Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 177 amends the Health and Safety Code to establish provisions regulating the use of electronic monitoring devices in the rooms of residents of convalescent homes, nursing homes, or related institutions. The bill requires the institutions to permit a resident, or the resident's guardian or legal representative, to monitor the resident's room through the use of an electronic monitoring device. The bill requires conspicuous notice at the entrance of the room stating that the room is monitored, as well as notice at the entrance of the institution stating that electronic monitoring devices may be in use.

            The bill prohibits an institution from refusing admission or removing a resident because of the request to conduct electronic monitoring and requires the institution to make certain reasonable accommodations for the monitoring. In addition, an institution is prohibited from removing a resident for covert electronic monitoring. The bill also establishes provisions related to reporting abuse and neglect of residents, as well as enforcement guidelines for institutions that refuse a request to conduct electronic monitoring or bar admission or remove a resident for conducting authorized or covert electronic monitoring.