The proposed bill introduces regulations for authorized electronic monitoring in nursing facilities in Iowa, defining key terms such as "electronic monitoring," "electronic monitoring device," "resident," and "resident representative." It allows residents or their representatives to conduct electronic monitoring in their rooms with written consent, which must include notification and consent forms. If a resident shares a room, consent from the roommate is also required. The bill mandates that nursing facilities accommodate these requests while ensuring compliance with privacy laws and providing necessary signage to inform visitors of the monitoring.

Additionally, the bill protects residents' rights by prohibiting discrimination or retaliation from nursing facilities based on their decisions regarding electronic monitoring. It clarifies that facilities are not liable for unlawful recordings made by monitoring devices if they adhere to the regulations. The bill also voids any contractual provisions that limit residents' rights to electronic monitoring, ensuring their autonomy. It requires nursing facilities to report the number of consent forms received during recertification surveys and directs the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to create a notification and consent form for public access. The provisions will be codified as a new subchapter of Chapter 135C, titled "Electronic Monitoring."

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 135C.54