Bill > A00156

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for smart access systems in multiple dwellings, focusing on protecting tenants' privacy and security. The legislation defines a "smart access system" as any electronic or digital technology used to grant building or apartment entry, such as key fobs, mobile apps, or biometric identifiers. Key provisions include requiring owners to provide alternative non-electronic entry methods, limiting the type and amount of data that can be collected, prohibiting location tracking, and preventing the use of access data for harassment or eviction. The bill mandates that owners can only gather minimal necessary information for entry purposes, must destroy collected data within 90 days, and cannot sell or share tenant information except through court-authorized processes. Owners must provide tenants with free keys or access cards, develop clear procedures for authorizing guest access, and ensure system security by promptly addressing software vulnerabilities. The legislation imposes civil penalties up to $5,000 for violations, with higher penalties for systems used to harass tenants. The bill applies to most multiple dwellings, with exemptions for certain public housing and short-term rental properties, and will take effect 180 days after becoming law.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A156