Families may soon be allowed to install surveillance cameras in the rooms of nursing home residents under a new proposal by an Ohio lawmaker.  

Ohio State Rep. Juanita Brent (D) issued a letter last week asking for co-sponsors on forthcoming legislation that would allow residents of a residential facility to conduct electronic monitoring in their rooms, News 5 Cleveland reported. The deadline for potential co-sponsors was Monday. 

At least six states have adopted measures that allow for in-room cameras at nursing homes within the last several years. Earlier this year, experts called for additional research about the use of cameras in resident rooms — citing ethical implications, like privacy homes and potential negative effects on staffers. 

If approved by state lawmakers, residents or their power of attorney would have to first agree to any surveillance camera being installed in their room. 

“The goal behind this legislation is to give elderly residents and their families the option to place an ‘electronic monitoring device’ in a fixed position to record activities and sounds occurring in the room. The objective is to mitigate the occurrences of Elderly Abuse within nursing home settings in Ohio,” Brent wrote. 

The Ohio Health Care Association said patient privacy was a top concern regarding the issue. 

“We are happy to work with any legislator on electronic monitoring, as was the case with the 2013 legislation that ultimately did not pass,” Executive Director Peter Van Runkle told McKnight’s. 

“Our interest is that the legislation also protect the privacy rights of the patient who is being surveilled and other patients and that the electronic monitoring does not fall into the wrong hands,” he added. 

LeadingAge Ohio also stressed the importance of addressing the issue while not compromising the privacy of residents. 

“We share Rep. Brent’s desire for quality care in Ohio and protections for our elders receiving long-term services and supports. If abuse occurs, our members want to know about it immediately so they can act in the best interest of the elder,” President and CEO Kathryn Brod told McKnight’s. 

“It is important to remember that nursing homes are just that — homes. So it is important to find solutions that promote safe care to the older adult, while also respecting their desire for privacy,” she added.