In view of the increase of elderly persons abandoned in the country's hospitals, the Governor of Puerto Rico signed into Law 130-2024 Senate Bill 1085 to amend Law 121-2019, as amended, known as the “Bill of Rights and Public Policy of the Government in Favor of the Elderly” with the intention of imposing responsibilities on family members or legal guardians who do not comply with their obligation before them and leave them abandoned in these institutions.
The measure seeks to legally prosecute family members who engage in this practice and have to reimburse all expenses incurred after medical discharge for their care.
Municipalities, as well as departments, agencies, public corporations, among others, will be able to collaborate in identifying and reporting situations of abandonment, abuse or neglect to the pertinent authorities, according to available resources. They may establish orientation programs for personnel on the subject and develop intervention protocols to attend to our elderly who are victims of situations such as these.
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