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HB 5142

AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF TECHNOLOGY FOR VIRTUAL MONITORING IN RESIDENTIAL CARE HOMES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Saud Anwar and 19 co-sponsors

Requires Connecticut nursing homes and care facilities to provide virtual visitation technology and establish monitoring systems with standards for privacy, access, and implementation.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
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Bill Summary · HB 5142

Legislative bill overview

HB 5142 establishes regulatory frameworks and requirements for nursing homes and residential care facilities to implement technology-enabled virtual visitation and monitoring systems. The bill aims to enhance family access to residents and oversight of care quality through digital platforms while establishing standards for implementation and data privacy.

Why is this important

Family visitation is critical for resident mental health and quality of life, particularly for isolated elderly populations. Technology solutions can expand access for geographically distant family members and provide an additional accountability mechanism for care facilities—issues that gained prominence following COVID-19 visitation restrictions. Proper regulation ensures these systems genuinely improve care outcomes rather than becoming substitutes for in-person oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Mandatory vs. optional implementation: Whether facilities must offer these technologies or can opt-in, potentially creating disparities in access for families of residents at non-participating facilities
  • Privacy and surveillance balance: How to protect resident privacy and dignity while enabling family monitoring, including concerns about constant recording, consent protocols, and data security
  • Cost allocation: Whether implementation expenses fall on facilities (potentially raising care costs), residents/families, or receive state subsidy, affecting affordability and accessibility
  • Data ownership and retention: Who controls recorded visits, how long data is retained, and what protections exist against misuse by facility staff or unauthorized parties

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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