Criminal Law (Adult Safeguarding) Bill 2026

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Creates new criminal offences to protect adults who need care and may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect, exploitation, or coercive control. It would make it an offence for carers or others in control to mistreat, endanger, coerce, or exploit such adults, and it would set penalties, let courts ban offenders from working with vulnerable adults, and allow publicity orders and anonymity protections to safeguard victims.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for offences committed against adults whose ability to guard themselves against violence, exploitation or abuse, whether physical, sexual or emotional, or against neglect by another person is significantly impaired; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 7 May 2026