JEDDAH: The Shoura Council is studying a draft law that would jail and fine those abusing the elderly physically and financially, according to a local media report on Monday.

The punishment stipulated in the “Rights and Care of the Elderly” law submitted by former Shoura member Salem Al-Marie, states that if caregivers use the money of the persons in their care, penalties would include written warnings, jail for three months and a fine of up to SR10,000. Another caregiver would be assigned to manage the funds.

If the money is not returned, the person would be imprisoned for a further three months, and possibly face more severe sanctions under other laws.

Caregivers also face jail of between three months and three years if found guilty of physical or psychological abuse, or forcing those in their care to beg.

The law, to be discussed Wednesday at the Shoura, is aimed at ensuring the material, moral, medical and psychological care of the elderly. It also warns against elderly people being placed in old age homes without their consent.

The law obliges the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide regular assistance to the elderly, and to exempt them from paying fees for public services, the report said.