A new law sponsored by Rep. Jason Knight will allow nursing home residents to choose to have cameras installed in their rooms.

The legislation (2024-S 2263A, 2024-H 7969A), which was signed into law last month, will allow for electronic monitoring of residents’ rooms in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, provided that all residents of the room consent in writing. 

The consent can be withdrawn at any time, and a variety of safeguards exist for protect resident privacy.

“This is about giving families and patients a sense of security,” Rep. Knight (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren) said. “This law takes advantage of the technology that is available today to allow for monitoring for a good purpose, which is to keep an eye on grandma or grandpa in the nursing home. The point of this monitoring isn’t adversarial, but rather to assist the collaborative care relationship between the resident, their family and the nursing home for the safety, health and benefit of all residents.”

The law was also sponsored by Senator Dawn Euer (D-Dist. 13, Newport, Jamestown).

“For residents and their loved ones who desire it, in-room cameras can provide a means of contact, oversight and protection,” said Sen. Euer. “This does not impose an additional cost on the nursing home, as the devices will be paid for by the resident or their family and it will not constitute an invasion of privacy, as cameras would only be installed at the request of the resident and with the consent of any and all roommates. Rather, this law will provide an additional tool to preserve continuity of care for residents and families who opt in.”