Hawaii Senate Bill SB1085

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/27/23

Caption

Relating To Biometric Information Privacy.

Impact

The proposed legislation will amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes to include stringent guidelines on the collection, storage, retention, and destruction of biometric information. It mandates that private entities inform individuals about the collection of their biometric data and the specific purposes for such collections. Furthermore, entities must obtain written consent before capturing or utilizing biometric information, significantly enhancing the privacy rights of individuals in the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 1085, also known as the Hawaii Biometric Information Privacy Act, aims to establish robust standards for the handling of biometric identifiers and information by private entities. The bill recognizes that as the use of biometric data increases for tasks such as financial transactions and identity verification, the risk of identity theft remains high. Therefore, it is crucial to implement measures to protect individuals' biometric data, which is unique and unchangeable once compromised.

Contention

Some notable points of contention surrounding SB 1085 include concerns about how it preempts existing data protection laws and its implications for businesses that rely on biometric data for operations. Critics argue that the bill may impose additional burdens on businesses, potentially affecting their operations. Moreover, the definitions of biometric identifiers and information within the bill are crucial, as they delineate what is considered protected data, affecting compliance requirements for various industries.