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Ohio - Resident Rights in Assisted Living
Ohio - Resident Rights in Assisted Living
Updated this week

In Ohio, residents in assisted living facilities (also called Residential Care Facilities or RCFs) have well-defined rights to privacy and communication, but there is no explicit statewide law that automatically grants them the right to install surveillance cameras in their rooms. However, Ohio's laws do provide certain protections and rights that can guide how communication and potential camera use might be handled. Here's a breakdown of how these rights apply to private communication, video calls, and the use of surveillance cameras in resident rooms:

Right to Private Communication in Ohio:

1. Personal Communication:

  • Telephone and Written Correspondence: Ohio law ensures that residents in assisted living facilities have the right to make and receive private telephone calls and to send and receive mail without interference from the facility (Ohio Administrative Code 3701-17-15). Residents are entitled to communicate privately with people outside of the facility, including family members, friends, and legal representatives.

  • Private Meetings: Ohio's resident rights statutes ensure that residents have the right to private visits from family, friends, legal representatives, or clergy. These meetings must be private, meaning they cannot be monitored by staff unless the resident specifically requests assistance.

2. Video Calls:

  • Protected Communication Rights: Like phone calls and written correspondence, residents have the right to engage in private electronic communication, including video calls (e.g., Zoom, FaceTime, Skype). Facilities must provide reasonable opportunities for residents to use these communication methods in private.

  • Privacy During Calls: Facilities are required to provide residents with a private setting for video calls if requested. Video calls should not be monitored or recorded by staff without the resident’s explicit consent, ensuring that the resident's privacy is respected.

3. Electronic Communication:

  • Internet Access and Email: Residents also have the right to access electronic forms of communication, such as email or social media. If residents need assistance in using these tools, facilities must provide help while maintaining the resident’s privacy.

4. Assistance with Communication:

  • Residents who require assistance with communication due to physical or cognitive impairments must be provided with reasonable help by the facility, but this assistance should not infringe on their privacy. The staff's role is to assist while allowing the resident full control over their communications.

Surveillance Cameras in Ohio Assisted Living Facilities:

Ohio does not have a specific law that guarantees residents the right to install surveillance cameras in their rooms, but there are several legal considerations that would impact the use of cameras in these settings:

1. Privacy and Consent:

  • Resident Consent: Residents generally have the right to install a camera in their private room for monitoring or safety purposes, but the facility's policies and state privacy laws must be followed. A camera may only be installed with the full knowledge and consent of the resident.

  • Roommate Consent: If the resident shares the room with a roommate, Ohio law would require the consent of the roommate before any surveillance camera is installed. This ensures that the roommate's privacy rights are protected, and they are not recorded without their permission.

  • Facility Notification: While Ohio law does not specifically mandate that facilities be informed of camera installations, many facilities require notification to ensure compliance with privacy standards and to manage any potential risks related to the rights of other residents and staff.

2. Ohio Resident Rights in Assisted Living Facilities:

  • Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3721 outlines residents' rights in assisted living facilities, including the right to privacy, dignity, and freedom from unauthorized surveillance. These rights suggest that the installation of a camera should be carefully considered to ensure that it does not infringe on the resident's right to privacy in personal matters, such as bathing, dressing, and medical care.

3. Ohio Privacy Laws:

  • Invasion of Privacy: Ohio law protects individuals from being recorded in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in their own private living quarters or shared bedrooms. Any recording, especially audio recording, must comply with Ohio's two-party consent law, meaning all parties being recorded must consent to it.

  • Two-Party Consent for Recording: Ohio is a two-party consent state for audio recordings, so any surveillance camera that records sound must have the explicit consent of all individuals being recorded, including roommates, visitors, and staff, if they are present.

4. HIPAA and Health Privacy:

  • Any camera that could capture health-related discussions or activities must comply with federal HIPAA regulations to ensure that sensitive health information is protected. This would apply to cameras installed in rooms where medical discussions or treatments occur.

Facility-Specific Policies:

  • Policies Vary by Facility: Because Ohio does not have a specific law governing the installation of surveillance cameras in resident rooms, individual facilities often establish their own policies. These policies may vary widely, with some facilities allowing cameras under certain conditions and others prohibiting them altogether for privacy or security reasons. It is crucial to check the facility’s policy before installing any camera.

Legal Considerations:

  • Facility’s Responsibility: The facility must ensure that residents' rights to privacy and dignity are upheld. If a camera is installed, the facility will typically require that it is positioned in a way that does not capture inappropriate activities, such as personal care or dressing, to avoid violating privacy standards.

Advocacy and Legislation:

  • There have been ongoing discussions and advocacy efforts in many states, including Ohio, to pass laws specifically addressing the use of surveillance cameras in assisted living and long-term care facilities. However, as of now, Ohio has not passed any legislation that provides a blanket right for residents to install cameras in their rooms.

Key Takeaway:

In Ohio, residents of assisted living facilities have the right to private communication, including video calls and electronic communications, as protected by state law. However, there is no explicit statewide law that automatically grants residents the right to install surveillance cameras in their rooms. Whether or not a resident can install a camera will depend largely on the policies of the specific facility, as well as consent from any roommates and compliance with privacy laws.

If you are considering installing a camera in a resident’s room, it is essential to consult with the facility to understand its policies and ensure that all parties involved (residents, roommates, staff) have provided consent. It is also necessary to comply with Ohio’s privacy laws and federal regulations like HIPAA.

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