An Act to combat maltreatment of seniors and other persons of full age in vulnerable situations (L-6.3)

This Act, adopted by the Québec National Assembly on May 30, 2017, aims to prevent maltreatment, provide victims with support services, impose obligations on institutions and establish guidelines for reporting maltreatment.

This Act defines maltreatment, also known as “maltreatment”, as “a single or repeated act, or a lack of appropriate action, that occurs in a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, and that intentionally or unintentionally causes harm or distress to a person”  (s. 2).

This Act defines a person in a vulnerable situation as “a person of full age whose ability to request or obtain assistance is temporarily or permanently limited because of factors such as a restraint, limitation, illness, disease, injury, impairment or handicap, which may be physical, cognitive or psychological in nature, such as a physical or intellectual disability or an autism spectrum disorder” (s. 2).

• Older adults
• Individuals of full age in a vulnerable situation
• Incapacitated people
• Individuals with a mental health disorder
• Individuals with autism spectrum disorder
• Individuals with a physical disability
• Individuals with an intellectual disability

Youth who are victims of mistreatment are taken into care by the Youth Protection Directorate.

On April 6, 2022, an Act to Combat Maltreatment of Seniors and other Persons of Full Age in Vulnerable Situations (L-6.3) was enhanced and strengthened. The main changes that were made include:

• The inclusion of individuals of full age in a vulnerable situation;
• The implementation of the collaborative intervention process (PIC);
• A ban on reprisals and prosecution in an effort to protect individuals who report or disclose maltreatment;
• The addition of criminal offences to deter acts of mistreatment and strengthen its zero-tolerance position on maltreatment;
• The broadening of the criteria for the mandatory reporting of maltreatment.

For a more detailed overview of the amendments made to L-6.3: 

https://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/msss/fichiers/2022/22-819-02W.pdf (available in French only)