Technology

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

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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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 7573: Requires that digital coupons are made available to consumers in paper form of identical value

Bill S 7573 requires retailers who offer digital coupons to also make available a paper coupon of identical value to consumers. This applies to store coupons, rebates, or similar instruments offered through the internet. Retailers violating this rule could face civil penalties of up to $2,500 for a first offense and up to $5,000 for subsequent offenses. The Division of Consumer Protection would be responsible for enforcing these provisions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires paper alternatives for digital coupons, promoting digital equity and consumer protection in tech services without restricting technology use.85% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 6873: Relates to the automatic expungement of records of arrest

This bill automatically expunges arrest records in New York for individuals whose arrests were later deemed "voidable" (e.g., no charges filed, lack of probable cause, or dismissed charges). Courts must issue expungement orders within 30 days of the arrest becoming voidable, requiring all law enforcement agencies to destroy physical records like photos, fingerprints, and digital copies (except retained fingerprint cards). Affected individuals can later answer employment inquiries as if the arrest never occurred. The law directly benefits people with specific dismissed or unjustified arrests by removing barriers to employment and housing.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically expunges voidable arrest records, reducing employment barriers and advancing criminal justice reform by addressing wrongful arrests and promoting reintegration.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill removes employment barriers by automatically expunging voidable arrest records, allowing individuals to answer job inquiries as if arrests never occurred, directly advancing workers' job opportunities.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates destruction of digital arrest records, directly protecting data privacy by removing personal digital data from systems per expungement requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · New York · Assembly May 18, 2026

A 3925: Relates to ensuring the privacy of name change actions and of sex designation change actions; repealer

Requires the office of court administration, clerks, and all other records custodians to develop policies and procedures to ensure no identifying information or documentation relating to name change actions or sex designation change actions is visible or retrievable in any electronic database maintained by the state of New York or a subdivision thereof.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly mandates privacy protections for sensitive personal data in electronic databases, directly strengthening data privacy safeguards related to technology systems.95% confidence

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in committee · New York · Senate Jan 7, 2026

S 1228: Relates to requiring advertisements to disclose the use of a synthetic performer

Requires advertisements to disclose the use of a synthetic performer; imposes a $1,000 civil penalty for a first violation and a $5,000 penalty for any subsequent violation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires disclosure of synthetic performers in ads to prevent consumer deception, aligning with tech regulation for transparency and consumer protection.90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jun 13, 2025

A 4872: Requires institutions of higher education make available their policy on notifying the parent, guardian, or emergency contact of a student under twenty-one of certain controlled substance or alcohol violations

Requires each institution of higher education to make publicly available its policy on notifying the parent, guardian, or emergency contact of a student under twenty-one of certain controlled substance and alcohol violations, including rule infractions, and controlled substance or alcohol related hospitalizations or overdoses; requires such colleges and institutions to conduct regular training on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires FERPA training, directly supporting data privacy protection (a key aspect of technology policy).90% confidence

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in committee · New York · Assembly Jan 7, 2026

A 4369: Relates to the next generation 911 system, an emergency services internet protocol network

Requires the state shall offer a statewide emergency services internet protocol network (ESINet) available for connection to local public safety answering points (PSAPs).

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates statewide ESINet for emergency services, advancing critical internet infrastructure access for public safety PSAPs.90% confidence

Tags Public Safety

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