Senate bill · S1422 (2025-26)

Establishes the biometric identifier privacy act

New York State Senate

Same as A6031, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Latest action Jun 3, 2026

Sponsor: John Liu (State Senator, District 16, Democratic)

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From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 21, 2026. About our data

Summary

Establishes the biometric identifier privacy act; requires private entities in possession of biometric identifiers or biometric information to develop a written policy establishing a retention schedule and guidelines for permanently destroying biometric identifiers and biometric information when the initial purpose for collecting or obtaining such identifiers or information has been satisfied or within three years of the individual's last interaction with the private entity, whichever occurs first.

Summary from NY Open Legislation. How we handle summaries

Amends the General Business Law.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

The purpose of this legislation is to provide safeguards for consumers' biometric information SUMMARY OF PROVISION: Section 1 amends the general business law by adding a new article 32-A, creating the "Biometric Privacy Act." -Subsection 676-a defines terms used in the bill. -Subsection 676-b provides policy requirements for the retention, collection, disclosure, and destruction of biometric data -Subsection 676-c provides regulatory authority and enforcement measures -Subsection 676-d provides for how the law would interact with other laws -Subsection 676-e provides a severability clause Section 2 provides the effective date.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

Committee

Consumer Affairs and Protection · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Consumer Protection · New York State Senate.

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Cosponsors

Showing the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.

Read on NY Senate

Democratic10
Republican7

This bill has cosponsors from more than one party.

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Show the full list (17 names)

The sponsor's argument

Why John Liu says this is needed

As technology rapidly improves and the collection of biometric informa- tion becomes easier, the risk that this information could be exploited and used for illegal purposes also grows. Government must establish clear guidelines for the appropriate use of biometric data to safeguard sensitive and personal identifying information. In enacting similar legislation, the Illinois legislature wrote in 2008, "Biometrics are unlike other unique identifiers that are used to access finances or other sensitive infoimation. For example, social security numbers, when compromised, can be charged. Biometrics, however, are biologically unique to the individual; therefore, once compromised, the individual has no recourse and is at heightened risk for identity theft." Many companies collect this data without notifying individuals how their personal information will be used. Every time an individual uploads a photograph with facial recognition, unlocks their phone with their fing- erprints, or uses a retinal scanner, the company collecting this personal information has virtually unchecked and unlimited ability to use it as they please. This information could be stolen or sold to the highest bidder presenting serious privacy and security risks. It is important to note that this legislation does not prevent the use of biometric information; it simply requires companies to notify indi- viduals that they will be collecting their data, to create a plan to destroy it when it is no longer being used for its original purpose, and it prohibits the sale of this information to third parties.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Recorded votes

Vote: Floor vote
NY SenateJun 3, 2026Result: passed
(41) (20) (0) (2)
Vote: Committee vote · Consumer Protection
Senate Consumer ProtectionMay 12, 2026Result: passed
(6) (1) (0) (0)
Vote: Committee vote · Consumer Protection
Senate Consumer ProtectionMay 6, 2025Result: passed
(6) (1) (0) (0)

Full history

Jun 3, 2026
In committee
COMMITTEE DISCHARGED AND COMMITTED TO RULES
NY Senate
Jun 3, 2026
Sent to the executive
DELIVERED TO ASSEMBLY
NY Senate
Jun 3, 2026
Ordered to Third Reading CAL.1609
ORDERED TO THIRD READING CAL.1609
NY Senate
Jun 3, 2026
Passed a chamber
PASSED SENATE
NY Senate
May 12, 2026
Amend (t) and Recommit to Internet and Technology
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY
NY Senate

Show full history (7 earlier events)

May 12, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY
NY Senate
May 11, 2026
Amend (t) and Recommit to Consumer Affairs and Protection
AMEND (T) AND RECOMMIT TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
NY Senate
May 6, 2025
Reported out of committee
REPORTED AND COMMITTED TO INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGY
NY Senate
Feb 25, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION
NY Assembly
Jan 9, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
NY Senate

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.