Channel 19 Asks About "The Form"

Thank you to Sara Goldenberg and Channel 19 to get all sides of the story out! They also were able to get the question answered we have been unable to get. You can see the story here. The camera law in Ohio has been difficult to understand for some of us. We hear what is being said in social media and the news that cameras will be allowed in rooms, but the bill does not seem to say that.

The last comment stated by the anchor we believe clears this up. This bill is permissive not mandatory. So, the bottom line appears to be if a facility gives permission to put in a camera, they will have a form to fill out with certain required information. If the facility does not give permission, there will be no form.

In our opinion, this law does nothing differnt than asking can a camera be put in. The answer has always been no to putting a camera in a resident’s room except for rare instances. Why would this bill change anything if nothing is madatory.

Now we think we get why the Ohio Healthcare Association is not opposing this law. Why would they?

We do see a pattern here, that in laws that have been brought forward to help residents since the pandemic appear to give the option for the facilities to follow the law. These laws asking for voluntary participation from facilities won’t work in our opininon.

We need to stop using the law to ask something nicely. It’s time to stop making laws favorable to the industry and make laws that are enforceable and protect residents in long term care . We are finding it hard to find laws that actually do what is intended.

Time will tell on the camera law when families go to put in these cameras.