New York Assembly Bill A10651

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/19/26
• Refer: 3/19/26

Caption

Relates to requiring consumer reporting agencies contact consumers when requests are made for their consumer reports

Summary

This bill would amend New York’s General Business Law to require consumer reporting agencies to notify a consumer whenever a consumer report is requested about that consumer, to the extent practicable, by mail or email. After receiving notice, the consumer could contact the agency and request identifying details about the request, including the name of the person or entity that sought the report, the nature and date of the request, and, where applicable, the amount of any potential loan connected to the request. The bill also requires the consumer to provide sufficient proof of identity before the agency may release this information. The measure would take effect 90 days after becoming law and would add a new consumer-notification and disclosure obligation to the state’s existing consumer reporting framework.

Impact

The bill would expand disclosure duties for consumer reporting agencies under section 380-d of the General Business Law by creating a new consumer notice requirement and a right to request limited information about who accessed or sought a consumer report. It would affect credit bureaus and other consumer reporting agencies, as well as consumers whose reports are requested in connection with credit or other transactions. The bill does not change the substantive standards for when reports may be requested, but it would increase transparency and may require agencies to update notice and identity-verification procedures.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a consumer-protection and transparency bill, with no recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials. The caption and operative language suggest a generally pro-consumer purpose, aimed at informing individuals when their credit or consumer information is accessed. Because there are no transcripts or vote records, there is no evidence here of formal support or opposition beyond the bill’s introduction and referral to committee.

Contention

The main potential points of contention are administrative burden, feasibility, and privacy/security tradeoffs. Consumer reporting agencies may object to the requirement to notify consumers and disclose requester information, especially where notice is only required “to the extent practicable” and disclosure is limited by identity verification. Financial institutions, lenders, or other entities that request reports could also be sensitive to increased transparency around their inquiries. On the other hand, consumer advocates would likely support the measure as a way to help consumers detect unauthorized or unexpected credit inquiries and better understand how their information is being used.