Barbara E. Hoover Act signed into law

Legislation protecting the use of video monitoring for residents in assisted living centers and continuum of care facilities was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday. Authored by Sen. James Leewright, R-Bristow, the measure offers these residents the same level of protection as those in nursing homes.

The legislature previously passed a law allowing nursing home residents and their families to install video cameras or recording devices in individual rooms to ensure proper treatment and care. Senate Bill 1739 expands this level of protection to include assisted living centers and continuum of care facilities.

“The family of a constituent in a long-term care facility reached out to me after they were threatened with eviction if they didn’t remove the video monitoring system they’d installed in the room,” Leewright said. “This legislation closes this loophole and ensures residents in these facilities have the same protection and rights as those in nursing homes. No one should be threatened for checking-in on their loved ones through electronic monitoring devices.”

The measure is supported by the AARP, the Oklahoma Silver-Haired Legislature and the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging.

“This legislation helps to protect vulnerable Oklahomans residing in long-term care facilities and gives their loved ones a greater say in their care,” said Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, the House principal author of the measure. “Our long-term care facilities should welcome such monitoring as it ensures they are offering the best care to their residents.”

For more information, contact:

Sen. James Leewright at 405-521-5528, or email James.Leewright@oksenate.gov

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