On Monday, legislation that would give elderly and vulnerable adults, and their guardians or families, the right to electronic monitoring unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee. The bill, authored by Senator Karin Housley (R-St. Marys Point), now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

“Putting into law the explicit right of elderly and vulnerable adults to place cameras in their rooms has been a top priority for a long time – and after months and months of stakeholder meetings, public testimony, and committee hearings, we’re finally nearing the finish line,” said Senator Housley, chairwoman of the Senate Family Care and Aging Committee. “It’s an example of coming together, working out policy differences, and getting something done.”

The bill, Senate File 11, would give residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, or a resident’s designated representative, the explicit right to use electronic monitoring devices in the resident’s room, provided all residents in a room give consent. The legislation, which would go into effect by January 1, 2020, prohibits facilities from retaliating against a resident using electronic monitoring or interfering with legally-placed devices.

The legislation is expected to be considered by the full Senate in the coming weeks.

Senator Housley continued: “Putting into law that electronic monitoring is allowed, and explicitly prohibiting retaliatory action against facility residents, is long overdue. This is about giving elderly and vulnerable Minnesotans, and their families, peace of mind knowing they or their loved one is being protected.”

Senator Karin Housley, of St. Marys Point, represents the Forest Lake area and the St. Croix River Valley in the Minnesota Senate. Senator Housley is chairwoman of the Family Care and Aging Committee and is an assistant majority leader.