Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill

A proposed bill in India to put people who don't care for their aged parents on the wrong side of the law. From The Telegraph:

Aged parents without the means to maintain themselves will be guaranteed the right to live in the homes of their sons and daughters if the government accepts the suggestions of an MPs' panel.

The right would apply even if the son or daughter has built the house from his or her personal earnings, says the parliamentary standing committee on the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Bill, 2007.

The bill puts the same obligation on stepchildren and adopted children, and even on a relative if he is in possession of the senior citizen's property -- for instance, through inheritance.

The children must also pay the parents "maintenance" in the form of an allowance, and ensure their "welfare", which refers to "provision of food, health care, recreation centres", according to the committee.

Legislating morality often backfires, nevertheless, if this helps dissuade atleast some from abusing their parents trust, it may well be worth it.