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Who cares
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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Substituted by A8992A
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.847
- Print number 6608a
- Amend and recommit to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Restricts the requirement that a person disclose their social security number
Signed by Governor · Sponsor Jeffrey Dinowitz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S6608A REVISED 06/13/12
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the disclosure of social security numbers
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to restrict the dissemination and collection of social Security numbers in order to increase consumer privacy and prevent identity theft.
Summary of specific provisions
This bill would prohibit any person or business entity from requiring an individual to disclose his or her Social Security number, or to refuse any service, privilege or right based on an individual's refusal to disclose such number. The bill-would not apply if the SSN is required by law or covered under one of several exemptions provided for legitimate uses, including collecting child or spousal support, opening a deposit account, interacting with a law enforcement agency, a credit transaction initiated by the consumer, and tax compliance. Further, it is not intended that this bill apply to any third party who is contracted with to do the business of any authorized entity.
The bill would authorize the Attorney General's office to enforce its provisions, provide for a civil penalty of not more than five hundred dollars per violation.
Justification
The Federal Trade Commission, the Social Security Administration, the General Accounting Office and other acknowledge that the widespread public exposure of personal information, especially social Security account numbers, plays a significant role in identity theft. Despite heightened awareness of this risk, some entities continue to demand that individuals furnish a social Security Number (SSN) in circumstances when the use of the SSN is neither required by law or necessary. Consumers are often given the impression that they must remit their SSN. In some instances, the disclosure of one's SSN has been made a condition for obtaining services.
The federal Privacy Act of 1974 requires federal, state and local governmental agencies requesting SSNs to cite its formal legal authority, reveal whether disclosure is mandatory or voluntary and explain how the number will be used. Enactment of this bill would extend this protection to the private sector.
Prior legislative history
2010: A.9532B - Passed Assembly 2009: A.235 - Passed Assembly 2007-08: A.334 - Passed Assembly
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
120 days after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.