Bill > S00955

This bill establishes comprehensive regulations for smart access systems in multiple dwellings (apartment buildings), focusing on protecting tenant privacy and restricting data collection. The bill defines a "smart access system" as any electronic technology used to grant building or apartment access, such as key fobs, mobile apps, or biometric systems. Key provisions include requiring owners to provide alternative entry methods beyond web-based applications, limiting the types of data that can be collected, and prohibiting the use of such systems for tracking or harassment. The bill mandates that owners can only collect minimal necessary information like name, unit number, and access times, and must destroy or anonymize this data within 90 days. Biometric data collection is heavily restricted, with new systems using such technology banned for three years. The bill also requires owners to provide tenants with keys or access methods at no cost, prevents using access data for eviction purposes, and imposes significant penalties (up to $5,000 per violation) for non-compliance. Notably, future tenancy cannot be conditioned on consenting to a smart access system, and any attempts to waive the bill's protections are considered void. The law aims to balance technological convenience with tenant privacy rights by establishing clear boundaries for how building access systems can operate.