In one paragraph
New York's S 9643 would amend State Technology Law § 106-b so public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, including charter schools, are "prohibited from purchasing or utilizing biometric identifying technology for any purpose, including school security." Limited uses stay allowed: fingerprinting of prospective employees, fingerprint logins to digital devices, and identifying employees who consent in writing. Passed the Senate 38-22 on June 1, 2026 and was referred to the Assembly Education Committee; it has not passed the Assembly.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None yet: the bill is pending. If enacted, schools could not buy or use biometric identifying technology except for the listed fingerprint and consenting-employee uses.
Key provisions
- Amends State Technology Law § 106-b(2)-(4): schools, including charter schools, may not purchase or use biometric identifying technology for any purpose, including school security
- Exceptions: fingerprint identification of prospective school employees as required by the Education Law or commissioner's regulations; fingerprint identification of teachers, administrators and students for secure logins to digital devices for academic and administrative purposes; identifying employees who consent in writing (plus the employee organization's written consent for Civil Service Law article 14 employees)
- Strikes the existing July 1, 2022 and commissioner-authorization language and the former subdivisions 3 and 4 (the director's report and public hearings that had to precede any commissioner authorization)
- The bill text does not define "biometric identifying technology" and states no penalty, enforcer or private right of action
- Passed the Senate June 1, 2026 (38 aye, 22 nay) and was delivered to the Assembly and referred to Education; Assembly same-as A6720
- Takes effect immediately; no sunset
Latest legislative action
Jun 1, 2026. passed senate; delivered to assembly and referred to education
Sponsors
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| John Liu | Primary |
| Julia Salazar | Cosponsor |
| Nathalia Fernandez | Cosponsor |
| Robert Jackson | Cosponsor |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
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