Arizona Committee Urges Lawmakers to Allow Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities

The Arizona Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee has unanimously issued a supplemental recommendation calling on the Legislature to consider granting residents of long-term care facilities the right to use privately funded electronic monitoring devices and internet services in their personal living spaces, if requested by the resident or their authorized representative.

The recommendation aims to strengthen transparency, autonomy, and safety for vulnerable adults living in assisted living facilities, skilled nursing facilities, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) group homes, nursing-supported group homes, and intermediate care facilities.

Under the proposal, residents could install electronic monitoring devices while state agencies—including the Department of Economic Security, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, and the Department of Health Services—work with lawmakers to analyze real-world data from facilities that already allow monitoring. The analysis will examine impacts on:

• Complaint trends
• Resident rights and autonomy
• Incidents of injuries and falls
• Adult Protective Services involvement
• Staffing patterns

To support this effort, the Committee will appoint a work group to collect and share data. Findings will inform future policy decisions aimed at improving safety and quality of care for Arizona’s vulnerable adults.

“Families deserve peace of mind knowing their loved ones are safe and treated with dignity,” said Dana Marie Kennedy, AARP Arizona State Director. “Electronic monitoring can be an important tool to promote transparency and accountability while respecting the rights of residents. We urge lawmakers to act on this recommendation and give residents the choice to protect themselves. We want to make it very clear this is not a State Mandate”.

The Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee was established to review and recommend improvements to Arizona’s systems serving vulnerable adults, ensuring dignity, safety, and quality of life for individuals in long-term care settings.