04/10/2026
Michigan still has no clear law protecting a nursing home resident’s right to use a camera - and the latest proposed legislation may actually make things worse.
A Detroit Free Press investigation highlights what families already know:
➡️ Residents report missing belongings and gaps in care
➡️ Families want cameras for accountability and peace of mind
➡️ Facilities often ban them outright
While other states have passed laws expanding residents’ rights, Michigan’s proposed bill (SB 412) raises serious concerns.
Instead of protecting residents, it would:
▪️ Require written approval before using a camera
▪️ Require roommate consent
▪️ And most troubling—block footage from being used in court if those technical steps aren’t followed
That’s not expanding rights. That’s restricting them.
As OMP’s Donna Pappas MacKenzie told the Free Press:
👉 “This is not a bill that is in the best interests of nursing home residents.”
Residents already have strong arguments under federal law to personalize their rooms - including adding a camera. We should be strengthening those rights - not creating barriers that protect facilities from accountability.
This is about transparency, safety, and justice. And right now, Michigan is falling behind.
Michigan has no laws on cameras in nursing home residents' rooms, leaving families to navigate facility electronic monitoring policies on their own.
