Prohibiting certain licensees from electronically recording or storing personal information obtained from an identification card.
Summary
HB 77 would allow alcohol and tobacco licensees to scan approved forms of identification for age verification, but it would prohibit them from electronically recording, retaining, or storing the personal information contained in those IDs. The bill specifically bars storage of motor vehicle record information that identifies a person, including a photograph or computerized image, Social Security number, driver identification number, name, address (other than the 5-digit ZIP code), telephone number, and medical or disability information obtained from an identification card.
The measure amends RSA 179:8 by adding a new paragraph governing the use of identification cards in alcohol and tobacco sales. It preserves the ability of licensees to check age electronically while limiting what data may be kept in electronic form. The bill takes effect 60 days after passage.
Impact
HB 77 would change New Hampshire alcohol-control law by creating an explicit privacy restriction on certain licensees that scan IDs for age verification. It affects businesses licensed to sell alcohol or tobacco, limiting their ability to collect and retain customer identity data from identification cards, while leaving intact the basic practice of scanning IDs to confirm age. The fiscal note states the bill has no fiscal impact on state, county, or local revenues or expenditures.
Sentiment
The available record suggests the bill was treated as a straightforward consumer-privacy and age-verification measure, with no recorded committee transcript debate or roll-call votes indicating significant opposition. The absence of recorded votes or discussion, combined with unanimous-style final adoption by both bodies, points to generally favorable sentiment toward the bill. The fiscal note also indicates no budgetary concerns were raised.
Contention
The main policy tension in HB 77 is between privacy protection and business compliance. Supporters appear to favor preventing retailers from electronically storing sensitive personal information from IDs, while still allowing scanning for lawful age checks. Any potential concern would likely come from licensees or compliance stakeholders worried about operational burdens, data systems, or enforcement clarity, but no specific objections are documented in the provided materials.