Technology

in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 8260: Relates to banning push notifications from a food service establishment or a third-party delivery platform to minors

This bill prohibits food service businesses (like restaurants) and third-party delivery apps (like Uber Eats) from sending targeted push notifications or text messages to minors (under 18). It requires these platforms to verify a user's age by having them manually enter their birth date during account registration. If a user's birth date indicates they are a minor, the platform must not send any promotional or engagement-focused notifications designed to encourage app use. The law directly affects businesses and delivery services operating in New York, aiming to limit digital marketing to underage users.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires age verification for minors' data privacy, restricting targeted notifications from tech platforms to protect user data per privacy-focused regulation.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 837: Enacts the "empire state enhanced public payment system act"

Enacts the "the empire state enhanced public payment system act" directing the department of financial services to develop, establish, and maintain a value storage and payment platform consisting of a digital master account and coordinate a system of individual wallets that enable payments to move between such individual wallets or payment accounts for use of New York residents.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates creation of a digital payment platform with individual wallets, advancing digital infrastructure for public transactions in New York.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 3463: Relates to exempting certain statements relating to sexual abuse or misconduct from disclosure under FOIL

This bill amends New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) to exempt statements made by victims or witnesses about sexual abuse or misconduct from public disclosure. It directly affects individuals who report such incidents, ensuring their statements cannot be released under FOIL requests. The key provision adds a specific exemption (subparagraph v) to existing FOIL protections, preventing disclosure that could identify victims or compromise sensitive cases. This change applies to all agencies handling such records and takes effect immediately upon enactment. The bill focuses on protecting victim privacy during investigations without altering other FOIL disclosure rules.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExempts victim statements from FOIL disclosure to protect identities and encourage reporting, aligning with victim rights in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill exempts victim statements from FOIL disclosure, directly protecting data privacy per topic indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 3681: Provides protection to cellular telephone subscribers who purchase cellular telephone applications

Provides protection to cellular telephone subscribers who purchase cellular telephone applications; allows for transfer of such applications upon an upgrade or defect in such cellular telephone.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects subscribers' rights for purchased apps, enabling transfer upon device upgrades/defects, aligning with consumer protection in digital transactions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4517: Relates to establishing a program of health care quality innovation and improvement through home care

This bill creates a state-funded program to improve healthcare quality in home care settings. It provides grants or supplemental payments to certified home health agencies, long-term home care programs, and managed care plans that partner with home care providers. The program supports specific quality improvements like falls prevention, care coordination with hospitals, technology integration for better patient monitoring, staff training, and evidence-based practices. These initiatives aim to enhance patient outcomes, reduce health disparities, and align home care with broader healthcare systems. The program requires the health commissioner to establish application and scoring processes with input from home care providers and managed care plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes state-funded grants for home care quality improvements including falls prevention, care coordination, and staff training, directly advancing healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly funds 'technology integration for better patient monitoring' as a quality improvement initiative in home care programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 237: Allows for online publication of public notices

This bill (S 237) allows government entities to publish certain required public notices online instead of in print newspapers. It permits online news publications that provide daily general interest news to a specific geographic area and have operated continuously for at least one year. The online publication must meet all legal requirements for the notice, except the requirement to use a newspaper. This change applies immediately to all notices that currently require newspaper publication under state law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits online publication of public notices, replacing print with digital platforms, advancing tech adoption in government communications.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 8532: Provides for the release of patient records by the office of mental health

This bill creates regulations for sharing mental health records of deceased patients in facilities operated by New York's Office of Mental Health. It allows family members, personal representatives, or healthcare providers involved in the patient's care to access records upon written request, while respecting any prior expressed wishes of the deceased. The regulations must align with federal privacy laws (HIPAA) and define "family member" for the purpose of record sharing. It directly affects families and healthcare providers seeking information about deceased patients in state mental health facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables family/healthcare providers to access deceased patients' mental health records per HIPAA, improving care continuity and respecting patient wishes.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates regulations for mental health records sharing aligned with HIPAA (data privacy law), ensuring privacy protections for deceased patients' records per federal standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · New York · Senate Feb 14, 2025

S 804: Relates to when and how notification of a data breach is to be provided to the department of financial services

S 804 amends New York's data breach notification law to clarify when and how financial institutions must notify the Department of Financial Services (DFS) after a breach affecting New York residents. It requires covered financial institutions (as defined by current DFS rules) to provide DFS with details about the breach - including timing, content, and number of affected people - without delaying direct notifications to consumers. The bill specifies that this notification to DFS is only mandatory for financial institutions, not all businesses, and must follow existing DFS reporting rules (23 NYCRR 500.17). The law, signed as Chapter 91 on February 14, 2025, streamlines reporting for regulated financial entities while maintaining direct consumer notification timelines.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClarifies data breach notification requirements to enhance consumer data privacy protections by mandating timely reporting to DFS without delaying consumer notifications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity

passed · New York · Assembly Feb 9, 2026

A 4944: Prohibits the operation of uncrewed aircraft, including drones, over school grounds or critical infrastructure

Bill A 4944 prohibits individuals from operating uncrewed aircraft, such as drones, over school grounds or specific critical infrastructure facilities in New York. It bans drones from hovering or remaining above these areas at altitudes below 250 feet, or from making contact with anything within their boundaries. Critical infrastructure includes fenced or clearly marked facilities like power plants, refineries, and water treatment plants. Exceptions apply to government agencies, law enforcement, or those with prior written consent, as well as drones continuously flying through at 250 feet or higher. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts drone operations (technology) near schools/critical infrastructure, limiting its use in specified areas without addressing tech policy benefits.90% confidence

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failed · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4636: Expands the definition of aggravated harassment in the second degree

Expands the definition of aggravated harassment in the second degree to include the disclosure of certain private information identifying a police officer for no legitimate purpose.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense for disclosing police officers' private info, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator for 'oppose' stance.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prevents unauthorized disclosure of police officers' private information, aligning with data privacy protection under Technology topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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