WI SB485

Group homes, shelter care facilities, and residential care centers for children and youth may use video surveillance in common areas, entrances, and exits without the child's consent, but must inform the child and their parent, guardian, or custodian about the monitoring.

All residential care centers for children and youth, group homes, and shelter care facilities must adopt a safety monitoring policy, which may include video surveillance in common areas, entrances, and exits.

Video surveillance cannot substitute for one-on-one monitoring of children at high risk for self-harm.

Video recording data is confidential and not open to public inspection, though existing exceptions for child welfare records apply; the Department of Children and Families may review any recordings.

Creates an exception to current patient rights law, which generally requires consent before filming or taping individuals receiving mental health or substance abuse services.