Oklahoma Bill Allows for Electronic Monitoring in Nursing Homes

A measure passed by the Oklahoma Senate would allow residents in nursing homes to install electronic monitoring devices in their private rooms. Senate Bill 587 also prohibits nursing facilities from refusing to admit any potential resident because they want their room monitored or from removing a resident because of authorized electronic monitoring.

The bill by Sen. Ron Justice, would allow for such installation if the resident or their legal representative paid for the monitoring.

The measure was requested by The Silver Haired Legislature and is a priority bill for the AARP Oklahoma, the state’s largest senior organization with over 410,000 members statewide.

SB 587 requires nursing homes to let current and perspective residents or their legal representatives know about the opportunity for electronic monitoring in their private rooms.

Justice said another important aspect of the bill is that any tape or recording created through the authorized electronic monitoring can be admitted into evidence in a civil or criminal court action or administrative proceeding.

“In some cases, families suspect that their loved one is being abused or neglected but they don’t have enough evidence of such treatment to hold their nursing facility accountable. This bill will empower families by providing them with solid, admissible evidence of such treatment if it exists,” said Justice.

SB 587 now moves to the House.