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The Select Committee on Social Services has adopted a set of amendments to the Older Persons Amendment Bill after considering public submissions and inputs from the Department of Social Development.
 
The objective of the Bill is to amend the Older Persons Act, 2006, so as to insert new definitions; to insert new provisions relating to the monitoring and evaluation of all services to older persons; to provide for the removal of older persons to a temporary safe care without a court order; to tighten up the existing implementation and compliance measures; to effect some textual amendments for greater clarity; and to provide for matters connected therewith.
 
The key amendments agreed to by the committee include: expanding the definition of “caregiver” and “family care” to include any other person providing support and assistance to older persons; amending the definition of “inter-departmental structure” to include additional government departments; and inserting a new object of the Act to “prevent and combat ageism against older persons”.

Other amendments require a court order within 48 hours for the temporary safe care placement of an older person, and mandate that persons with expunged criminal records must provide proof of rehabilitation before being allowed to work with older persons.

The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Desery Fienies, said the amendments aim to strengthen protections and support for older persons in South Africa. “The committee has worked hard to ensure this legislation comprehensively addresses the needs and rights of older persons, based on the valuable input received from the public and stakeholders.”

The amended Older Persons Amendment Bill will now be submitted to the National Council of Provinces for further consideration.
 
Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Social Services, Desery Fienies