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NY S02478: Prohibits the use of a facial recognition system by a landlord on any residential premises.

Dead/Failed New York · 2023–2024 session

Last verified Oct 10, 2026 · official bill text

S02478 · where it stands

This bill did not become law (dead/failed) · last action Jun 7, 2024.

What do these statuses mean?
Introduced
Filed in the legislature; may be waiting for a committee hearing.
Passed a chamber
Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action.
Enacted
Signed into law, or became law without a signature or over a veto.
Effective date
The date the law says it takes effect. Once it has passed, the page shows "Effective" and the date. A court order can still block a law; if we know of one, the summary says so.
Dead / vetoed
Vetoed, failed, or the session ended without action.

In one paragraph

New York's S 2478 (2023-2024) would have added Real Property Law § 235-j making it unlawful for a landlord to obtain, retain, access or use on any residential premises a facial recognition system or information obtained from one. The Attorney General could seek an injunction and a civil penalty of not more than $10,000; affected people could sue for actual damages or $1,000, whichever is greater, plus attorneys' fees. Committed to Rules June 7, 2024 after Judiciary reported it; it died when the 2023-2024 session ended.

Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.

What it means for business

None: the bill died when the 2023-2024 session ended. The bill never became law; landlords had no new obligations.

Key provisions

  1. Facial recognition covers identifying a person from facial characteristics and analyzing them to determine "sentiment, state of mind, or other propensities"; a facial recognition system is any software that performs it
  2. Would have barred landlords from obtaining, retaining, accessing or using such a system or information from one on any residential premises, notwithstanding any contrary law; no exemptions stated
  3. Attorney General could seek an injunction on at least five days' notice, restitution and a civil penalty of not more than $10,000 (the text does not say per violation)
  4. Private action for an injunction and the greater of actual damages or $1,000; prevailing plaintiffs awarded costs and reasonable attorneys' fees
  5. Would have taken effect on the 120th day after becoming law; Assembly companion A322; Judiciary reported it May 14, 2024

Latest legislative action

Jun 7, 2024. committed to rules

Sponsors

NameRole
Primary
D Primary
Primary
D Cosponsor
D Cosponsor

Roll call votes

Judiciary Vote May 14, 2024

14 yea5 nayPassed

Related and companion bills

Topics and industries

Related topics

Facial Recognition

Affected industries

Real EstateHousingTechnology

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

Related AI laws in New York

All New York bills →
A6787 Directs the commissioner of education to conduct a study on the use of biometric A00954 Directs the director of the office of information technology services to conduct S08223 Prohibits the use of a facial recognition system by a landlord on any residentia A11119 Requires legislative members to verify attendance on legislative session days vi S5609 Prohibits the use of biometric surveillance technology by law enforcement; estab A06211 Prohibits the use of biometric surveillance system or biometric surveillance inf

Same topic in other states

Montana SB397 Generally revise laws related to privacy and facial recognition technology Colorado HB26-1326 Sunset Public Utilities Commission Utah HB444 Data Privacy Amendments Virginia HB1496 Law-enforcement agencies; surveillance technology reporting. Vermont S0124 An act relating to governmental structures protecting the public health, safety, Maine LD1585 An Act To Increase Privacy and Security by Regulating the Use of Facial Surveill