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The bill mandates a study on biometric identifying technology use in public, nonpublic, and charter schools, prohibiting its use until authorized by the education commissioner.
If you operate a school in New York, you must refrain from using biometric technology until authorized or face potential legal issues.
State
New York
Bill Number
S00893
Status
In Committee
Risk Level
Medium
Category
Study/Task Force
Last Action
Feb 24, 2026
Last Verified
Sep 1, 2026
Data Updated
Sep 1, 2026
What do these statuses mean?▼
Introduced— Filed in the legislature; not yet heard in committee
In Committee— Assigned to and being reviewed by a legislative committee
Passed— Approved by one or both chambers; awaiting further action
Signed / Enacted— Signed into law by the governor; may or may not be in effect yet
Dead / Vetoed— Vetoed, failed to pass, or session expired without action
Unknown— Status data not yet available or awaiting classification
Affected Industries
General
What This Means
This bill focuses on regulating the use of biometric identifying technology in public, nonpublic, and charter schools across New York. It mandates a comprehensive study to evaluate privacy, civil rights implications, and impacts on different subgroups before any such technology can be utilized. Schools must comply with the prohibition until further authorization is granted by the education commissioner.
Key Provisions
Prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in public, nonpublic, and charter schools until authorized by the education commissioner.
Mandates a study on the implications of biometric technology on privacy, civil rights, and impacts on different subgroups.
Allows limited use of biometric technology for employee identification with consent.
Requires public reporting of study findings and recommendations.
Involves stakeholder consultation in the study process.
Repeals previous provisions related to biometric technology in education law.
Latest Legislative Action
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO AGING
Bill Sponsors
Name
Role
Luis R. Sepúlveda
Primary
Lea Webb
Cosponsor
Compliance Checklist
Refrain from using biometric identifying technology in schools Who: All public and nonpublic elementary and secondary schools Deadline: Until authorized by the education commissioner or July 1, 2022 Penalty: Potential legal issues for non-compliance
Participate in public hearings and provide feedback on biometric technology use Who: Teachers, school administrators, parents, and experts Deadline: Ongoing until the study is completed
The bill requires the director of the office of information technology services to conduct a study on biometric identifying technology, specifically its implications for privacy, civil rights, and potential impacts on different subgroups based on race, national origin, gender, and age in public, nonpublic, and charter schools. Until July 1, 2022, or until the education commissioner authorizes its use, schools are prohibited from purchasing or utilizing such technology. The bill outlines specific purposes for which biometric technology may be used, such as fingerprint identification for prospective employees, provided there is written consent. The education commissioner cannot authorize the use of biometric technology without a report detailing recommendations on privacy protections and civil rights considerations. This report must be made public and presented to key state officials. The bill emphasizes stakeholder consultation and public hearings to gather input from various experts and community members. Overall, it aims to ensure that any implementation of biometric technology in schools is carefully evaluated and regulated to protect individual rights.
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