NJ group home camera bill draws renewed push ahead of State House rally
A2705 would expand monitoring requirements at certain facilities while establishing consent and footage-access protections.
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New Jersey already permits cameras in group homes for people with developmental disabilities. Now, families are pushing legislation that would require certain facilities to install them if residents and their authorized representatives collectively request them and unanimously consent, according to the bill.
Assembly Bill A2705 would establish statewide requirements for video monitoring in common areas, including allowing residents and their authorized representatives to review recordings. Supporters say footage could provide additional documentation when questions arise about residents' care, while critics question whether additional surveillance strikes the right balance between safety and personal liberty.
The legislation is drawing renewed attention ahead of a rally Monday outside the State House in Trenton, where advocates plan to call for a legislative vote.
Sponsored by Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, A2705 was discussed by the Assembly Health Infrastructure Committee on Sept. 14 but did not receive a vote.
Why families want cameras
Aileen Rivera, who has advocated for the legislation alongside Martha Cray, said she began advocating for greater protections for people with developmental disabilities after her son was physically abused in 2010.
"It's personal for me and I do not want any family to ever feel they are alone," Rivera told News 12 in an email.
The proposal is also known as Billy Cray's Law, after Martha Cray's son, who died in 2017. Cray told News 12 that the legislation grew out of her son's death.
Rivera believes cameras could provide a record of what happens inside group homes, particularly when questions arise about a resident's care.
But the proposal has also raised concerns about privacy inside places residents call home.
DePhillips told News 12 that earlier versions of the legislation included provisions allowing cameras in private living spaces. His office removed those provisions after becoming aware of privacy concerns.
"In response to those concerns, we made the decision to focus A2705 exclusively on common areas of the group home," DePhillips said.
Rivera believes restricting monitoring to common areas addresses the privacy issue, arguing that cameras can document what actually happens.
What would change under A2705?
Under current New Jersey rules, group home providers seeking to install cameras must first have a monitoring policy approved by the Department of Human Services' Office of Licensing.
In a written response to News 12, the department said approved camera policies may include requirements such as limiting surveillance to common areas, keeping recordings confidential and restricting access to authorized staff. The guidance also addresses prohibiting families and guardians from independently installing cameras or viewing a provider's surveillance footage.
A2705 would establish additional requirements for certain group homes serving people with developmental disabilities who have higher support needs.
Group homes covered by A2705 that do not already have cameras in their common areas would be required to install them following a collective request and the express agreement and consent of all residents and their authorized representatives.
Residents could withdraw their consent, and current residents could not be required to agree to monitoring as a condition of remaining in their homes. The bill also protects residents from being denied timely placement in appropriate housing without surveillance because they refuse or withdraw consent.
Cameras installed under the bill could record video only, not audio, and would be prohibited in bathrooms and other private areas. Providers would be required to keep recordings for 90 days, and residents or their authorized representatives could request access to review the footage.
The legislation would also require providers to forward potentially relevant recordings to the Division of Developmental Disabilities when they receive a complaint, allegation or report of abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Providers already operating common-area cameras when the law takes effect could continue using those devices under their existing internal policies without having to meet the new requirements solely to keep them operating.
Balancing safety and privacy
Catherine Chin, executive director of the Alliance for the Betterment of Citizens with Disabilities, acknowledged that cameras can provide evidence when an incident occurs but said she knows of no proof that they prevent abuse.
Chin believes New Jersey's existing policy better balances safety concerns with residents' rights to privacy and personal liberty.
Rather than replace that framework, she suggested making more families aware that cameras are already permitted and helping them identify residential providers that use monitoring.
The Department of Human Services declined to comment on the pending legislation.
Advocates plan to rally Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. outside the State House at 125 W. State St. in Trenton to push for legislative votes for A2705 and its Senate counterpart, S1172.
