LeadingAge Ohio urges statutory clarifications on privacy and bandwidth in SB 154 (Esther’s Law expansion)

Eli Faze, public policy director for LeadingAge Ohio, testified to the Senate Health Committee that while LeadingAge Ohio supports the intent of Senate Bill 154 to expand transparency in long‑term care monitoring, the bill requires additional clarifications on resident privacy, HIPAA compliance, and infrastructure costs.

Faze told the committee that in shared rooms a monitoring device may capture protected health information of a roommate and recommended the statute require written consent from any roommate before electronic monitoring devices are used. "Cameras or audio recording devices may capture conversations or care activities involving another resident whose protected health information could be recorded without their knowledge or consent," he said.

Faze also raised operational concerns about bandwidth and Internet reliability. He said many consumer‑grade monitoring devices rely on continuous streaming that can significantly increase bandwidth demands and affect services used by residents and staff. LeadingAge Ohio recommended allowing providers to recover reasonable costs for connectivity and installation while limiting costs for residents under Medicaid.

Committee members noted that Esther’s Law already addresses roommate permission in some contexts; Faze said the intent of his testimony was to seek added statutory clarity to avoid HIPAA and operational pitfalls as the law is applied more broadly. He said LeadingAge Ohio supports targeted amendments to achieve the bill’s goals while protecting resident privacy and ensuring infrastructure viability.

The committee concluded the third hearing on Senate Bill 154; witnesses said they expect to review potential amendments.