SECTION 1. Chapter 19B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding at the end thereof, the following new section:-

Section 21. (a) For the purposes of this section, the following words shall have the following meaning:

“Common areas”, an area of a facility that all residents share, including but not limited to dining areas, recreational areas, meeting areas, and hallways.”

(b) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, video cameras may be installed at all entrances, exits, and common areas of private facilities under the authority of the department of developmental services, including community-based residential homes, and group homes, for the purposes of continuously monitoring the entrances, exits, and common areas of these facilities.

(c) The department of developmental services shall promulgate rules and regulations detailing under what circumstances video cameras may be used in accordance with this section. The commissioner of the department of developmental services, in consultation with the executive office of public safety and security, shall establish a system for maintaining the recorded images produced by continuous video monitoring.