September 28, 2026

Connecticut Public Act 26-28: Virtual Monitoring in Residential Care Homes

Connecticut Public Act 26-28 is about technology used for virtual monitoring and virtual visitation in residential care homes. It is not a tax law or a tax credit. The act was enacted as House Bill 5142 and signed by the governor on May 20, 2026.

What Public Act 26-28 Covers

The Connecticut General Assembly describes the act as extending protections for the use of technology for virtual monitoring and virtual visitation to residents of residential care homes, and prescribing a penalty for violations. The official summary is broad; families and facilities should consult the act itself for the exact legal language and how it applies to a particular situation.

Virtual monitoring generally means using technology to observe or check on someone remotely. Virtual visitation generally means connecting with someone remotely by video or similar technology. These plain-language descriptions are not legal definitions.

Why Privacy and Choice Still Matter

Technology can help residents stay connected with family and can support a sense of safety. It also raises practical questions about privacy, consent, shared spaces, and who may access a device or recording. Public Act 26-28 should not be read as blanket permission to place a camera or monitor anywhere, or as a rule that applies to every home-care setting.

Families should ask the residential care home how it applies the law and what its current policies say. The right answer may depend on the resident, the setting, the device, and the specific circumstances.

Questions Families Can Ask

• What written policy governs virtual monitoring and virtual visitation at the home?
• Who can request or approve a device, and what consent or notice is needed?
• How does the home protect the privacy of the resident, roommates, visitors, and staff?
• Who can access a live feed or any stored material, and how long is it kept?
• Who should the resident or family contact with a question or concern?

What Residential Care Homes Can Do

Administrators can review facility policies against the final act, explain the process to residents and families, and make sure staff know how to handle privacy concerns. Before installing or using monitoring technology, facilities should get guidance on the law's requirements rather than relying on assumptions about what a device is allowed to record.

Read the Official Act

For the enacted language, read Connecticut Public Act 26-28 from the Connecticut General Assembly. This article is a general summary, not legal advice; residents and families should seek advice about their specific circumstances.