A green light given for ‘granny cams’

With help from the Georgia Supreme Court, “granny cams” now have a chance of gaining approval in the General Assembly.

The House approved House Bill 605, which would set rules and restrictions for families to place the cameras within senior care homes.

The bill would:

■ Allow a resident or family member to install a camera to monitor a room after disclosing the plan to the senior care home.

■ Prevent use of a hidden camera.

■ Require, in cases where the senior has a roommate, that person’s permission.

■ Set guidelines for authorizing when a camera can be turned off, such as when a resident is being dressed or bathed, or when the resident is meeting with a spiritual adviser or attorney.

Rep. Sharon Cooper, R-Marietta, said she introduced the “compromise” bill to balance the interests of residents, families and long-term care homes after a high court ruling suggested residents could install hidden cameras for security purposes.

Some advocates worried, though, that the bill favors the interests of the long-term care industry over the residents and families. A particular concern was that staff might turn off the camera inappropriately.