Senate Bill 485 proposes to amend existing laws regarding video surveillance in residential care settings for children and youth, specifically group homes, shelter care facilities, and child welfare agencies. The bill allows these facilities to utilize video monitoring in common areas, entrances, and exits without obtaining consent from the children being recorded. However, it mandates that the children and their guardians must be informed about the surveillance. Additionally, all such facilities are required to adopt a safety monitoring policy that may include video surveillance, but it explicitly states that this surveillance cannot replace one-on-one monitoring for children at high risk of self-harm.

The bill also modifies the rights of individuals receiving mental health services, allowing those placed in residential care centers, group homes, or shelter care facilities to be subject to video surveillance without their consent, as specified in the newly created statute 48.672. This change is reflected in the amendment to section 51.61 (1) (o), which now includes provisions for children in these settings to be filmed or taped without consent, aligning with the new regulations. The bill maintains confidentiality for the video data, with exceptions similar to those that apply to other records held by child welfare agencies.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 51.61(1)(o), 51.61