Bill > S03519

This bill modifies the legal definition of "following" in the context of fourth-degree stalking by expanding the understanding of unauthorized tracking. Specifically, the bill broadens the definition to include the unauthorized placement, attachment, or insertion of any device or computer software (such as spyware, malware, or adware) that can access, record, track, or report a person's or their property's movements or location without explicit permission. The bill includes an important exemption for employers who use location or tracking technology during normal business operations or as part of an employment agreement, ensuring that such professional tracking does not constitute stalking. By updating the language from the previous law, which only referenced global positioning systems, the bill creates a more comprehensive legal framework that reflects the evolving technological methods of tracking individuals without their consent. The expanded definition aims to provide better legal protection against invasive tracking technologies that can be used to infringe on an individual's privacy and sense of safety.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S3519