Bill > A07900

This bill prohibits the Metropolitan Commuter Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Transit Authority from disclosing individualized fare payment data, which is defined as personal information related to how people pay transit fares, including data that tracks where and when a fare card is used. The bill establishes strict privacy protections, allowing data disclosure only in two narrow circumstances: (1) to prevent a serious and imminent threat to life, with notification to the data subject within 20 days, or (2) pursuant to a search warrant with specific probable cause. The legislation also mandates that fare payment cards must be available for cash purchase during all station operating hours, not be registered to an individual's identity, and cost no more than $5. Fare cards for reduced or free fares can be associated with an individual's identity only for verifying eligibility or replacing lost cards. If the authorities or their partners violate these privacy rules, data subjects can seek judicial relief, including up to $5,000 per violation, punitive damages, and attorneys' fees. The bill further requires quarterly reporting to the inspector general about any data sharing and provides the attorney general the power to seek injunctions for violations, ultimately aiming to protect transit users' personal information from unnecessary surveillance or data exploitation.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A7900