Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to authorize electronic monitoring in certain health care facilities in Minnesota to help prevent and address patient abuse. This measure is intended to provide greater protection and peace of mind for vulnerable patients and their families.

Main Provisions

• Electronic Monitoring Authorization: The bill allows patients in specified health care facilities to monitor their rooms using electronic devices. This permission applies to patients who are admitted for a continuous period exceeding 24 hours.
• Facility Types Included: The health care facilities where electronic monitoring is permitted include hospitals, residential hospice facilities, and birth centers.
• Targeted Patient Groups: The bill is particularly aimed at protecting vulnerable groups such as elderly patients, young patients, neurodivergent patients, patients with physical or mental disabilities, pediatric patients, and those with impaired cognition.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill proposes to introduce new provisions into the Minnesota Statutes chapter 144, expanding the guidelines for electronic monitoring outlined in section 144.6502 to cover the specified health care facilities.
• This legislation seeks to formalize the use of electronic monitoring devices, ensuring a legal basis for such practices in the designated health care settings.

Relevant Terms

electronic monitoring, patient abuse, vulnerable patients, health care facilities, hospitals, hospice facilities, birth centers, neurodivergent, disabilities, pediatric, cognition, Minnesota Statutes chapter 144