Gov. Pritzker signs new law expanding optional use of cameras in long-term care facilities

(WAND) - Gov. JB Pritzker has signed a measure that lets residents of assisted living and shared housing establishments exercise the right to use electronic monitoring to enhance transparency and safety.

A similar law allowing cameras in residents’ rooms in nursing homes has existed in Illinois since 2016.

The law lets residents install a video and/or audio recording device in their room.

Under current state law, nursing home residents can install an electronic monitoring device in their room at their own expense as long as the roommate agrees to having the device in the room Consent can be revoked at any time.

The newly signed bill extends those protections to more than 28,600 residents of assisted living and shared housing communities.

The camera has be be installed in a visible location, and there has to be a sign outside the door saying the room is being monitored.

House Bill 4517 passed the legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Pritzker on June 26.