Technology (Emerging Technology)

LB 729, the Biometric Autonomy Liberty Law, prohibits private entities (like businesses or corporations) from requiring or forcing individuals to use biometric data collection devices (such as fingerprint scanners, voice recognition, or facial recognition systems) except for specific security purposes. The law defines biometric data broadly to include fingerprints, voice prints, and eye scans, but explicitly excludes health data under HIPAA, DMV fraud detection systems, and financial data regulated by federal law. Private companies cannot mandate biometric data collection for non-security reasons, though they may use it for security purposes like preventing crime or protecting property. The law does not apply to government agencies in their official security functions or to existing health, education, or financial data protections.

This bill amends Nebraska law to address several criminal offenses. It prohibits installing mobile tracking devices on others' property without consent (with limited exceptions for parents, law enforcement, or business purposes), updates stalking penalties, restricts drone operations in sensitive areas requiring operator certification, and creates a new offense for "swatting" (false emergency reports) that mandates restitution. It also removes the mandatory probation requirement for Class IV felony convictions. The bill directly affects individuals using tracking technology, drone operators, and courts handling specific criminal cases.

LB 609 adopts the Controllable Electronic Record Fraud Prevention Act, requiring businesses operating kiosks for digital assets (like cryptocurrency) to obtain a license, report to Nebraska's Department of Banking and Finance, and provide clear fraud warnings to customers. The bill mandates that kiosk operators disclose specific scam examples (e.g., fake bank alerts or "job offer" scams) and state that transactions are irreversible. It also includes changes to search warrant procedures, though the primary focus is on preventing fraud in digital asset transactions. This directly affects kiosk operators and customers using these services in Nebraska.