Bill to allow cameras in nursing homes sails through House with no opposition, heads to Senate

April 05--A bill that would ensure nursing home residents have the right to place surveillance cameras in their rooms sailed through the Louisiana House Wednesday night without any opposition.

The bill's original sponsor State Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans, said the measure promotes a safer environment for residents and gives family members piece of mind.

It was inspired by a Slidell nursing home resident Ann Graff, who was found by her daughter with a black eye and a severe back injury that no one at the facility could explain. Graff later died in her room.

Moreno said the cameras could have hastened medical help for the woman who aspirated alone in her room. It also could have helped identify the cause of her initial back injury. And if she was initially injured by her own doing, the cameras could have absolved the nursing homes of liability and eliminated suspicion from the family.

Purchasing and installing the cameras would fall to the residents or their families. And residents and their roommates would have to sign privacy waivers before cameras would be installed.

The bill was backed by AARP of Louisiana.

"This bill gives nursing home residents and their families an opportunity to stay virtually connected to their loved ones," said AARP lobbyist Andrew Muhl. "We are committed to protecting older adults and their families in Louisiana, and now turn our focus toward the Senate to pass this important legislation and ensure it is signed into law."

The bill heads to Senate committee next. Moreno, who leaves the Legislature next week to take her new position with the New Orleans City Council, transferred the bill to State Rep. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge.

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