Technology

passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 11389: Relates to electronic filing for the court of appeals

This bill allows the Court of Appeals to create rules permitting the electronic filing and service of legal documents in both civil and criminal cases. It specifically covers briefs, motions, appeals, and other papers while ensuring that unrepresented individuals and certain attorneys are not required to use electronic systems. Before implementing these rules, the court must seek feedback from various stakeholders, including lawyers, legal aid groups, and public defenders. The legislation takes effect on July 1st of the following year, with immediate authority granted to finalize any necessary procedural rules.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity by enabling electronic filing while protecting unrepresented individuals from mandatory system use.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 10591: Relates to electronic filing for the court of appeals

This bill authorizes the New York Court of Appeals to create rules allowing the electronic filing and service of legal documents for both civil and criminal cases. It specifically permits digital submission of briefs, motions, and other papers while ensuring that unrepresented individuals and certain attorneys are not required to use electronic systems. Before implementing these rules, the court must seek feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including bar associations, legal service providers, and public defenders. The legislation takes effect on July 1 of the following year, with the court allowed to finalize necessary technical rules immediately.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity by enabling electronic filing while protecting unrepresented individuals from mandatory digital barriers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 9824: Allows certain minor defendants to utilize electronic appearances

This bill allows minors under 18 to participate in certain court arraignments via electronic appearance instead of appearing in person. It permits this under specific conditions, such as when the minor is hospitalized, facing extreme weather, requesting the option with a guarantee of non-monetary release, or when no Youth Part judge is available. For electronic appearances involving minors, the court must determine that the virtual format serves the child's best interests and that physical attendance would unnecessarily disrupt important activities like school or medical treatment. The law also requires that all parties, including the prosecutor and the minor's legal advisor, consent to the electronic process on the record.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill supports criminal justice reform by allowing minors to appear electronically, reducing barriers to court access and prioritizing the child's best interests.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity by expanding access to electronic court appearances for minors, ensuring technology facilitates justice rather than hindering it.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed both · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 9408: Relates to a prohibition on chatbot toys

This bill prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of chatbot toys within the state, directly affecting toy manufacturers, sellers, and distributors. It defines a chatbot toy as any children's toy that includes an artificial intelligence companion and bans all commercial activities related to these products. Enforcement is handled by the state attorney general, who can seek court orders to stop violations and impose civil penalties of up to fifteen thousand dollars per day without needing to prove that a specific person was harmed. The law includes a five-year expiration clause, meaning it would automatically end five years after it takes effect.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill prohibits chatbot toys and directs study on risks, limiting technology adoption and innovation in this sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 9267: Enacts the consumer camera privacy act

Prohibits manufacturers or operators of networked camera devices to enable coordinated surveillance features on such devices as a default feature without first obtaining affirmative opt-in consent from the owner; requires disclosure of data rights for owners of such devices; prohibits coordinated surveillance features to be disclosed to law enforcement without a warrant; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits default surveillance without consent and requires warrants for law enforcement, strengthening data privacy protections for camera devices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 4713: Designates records and information relating to a patient who has been deceased for a period of fifty years or longer as historic records no longer subject to privacy protections

Designates records and information relating to a patient who has been deceased for a period of fifty years or longer as historic records no longer subject to privacy protections; provides that such provisions shall not be construed as requiring a facility to retain records for any particular length of time.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill removes privacy protections for medical records after 50 years, weakening data privacy (core technology policy area). Explicitly weakens privacy safeguards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 5893: Allows prospective and current agency personnel receive certification through remote training methods

This bill allows social services workers, including those in child welfare, to complete required training courses using remote or distance learning methods. It permits counties to adopt local rules enabling their departments to use these online options for specific training needs, provided the courses verify that participants are present and can interact with instructors. The change applies to prospective and current agency personnel involved in foster care, adoption, and preventive services, effective immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables remote training, promoting digital access and adoption of technology in workforce development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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in committee · New York · Senate Jun 2, 2026

S 5437: Allows prospective and current agency personnel receive certification through remote training methods

This bill allows social services workers, including those in child welfare, to complete required training courses using remote or distance learning methods instead of attending in-person classes. It authorizes counties to adopt local rules permitting this remote format for most training requirements, provided the online courses verify that participants are present and can interact with instructors. The change applies to prospective and current personnel involved in foster care, adoption, and preventive services, effective immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital equity by expanding access to remote training, strengthening technology adoption in workforce development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed both · New York · Assembly Jun 2, 2026

A 8713: Relates to banned members of social referral services

Relates to bans from online dating services based on content; requires retention of records where necessary to maintain enforcement of fraud bans or content bans; makes related provisions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires online dating services to disclose interactions with banned members, enhancing user transparency and fraud protection in digital services, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 10098: Relates to the maximum allowable timeframes to respond to requests for records under the freedom of information act

This bill establishes specific deadlines for government agencies to respond to freedom of information requests, aiming to speed up access to public records. It requires agencies to provide requested records within 180 days for older requests, 90 days for requests made in 2028, and 60 days for requests starting in 2029, while also mandating that agencies accept and reply to requests via email. The law includes provisions to prevent agencies from delaying responses due to a lack of staff or the volume of records, except in cases involving federal legal barriers, safety concerns, or massive record sets. Additionally, the bill mandates that agencies with websites must allow for online submission of requests and requires them to use electronic methods whenever reasonably possible.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates email usage for FOIA requests and sets strict response deadlines, enhancing digital access and efficiency.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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