The Connecticut state legislature passed wide-ranging bills earlier this month aimed at tackling perceived problems in long-term facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Among the reforms passed during the regular legislative session that wrapped up June 9, Senate Bill 975 amends the nursing home patients’ bill of rights and assisted living residents’ bill of rights so that residents can treat their living quarters as their own home. Also, residents may designate an “essential support person” who may enter a building in spite of any visitor restrictions in place.
Residents may have cameras installed to monitor activities in their rooms or facilitate virtual visits, although each resident must pay for installation and costs associated with the technology. Facilities are required to provide free internet access, electricity and a power source, but they have civil, criminal and administrative immunity from liability for residents’ use of the technology.
In a shared living situation, the bill requires “the resident or the resident’s representative to provide advanced notice to the roommate or the roommate’s representative specifying the type and location of the technology, its intended use and hours of operation, and whether it can record audio or video or be activated remotely.”
The bill was sent to Gov. Ned Lamont last week. If it becomes law, some provisions will take effect July 1, with others going into effect later this year.
