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Prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools for any reason other than certain specified purposes; adds fingerprint identification of teachers, administrators and students for the purpose of securely logging into a digital device for academic and administrative purpose to…
In one paragraph
New York's A 6720-A would amend State Technology Law § 106-b so that public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, including charter schools, may not buy or use biometric identifying technology for any purpose, including school security, apart from listed uses. The bill would drop the current path under which the education commissioner can authorize it, and would add fingerprint logins to digital devices to the allowed uses. Introduced March 11, 2025, amended April 16, 2025 and referred to the Education Committee January 7, 2026; it has not passed either chamber.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None yet: the bill is pending. If enacted, New York schools could not buy or use biometric or facial recognition systems except for the listed fingerprint uses and consenting employees, and the commissioner could no longer authorize broader use, limiting that market for vendors.
Key provisions
- Schools would be prohibited from purchasing or using biometric identifying technology for any purpose, including school security, except for the listed uses; the 'until July 1, 2022 or commissioner authorization' wording would be removed
- Allowed: fingerprint identification of prospective school employees where used to comply with the education law or commissioner's regulations
- Allowed: fingerprint identification of teachers, administrators and students to securely log into a digital device for academic and administrative purposes (new in this bill)
- Allowed: identifying only employees who consented in writing, or whose employee organization consented in writing for employees under Civil Service Law article 14
- Would repeal subdivisions 3 and 4, under which the commissioner could authorize biometric technology, including facial recognition, after a state report and public outreach
- Would take effect immediately; same as S 9643
Latest legislative action
Jan 7, 2026. REFERRED TO EDUCATION
Sponsors (showing 5 of 6)
| Name | Role | District |
|---|---|---|
| David McDonough R | Sponsor | HD-014 |
| Deborah Glick D | Sponsor | HD-066 |
| Emily Gallagher D | Sponsor | HD-050 |
| Maryjane Shimsky D | Sponsor | HD-092 |
| Sarahana Shrestha D | Sponsor | HD-103 |
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This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error