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Enacts the "facial recognition technology study act" to study privacy concerns and potential regulatory approaches to the development of facial recognition technology.
In one paragraph
New York's S 3699 would establish a seven-member task force to study the proper regulatory approach to facial recognition technology (technology capable of identifying or verifying a person from a digital image or video frame). It would examine privacy concerns, other jurisdictions' regulation, potential misuse and administrative regulation methods, and report its findings to the governor and Legislature within one year of the effective date. The Senate passed it 60-2 and sent it to the Assembly March 16, 2026.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None yet: the bill is pending. If enacted it would create a study task force only and place no duties on businesses.
Key provisions
- Defines facial recognition technology as technology capable of identifying or verifying a person from a digital image or video frame by comparing facial features with a database
- Task force must study privacy concerns, other jurisdictions' regulatory actions, potential misuse, administrative regulation methods and any related subject the chair determines
- Report of findings to the governor and Legislature no later than one year after the effective date
- Seven members: two each appointed by the governor, temporary president of the Senate and Assembly speaker, one by the director of the Office of Information Technology Services; a governor's appointee chairs
- Members serve without pay, with reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses; state and local agencies must provide assistance and data when the chair asks
- Takes effect immediately; no prohibitions, penalties or sunset; Assembly version A8788; passed the Senate May 22, 2025 and again March 16, 2026 (it died in the Assembly and was returned to the Senate January 7, 2026), now in Assembly Governmental Operations
Latest legislative action
Mar 16, 2026. referred to governmental operations
Sponsors
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| BAILEY | Primary |
| COMRIE | Primary |
| GIANARIS | Primary |
| James Sanders Jr. | Primary |
Roll call votes (showing 3 of 4)
Floor Vote: Vote Mar 16, 2026
60 yea2 nay1 otherPassed
Internet And Technology Vote Feb 25, 2026
6 yea1 nayPassed
Floor Vote: Vote May 22, 2025
54 yea3 nay5 otherPassed
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