Bill to Allow Livestream Video Monitoring in Iowa Nursing Homes Advances

A bill under consideration by the Iowa House of Representatives would permit nursing home residents to have livestream video monitoring services.  

The bill stipulates that nursing home residents or their representatives, such as legal guardians or family members, would need prior permission from their roommates. The self-purchased video system must livestream and not record video or audio footage. Signage would also be required to notify of which rooms are being electronically monitored.  

“We owe it not only to those residents, but we absolutely owe it to the staff and the facilities as well because this is a protection for everybody,” shared bill Co-sponsor Rep Brooke Boden (R-Indianola) with Iowa Public Radio.  

During the subcommittee hearing on January 23, there was no public opposition to the bill, but Rep Timi Brown-Powers (D-Waterloo) shared concerns about infringing on residents’ privacy and dignity.  

Lobbyists for the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) voiced strong opposition to the bill in 2023, but IHCA President Brent Willett said the group has a neutral stance on the bill this year.  

Nursing homes would be prohibited from discriminating or retaliating against residents based on their use of video monitoring or knowingly hampering with video systems.  

References

House File 537. 90th Iowa HR, (2023). www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ba=HF537  

Sostaric K. Bill to allow cameras in nursing home rooms advances in Iowa House. Iowa Public Radio. Published January 25, 2024. Accessed January 25, 2024. www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2024-01-25/bill-to-allow-cameras-in-nursing-home-rooms-advances-in-iowa-house