What's happening
This bill allows nursing home patients in New York to install and use electronic monitoring devices in their rooms at their own expense.
Why it matters
Empowers nursing home residents and their families. by giving them the explicit right to install and operate their own video or audio monitoring devices, potentially increasing their sense of safety and control over their environment.
Could act as a deterrent against neglect or abuse. , since staff and caregivers would be aware of possible monitoring, leading to improved accountability and transparency in patient care.
Raises important privacy considerations. , as the use of cameras or audio devices in shared rooms may affect roommates and staff, potentially requiring new consent procedures and facility policies.
May influence the relationship between residents and facility administration. , as facilities will need to accommodate and regulate personal surveillance equipment, possibly leading to logistical, legal, and ethical challenges.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Cameras in Nursing Homes
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to health
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Nursing Home Room Cameras
In Assembly Committee · Health · Sponsor Aileen Gunther
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7138
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 3, 2018
Introduced by Sen. GRIFFO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Health
AN ACT to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing a nursing home patient to install, operate and maintain an electronic monitoring device in his or her room
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivision 3 of section 2803-c of the public health law is amended by adding a new paragraph q to read as follows:
q. Pursuant to regulations promulgated by the commissioner, every patient shall have the right, at his or her own expense, to install, operate and maintain an electronic monitoring device in his or her room. For the purposes of this section, the term "electronic monitoring device" shall mean a surveillance instrument with a fixed position video camera or an audio recording device, or a combination thereof, which is installed in a patient's room and broadcasts or records activity or sounds occurring in such room.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law; provided, however, that effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13860-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the public health law, in relation to authorizing a nursing home patient to install, operate and maintain an electronic monitoring device in his or her room
Purpose
This bill would allow a patient or their family to have an electronic monitoring device installed in his or her room at the expense of the individual or their family.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends the public health law to allow a patient or their fami- ly to install an electronic monitoring device at their own expense.
Section 2 is the effective date.
Justification
Nursing home residents and their families expect that they or their loved one will receive the best possible care from the facility charged with their supervision. Unfortunately, there have been cases demonstrat- ing neglect and outright abuse at some of these facilities; and though most nursing homes and their staff live up to the standards set forth by society, patients and their families, there are enough instances of neglect to necessitate an option for further monitoring by the resident and their family.
This bill allows for an individual or their family, at their own expense, to install an electronic monitoring device in their room to ensure that the level of care they are receiving is of the quality that is expected. In extreme circumstances this will allow for the monitoring of an individual who is suspected of suffering from abuse by any indi- vidual, be they an employee, a volunteer or another family member.
Legislative history
New Bill.
Fiscal implications
None
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.