SB821: Nursing facilities; use of electronic monitoring devices in resident rooms.

Legislative Summary

Nursing facilities; electronic monitoring in resident rooms. Permits residents of nursing facilities to have electronic monitoring devices placed in their rooms. The bill defines "electronic monitoring" as the use of a surveillance device with a fixed position video camera or audio recording device, or combination thereof, that is installed in a resident's room and broadcasts or records activities or sounds occurring within the confines of the room. The bill contains several provisions establishing the requirements for the placement and utilization of any such electronic monitoring device in any resident's room, including requirements relating to ensuring that residents or their legal representatives and residents' roommates or their legal representatives consent to the placement and utilization of electronic monitoring devices in their rooms. The bill directs the Virginia Board of Health to promulgate regulations consistent with the bill, and the provisions of the bill become effective when such regulations become effective.