Technology

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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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 10092: Enacts the "no gambling ads for kids act"

Enacts the "no gambling ads for kids act" under which certain covered platforms and social media platforms are prohibited from advertising a service permitting gaming-related gambling, predictive market wagering, online sweepstakes gaming, sports-related gambling, and/or traditional online gambling to minors.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts gambling ads to minors on platforms, enhancing consumer protection and digital safety for youth.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 9643: Relates to banning the use of biometric identifying technology in schools

This bill prohibits public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools, from purchasing or using biometric identifying technology like facial recognition for most purposes. The law allows exceptions for fingerprinting prospective employees to comply with education laws, logging into digital devices for academic use, and identifying employees who have provided written consent or whose unions have consented. The bill requires the director of the state education department to prepare a detailed report analyzing privacy risks, civil rights impacts, security effectiveness, data retention, breach risks, costs, and other factors before any such technology can be authorized for school use. This report must be made public and shared with state leaders while seeking feedback from teachers, parents, safety experts, and privacy advocates through public hearings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student privacy by restricting biometric technology use in schools, enhancing educational environment safety and data protection85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts use of biometric technology in schools, limiting adoption of facial recognition and other identifying tech despite exceptions for employee verification.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 8169: Requires all state entities to notify affected individuals in the event of a data breach where information is compromised

Requires all state entities, including local governments, to notify affected individuals in the event of a data breach where information is compromised; defines "cybersecurity incident".

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates data breach notifications for state entities, strengthening data privacy protections and cybersecurity measures per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 2539: Requires retailers to post warning signs of the tracking and collecting of customers biometric data through electronic devices

This bill requires retailers to clearly display warning signs at all entrances if they track customers using their cell phones or other electronic devices (like personal digital assistants or mobile devices). The signs must inform customers about the tracking and provide instructions for opting out. Retailers who fail to comply face escalating fines: $100 for the first violation, $250 for the second, and $500 for each subsequent violation. Local consumer protection offices or designated officials enforce the law, and collected fines stay with the municipality.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates retailer transparency on customer tracking, requiring opt-out instructions and fines for non-compliance - directly protects data privacy per topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed · New York · Senate Jun 1, 2026

S 825: Establishes protections for minors who are featured in compensated video content

Establishes protections for minors who are featured in compensated video content that generate earnings from being shared on social media or other video-sharing websites.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates protections for minors in influencer content on social media platforms, advancing data privacy and digital rights safeguards for minors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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passed both · New York · Assembly May 29, 2026

A 10424: Ensures the public has virtual access to public service commission proceedings and may file documents electronically

This bill requires the Public Service Commission to allow virtual attendance for public proceedings related to gas, electric, water utilities, and settlement negotiations, while still permitting in-person participation. It also mandates that the commission and administrative law judges accept all documents electronically, eliminating the need for physical copies unless electronic submission is not feasible. The changes apply to all formal and informal matters before the commission, including hearings, rulemaking, and rate proceedings, with limited virtual access restrictions for confidential settlement negotiations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital access by enabling virtual public proceedings and electronic document filing, advancing technology adoption in government processes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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