Senate approves bill ensuring assisted living residents have right to video security

State Sen. James Leewright has won unanimous approval in the Senate for Senate Bill 1739, the “Barbara E. Hoover Act,” protecting the use of video monitoring in assisted living centers.  The legislation, which was approved Tuesday, ensures all continuum of care facility residents have the same rights as nursing home residents.

“Several years ago, the Legislature passed a measure to safeguard the right of nursing home patients and their families to use video monitoring equipment in their own private room,” said Leewright, R-Bristow.  “This legislation updates that law to ensure residents in assisted living centers and other continuum of care facilities have that same right.”

Leewright’s bill is supported by AARP, the Oklahoma Silver-Haired Legislature and the Oklahoma Alliance on Aging.

“I filed this bill because I had a constituent in my district living in a long-term care facility.  The family had video monitoring equipment in her room, but they were threatened with eviction if they didn’t remove it,” Leewright said.  “This legislation modernizes our state law to make sure all long-term care facilities are covered and prohibits eviction or retaliation against residents who use video equipment for additional safety and security.”

The measure now moves across the rotunda for further consideration. Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa, is the principal author for the SB 1739 in the House.

For more information, contact Sen. James Leewright at 405-521-5528 or email James.Leewright@oksenate.gov.

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