This bill restricts most law enforcement use of facial recognition technology to prevent privacy violations. It prohibits state and local police from acquiring, using, or contracting for facial recognition systems without specific legal authorization, except for limited exceptions like felony warrants, emergencies involving immediate danger, identifying deceased persons, or requests from other agencies with proper authorization. The law requires detailed documentation of all searches, mandates transparency for defendants in criminal cases (including system accuracy data), and requires public reporting of all facial recognition requests. The only exception allowing routine use is for the Registry of Motor Vehicles to verify identities when issuing licenses, with strict limits on sharing that technology.
This bill requires vehicle manufacturers to include a specific disclosure notice in the owner's manual for all new vehicles starting with the 2026 model year. The notice must explain telematics systems, describe what mechanical data they collect, confirm owners can access data via mobile devices, and state the owner's right to authorize independent repair shops to access that data. It directly affects new vehicle buyers and independent repair facilities by clarifying data access rights. The Attorney General will establish the required notice format, ensuring transparency about vehicle data practices before the 2026 model year.
By Mr. Finegold, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 39) of Barry R. Finegold for legislation to protect sensitive personal information from breaches and other cybersecurity incidents by creating a Massachusetts Cyber Incident Response Team. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.
By Mr. Brady, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 189) of Michael D. Brady, Joanne M. Comerford and James B. Eldridge for legislation relative to digital right to repair. Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 763) of Adam Gomez, Lindsay N. Sabadosa, Manny Cruz, Sal N. DiDomenico and other members of the General Court for legislation relative to telehealth and digital equity for patients. Financial Services.
HD 2255 creates a 9-member task force to study financial technology (fintech) impacts and banking regulations in Massachusetts. The task force, including legislative leaders, fintech representatives, banking officials, and community members, will review state laws, identify beneficial banking innovations, and require the state banking division to submit reports from banks and fintech companies. It must develop recommendations for integrating fintech into Massachusetts' financial system and submit a final report with draft legislation to the legislature within 12 months. This bill does not change current laws but establishes a process to inform future policy decisions affecting Massachusetts' financial sector and its citizens.
By Representative Farley-Bouvier of Pittsfield, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 78) of Tricia Farley-Bouvier and others for legislation to establish the Massachusetts consumer data privacy act. Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity.
By Mr. Eldridge, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2133) of James B. Eldridge for legislation to protect the privacy of library user data. State Administration and Regulatory Oversight.
Tags
Privacy
H 8 creates a digital system to securely store and transfer foster children's educational records as recommended by the State Auditor. This bill directly affects foster youth, schools, and child welfare agencies by replacing paper-based record sharing with a unified electronic platform. The key provision requires the state education department to establish this system, ensuring consistent access to academic histories during placements. It implements a specific recommendation from the State Auditor's report (House No. 3) without adding new requirements or funding. The bill focuses solely on improving record management, not on broader foster care policy changes.
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Children
By Representative Vargas of Haverhill, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Andres X. Vargas relative to non-discrimination by improving algorithmic systems. The Judiciary.
