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S.F. No. 11 - Electronic Monitoring in Nursing and Assisted Living Facilities - As Amended by the A-5 Delete-Everything Amendment
 
Author: Senator Karin Housley
 
Prepared By: Liam Monahan, Senate Analyst (651/296-1791)
 
Date: February 5, 2019



 

S.F. No. 11 establishes the conditions under which electronic motoring is a protected right of residents of a nursing facility, a boarding care home, or certain housing with services establishments, including assisted living settings

Section 1 [144.6502 – Electronic Monitoring in Certain Health Care Facilities]

Subdivision 1 provides definitions of “electronic monitoring,” “commissioner,” “department,” “electronic monitoring device,” “facility,” “resident,” and “resident representative.”

Paragraph (f) defines a facility as a nursing home, a boarding care home, or a housing with services establishment that is either an assisted living establishment or that has a special unit, such as a dementia care unit.

Subdivision 2 authorizes a resident or resident representative to conduct electronic monitoring of the resident’s room or private living unit and clarifies that electronic monitoring as defined in this section is not a covered service under the medical assistance home and community-based waiver plans.

Subdivision 3, paragraphs (a) and (b), require the resident to consent in writing to electronic monitoring. If the resident has not affirmatively objected and the resident’s medical professional determines the resident currently lacks the ability to understand and appreciate the consequences of electronic monitoring, the resident representative may consent on the resident’s behalf.

Paragraph (c) provides that the resident may place conditions on monitoring.

Paragraph (d) requires a resident to obtain a roommate’s consent.  The same consent requirements that apply to the resident apply to the roommate.

Paragraph (e) requires a resident to obtain consent from a new roommate.  

Paragraph (f) allows a resident or roommate to withdraw consent at any time.

Subdivision 4 requires a facility to make a reasonable attempt to accommodate a resident who wants to conduct electronic monitoring if a roommate refuses or withdraws consent. A facility is not required to provide a private room if a resident is unable to pay the requisite rate or rent.

Subdivision 5, paragraph (a), requires notice to the facility, except as provided in paragraph (f), prior to a resident beginning electronic monitoring.

Paragraphs (b) and (c) require facilities to maintain signed notification and consent forms on file and make them available for updating. 

Paragraphs (d) and (e) require facilities to remove electronic monitoring devices if the facility does not have a valid consent form on file.

Paragraph (f) provides an exception to the requirement that a resident or resident representative provide notice to a facility prior to conducting electronic monitoring. If the resident meets the listed qualifications, notifies the Office of the Ombudsman for Long-term Care prior to conducting the electronic monitoring, and adheres to the requirements of this paragraph, then the electronic monitoring without notice to the facility is permitted for up to 14 days.

Subdivision 6 specifies the requirements for the notification and consent form. Beginning January 1, 2020, facilities must make the form available and inform residents of their option to conduct electronic monitoring.

Subdivision 7 specifies that the resident is responsible for the cost of installation and monitoring of an electronic monitoring device. The facility must make a reasonable attempt to accommodate the resident’s installation needs.

Subdivision 8 requires facilities, at their own expense, to post signage stating that electronic monitoring may be occurring in the facility.

Subdivision 9 prohibits anyone from knowingly and without permission interfering with an electronic monitoring device unless it is done at the resident's request or because a resident or roommate withdrew consent.

Subdivision 10 prohibits anyone from accessing any recordings without permission and prohibits dissemination of recordings except to address the health, safety, or welfare of a resident.

Subdivision 11 provides for the admissibility of a recording as evidence in legal proceedings.

Subdivision 12 provides a facility with immunity from state civil or criminal liability as a result of a resident or resident representative disseminating a recording.

Subdivision 13 prohibits a facility from refusing to admit or from removing a resident, or retaliating or discriminating against a resident for the resident’s choices with respect to electronic monitoring.  A facility may not prevent the installation or use of electronic monitoring provided the resident has satisfied the requirement that written consent be obtained and notice provided as required under subdivision 5.

Subdivision 14 specifies penalties that may be imposed on facilities by the commissioner of health for violations of this section.

Section 2 [Transition to Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Certain Health Care Facilities] requires anyone conducting electronic monitoring to comply with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 144.6502, by January 1, 2020.

Section 3 [Direction to the Commissioner of Health] requires the Commissioner of Health by January 1, 2020, to develop and make available on the department’s website a notification and consent form for electronic monitoring that meets the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 144.6502, subdivision 6.

 

 

 
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