to rise in the coming decades. However, the Family Department receives thousands of complaints of elder abuse each year, reflecting the urgent need for additional measures to address the problem.

The proposed registry would be confidential and available only to authorized personnel from the Family Department, investigative agencies and certified care facilities. The measure provides:

* A minimum five-year restriction is required for a person with a determination of abuse to work or be employed in long-term care facilities.

* Administrative review and judicial appeal processes, guaranteeing due process of law.

* Oversight by the Family Department Licensing Office to ensure compliance with the ban.

* Mandatory regulation within 180 days of the law’s approval.

“The aging of our population challenges us to develop innovative and decisive public policies,” Román Rodríguez said. “This bill is a vital tool to ensure that our seniors receive the protection and respect they deserve.”