S 1360 establishes strict rules for state employees handling confidential information like health status, immigration details, or crime victim records. It requires written approval from designated agency "access officers" before any disclosure (except for legal requirements or criminal investigations), prohibits unnecessary collection of such data, and bans line workers from sharing confidential details without prior written authorization. The bill directly affects all state employees interacting with the public (e.g., in benefits or social services) and agencies providing state services. Key provisions include limiting disclosures to what's legally required, mandating written consent for individual disclosures, and imposing civil penalties of up to $1,000 for violations.
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Government Transparency
S 387 requires state and local government agencies, as well as certain non-governmental entities performing public functions (like school districts or public authorities), to proactively publish specific public records online. It defines "publishable state data" as records that can be shared without violating privacy, safety, or legal restrictions. Agencies must make these records accessible via the internet within 60 days of the law's effective date, following rules established by the Open Government Committee. This shifts transparency from reactive requests under existing law to a system where relevant documents are automatically published online for public access.
This bill, S 859 (the "robocall prevention act"), limits unsolicited robocalls to New York residents and requires phone companies to provide free call-blocking technology. It bans most robocalls unless made with a resident's prior consent, for emergencies, by labor organizations to members, or as permitted by regulations. Telephone service providers must offer free call mitigation technology that blocks unwanted robocalls while allowing emergency calls to go through. The law directly affects New York residents receiving calls and all telephone service providers operating in the state.
Discloses to a parent the personal information and content about a minor collected by an operator of an internet platform when a parent requests such information.
This bill requires auto insurers and telematics system vendors to explain how driving data (like location or behavior) affects insurance rates, publicly disclose their scoring methods, and prove their systems don't unfairly target protected groups (such as race, gender, or disability). Insurers must file model explanations with regulators, allow consumers to access their collected data in readable formats, and prohibit using data for non-underwriting purposes. It directly affects insurers using telematics for pricing, third-party vendors, and consumers whose driving data is tracked. The law bans discriminatory algorithms and mandates testing to ensure fair outcomes in rate calculations.
Requires the office for the prevention of domestic violence provide informational materials on removing an abuser's access to a smart home and the use of other technology for harassment.
This bill requires election officials to remove candidates' home addresses and witness addresses from nomination and designation petitions before releasing them to the public via freedom of information requests or public publication. It directly affects candidates for public office and election officials who handle these documents, ensuring their home addresses are not disclosed in publicly accessible materials. The key mechanism is mandating redaction (removal) of these specific addresses in all instances where petitions are shared under public disclosure laws. This policy change applies to all candidate petitions filed under New York's election law, focusing solely on protecting personal address information from public view.
Enables students to receive information from colleges and universities without disclosing their personally identifiable information via an opt-in system.
Relates to the use of automated lending decision-making tools by banks for the purposes of making lending decisions; allows loan applicants to consent to or opt out of such use.
This bill restricts most drone surveillance by government entities in New York State. It prohibits law enforcement and state/local agencies from using drones to gather evidence without a search warrant, except in emergencies involving imminent danger to life. The law specifically bans drone monitoring inside homes, places of worship, or private property where people expect privacy. Exceptions include border patrols, counter-terrorism operations based on credible intelligence, and recreational drone use by individuals, with violations punishable as misdemeanors or felonies and inadmissible evidence rules.
