A 6720 New York Assembly · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to banning the use of biometric identifying technology in schools

Summary
Prohibits the use of biometric identifying technology in schools for any reason other than certain specified purposes; adds fingerprint identification of teachers, administrators and students for the purpose of securely logging into a digital device for academic and administrative purpose to allowable purposes.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Mar 11, 2025 Last action Jan 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

A6720 A6720A · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was amended to clarify the specific purposes for which schools can use biometric technology, explicitly adding student and teacher login credentials as an acceptable use case. Additionally, the bill was restructured to include a requirement for a comprehensive report on biometric technology before any purchase or use is authorized, ensuring a thorough review of privacy, civil rights, and security implications.
Scope change
The scope of permitted uses for biometric technology was expanded to include digital device logins for students and teachers, while the process for authorizing such technology now mandates a preliminary report.
ELIGIBILITY

Added 'fingerprint identification of teachers, administrators and students for the purpose of securely logging into a digital device' as a permissible use of biometric technology.

REQUIREMENT

Inserted a new requirement that the Commissioner of Education must issue a detailed report on biometric technology (covering privacy, civil rights, costs, and security) before authorizing any purchase or use.

Reorganized the bill structure to place the reporting requirement (Section 3) before the effective date clause (Section 2), ensuring the report is completed before the act takes full effect.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Amendments
2
Jan 7, 2026
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
PRINT NUMBER 6720A
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
AMEND AND RECOMMIT TO EDUCATION
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO EDUCATION
lower
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors