Novi Times

Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) created a petition to push for the allowance of cameras to be installed in nursing home residents' rooms, according to MiSenateGOP.

The Nursing Home Cameras Petition is asking constituents to support Senate Bill 77, which would require nursing home facilities to allow cameras in residents' rooms so that residents or their representatives could monitor the private rooms. 

“Cameras can act as a deterrent to some of the most heinous behavior taking place, and they can give peace of mind to family members worried about the care of their loved ones,” said Runestad on MiSenateGOP. “If an episode of abuse does happen and is caught on tape, legal video evidence can be used to bring justice to the abusers.”

The Senate bill and the petition came to fruition after a video was made public in May in which a 75-year-old nursing home resident in Detroit was beaten up by a 20-year-old roommate.

“I urge everyone to sign this petition to let leaders in Michigan know that residents should be allowed to install a camera in their nursing home if they wish,” Runestad said, according to MiSenateGOP. “Make your voice heard now!"

Under the bill, residents and their family members would have the ability to watch over their room. The resident and the family would pay for and oversee the cameras. All roommates must consent to having a camera in the room if the room is shared.

There would also be signs posted in the facility itself and in the rooms alerting everyone that cameras are present. The bill also includes options for covering the cameras during medical procedures or other sensitive times to allow for privacy protection.

“It shouldn’t take a viral video of abuse or a global pandemic to convince our leaders that we ought to be protecting our seniors,” Runestad told MiSenateGOP. “It’s long past time we do something to protect nursing home residents from abuse.”