The bill, known as Billy Cray's Law, mandates the installation of electronic monitoring devices in common areas of group homes and supervised apartments for individuals with developmental disabilities, contingent upon obtaining written consent from all residents involved. Licensees are required to inform residents and their authorized representatives about their rights regarding electronic monitoring and must make reasonable accommodations for its use. If a resident's roommate declines consent, the licensee must offer the resident an opportunity to transfer to another facility, if feasible. The bill also establishes liability for licensees who fail to ensure that monitoring does not occur in private areas and outlines penalties for non-compliance, starting at $5,000 for the first offense.

Furthermore, the legislation assigns the Department of Human Services the responsibility of providing grants to cover the costs of installing these monitoring devices and developing consent forms and guidelines for their use. The Division of Developmental Disabilities will create best practices and submit reports to the Governor and Legislature on the implementation of the act. This bill is named in honor of Billy Cray, a resident who tragically passed away in a group home, underscoring the critical need for enhanced monitoring to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities.