Senate Bill 821 proposes that nursing home residents residing in a private room have the right to place electronic monitoring devices, such as cameras, in their rooms. However, the bill fails to protect the majority of nursing home residents and creates unnecessary burdens without addressing the real challenges facing long-term care in Virginia. Primary Concerns with SB 821: 1. Excludes Most Nursing Home Residents: The bill only applies to residents in private rooms, leaving out those in semi-private rooms (two or more beds). More than 90% of Virginia’s nursing home beds are licensed for Medicaid, and the vast majority of residents live in semi-private rooms, meaning this bill would exclude most nursing home residents from its protections. 2. Financial Burden on Residents and Families: Residents or their families would bear the full cost of purchasing and installing electronic monitoring equipment. Medicaid does not cover these costs, making it financially out of reach for many who need protection the most. 3. Disproportionate Impact on Low-Income and Minority Residents: Medicaid residents, who are disproportionately from low-income and minority communities, would be left out due to the bill’s private-room requirement. This worsens existing disparities in access to nursing home protections. 4. Harms High-Quality Providers: Non-profit nursing homes, like the Masonic Home of Virginia where I am employed, offers private rooms for all residents and we consistently deliver a high quality of care, and our community would be disproportionately affected by this bill. Non-profit homes like ours lead the way in ensuring high standards of care, and this bill would create unnecessary burdens without addressing the underlying issues facing nursing home care in Virginia. 5. Existing Protections: Virginia’s nursing homes already comply with robust regulations (VA Code § 32.1-138 and 12 VAC5-371-191) ensuring resident rights and transparency, including: -Privacy protections -Notice and disclosure requirements -Liability and cost considerations -Recording and data security measures The current framework allows residents and families to make informed decisions while supporting high-quality, person-centered care.

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Senate, Thank you for the opportunity to comment today. I want to express my strong opposition to Senate Bill 821, which proposes allowing nursing home residents in private rooms to install electronic monitoring devices, such as cameras. While the intention behind this bill may be to enhance the safety and oversight of residents, it ultimately fails to protect the majority of those in long-term care facilities and does not address the pressing challenges facing our nursing homes in Virginia. A major concern with SB 821 is that it only applies to residents in private rooms, excluding the vast majority who live in semi-private rooms. Over 90% of Virginia’s nursing home beds are licensed for Medicaid, and most residents are in shared accommodations. This exclusion creates a significant gap in care and oversight that cannot be overlooked. Additionally, the financial implications of this bill are troubling. Requiring residents or their families to cover the full cost of purchasing and installing electronic monitoring equipment imposes a heavy burden on those who are likely already struggling to meet basic living expenses. Since Medicaid does not cover these costs, this measure becomes out of reach for many residents who need protection the most. The bill's focus on private rooms disproportionately affects low-income and minority residents, who are often Medicaid recipients. By excluding these vulnerable populations, SB 821 exacerbates existing disparities in access to essential protections within nursing homes, leaving many without the oversight they deserve. Non-profit nursing homes, known for providing high-quality care and often offering private rooms, would also face undue challenges from this legislation. These facilities are already committed to high standards of care, and this bill would add unnecessary burdens without addressing the underlying issues in nursing home care. It’s important to note that Virginia's nursing homes already operate under robust regulations that ensure resident rights and transparency. Current laws include privacy protections, notice and disclosure requirements, and stringent liability considerations. These existing frameworks support informed decision-making for residents and families while promoting high-quality, person-centered care. In conclusion, I urge you to reject Senate Bill 821. Instead of creating a solution that benefits only a small subset of residents, we should focus on more comprehensive reforms that address the systemic issues facing all nursing home residents in Virginia. Let us work together to promote equitable care and ensure that all residents receive the protections they deserve. Thank you for your time and consideration, Kaitlyn Seyler, LNHA, CDP, QCP Kseyler@pinnacleliving.org

A letter in support of SB 1350 from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). AAFA is the leading patient organization for people with asthma and allergies, and the oldest asthma and allergy patient organization in the world.

The passing of SB 1350 is extremely important to not only our family, but the entire food allergy community who lives, works in, and visits Virginia. Food allergies are on the rise and are extremely serious, in some cases, even life threatening. Staff being aware of allergens in a restaurant setting and being able to clearly communicate them to guests accurately is paramount to the safety and well-being of diners. Raising awareness of this important issue is the first step to ensuring a safe dining experience for all those afflicted with food allergies, giving them accurate knowledge and empowering them to make the safest choice.