An Iowa House subcommittee unanimously advanced a bill that would allow surveillance cameras in residents’ rooms in nursing homes. (Photo via Getty Images)
Eight months ago, nursing home lobbyists said they’d work this year to kill legislation allowing cameras in nursing homes, but on Tuesday they said they were neutral on the idea.
The bill in question, House File 537 , would prevent nursing homes from prohibiting the use of so-called “granny cams” that provide families with a video feed of activity inside a resident’s room. For residents who reside in a shared room, the roommate would have to agree to the use of the camera, and a notice posted to the door would alert visitors and staff to the presence of the camera.
For the past several years, the bill has faced stiff opposition from the nursing home industry and hasn’t advanced. On Tuesday, however, the three-member House Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee unanimously agreed to forward the bill for consideration by the full committee.