HB1642 (2020) Compare Changes


The Bill Text indicates a new section is being inserted. This situation is not handled right now, and the new text is displayed in both the changed and unchanged versions.

Unchanged Version

Text to be removed highlighted in red.

1 New Subdivision; Breaches of the Peace; Face Recognition Technology Prohibited. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 22 the following new subdivision:

Face Recognition Technology Prohibited

644:23 Definitions. In this subdivision:

I. "Face recognition technology" means an automated or semi-automated process that assists in identifying an individual or capturing information about an individual, based on the physical characteristics of an individual's face.

II. "Face recognition system" means any computer software or application that performs face recognition.

III. "State" means any department, agency, bureau, or administrative unit of the state of New Hampshire, including any city, town, county, school district, or municipal entity therein.

IV. "State official" shall mean any person or entity acting on behalf of the state of New Hampshire as defined in paragraph III, including any officer, employee, agent, contractor, subcontractor, or vendor.

644:24 Face Recognition Technology Prohibited. Neither the state nor any state official shall obtain, retain, access, or use any face recognition system or any information obtained from a face recognition system. This section shall not prohibit a New Hampshire state law enforcement agency from lawfully assisting a federal agency in a joint law enforcement activity wherein the federal agency uses federal face recognition technology. A New Hampshire law enforcement agency or official shall not request, encourage, suggest, or otherwise initiate access to information or data from or use of an out-of-state face recognition system.

644:25 Evidence Inadmissible.

I. Any data or information collected or derived from any use of face recognition technology in violation of this subdivision shall be inadmissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, legislative committee, or other authority subject to the jurisdiction of the state of New Hampshire.

II. Any evidence derived from data or information collected from any use of face recognition technology in violation of this subdivision shall be inadmissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, legislative committee, or other authority subject to the jurisdiction of the state of New Hampshire.

III. Data or information collected using face recognition technology or derived from such data or information in violation of this subdivision shall be considered unlawfully obtained, and shall be irretrievably deleted from any document in possession of the state or in any court file or filing upon discovery.

644:26 Private Cause of Action.

I. Any person aggrieved by a violation of this subdivision may file for injunctive relief, declaratory relief, or writ of mandamus in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce this subdivision. An action instituted under this section shall be brought against the respective department of the state of New Hampshire or any other governmental agency with possession, custody, or control of data or information subject to this subdivision, if necessary to effectuate compliance with this subdivision.

II. Any person who has been subjected to face recognition technology in violation of this subdivision, or about whom information has been obtained, retained, accessed, or used in violation of this subdivision, may file an action in any court of competent jurisdiction against the state and shall be entitled to recover actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages of $1,000 or $100 for each violation, whichever is greater.

III. A court shall award costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to a plaintiff who is the prevailing party in an action brought under this section.

644:27 Consequences. A violation of this subdivision by a state official shall result in consequences that may include retraining, suspension, or termination, subject to due process requirements.

2 Drivers' Licenses; Use of Facial Recognition Technology Prohibited. Amend RSA 263:40-b to read as follows:

263:40-b Use of Facial Recognition Technology Prohibited. The department is prohibited from using any facial recognition technology in connection with taking or retaining any photograph or digital image for purposes of this chapter.

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

Changed Version

Text to be added highlighted in green.

1 New Subdivision; Breaches of the Peace; Face Recognition Technology Prohibited. Amend RSA 644 by inserting after section 22 the following new subdivision:

Face Recognition Technology Prohibited

644:23 Definitions. In this subdivision:

I. "Face recognition technology" means an automated or semi-automated process that assists in identifying an individual or capturing information about an individual, based on the physical characteristics of an individual's face.

II. "Face recognition system" means any computer software or application that performs face recognition.

III. "State" means any department, agency, bureau, or administrative unit of the state of New Hampshire, including any city, town, county, school district, or municipal entity therein.

IV. "State official" shall mean any person or entity acting on behalf of the state of New Hampshire as defined in paragraph III, including any officer, employee, agent, contractor, subcontractor, or vendor.

644:24 Face Recognition Technology Prohibited. Neither the state nor any state official shall obtain, retain, access, or use any face recognition system or any information obtained from a face recognition system. This section shall not prohibit a New Hampshire state law enforcement agency from lawfully assisting a federal agency in a joint law enforcement activity wherein the federal agency uses federal face recognition technology. A New Hampshire law enforcement agency or official shall not request, encourage, suggest, or otherwise initiate access to information or data from or use of an out-of-state face recognition system.

644:25 Evidence Inadmissible.

I. Any data or information collected or derived from any use of face recognition technology in violation of this subdivision shall be inadmissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, legislative committee, or other authority subject to the jurisdiction of the state of New Hampshire.

II. Any evidence derived from data or information collected from any use of face recognition technology in violation of this subdivision shall be inadmissible in any trial, hearing, or other proceeding in or before any court, grand jury, department, officer, agency, regulatory body, legislative committee, or other authority subject to the jurisdiction of the state of New Hampshire.

III. Data or information collected using face recognition technology or derived from such data or information in violation of this subdivision shall be considered unlawfully obtained, and shall be irretrievably deleted from any document in possession of the state or in any court file or filing upon discovery.

644:26 Private Cause of Action.

I. Any person aggrieved by a violation of this subdivision may file for injunctive relief, declaratory relief, or writ of mandamus in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce this subdivision. An action instituted under this section shall be brought against the respective department of the state of New Hampshire or any other governmental agency with possession, custody, or control of data or information subject to this subdivision, if necessary to effectuate compliance with this subdivision.

II. Any person who has been subjected to face recognition technology in violation of this subdivision, or about whom information has been obtained, retained, accessed, or used in violation of this subdivision, may file an action in any court of competent jurisdiction against the state and shall be entitled to recover actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages of $1,000 or $100 for each violation, whichever is greater.

III. A court shall award costs and reasonable attorneys' fees to a plaintiff who is the prevailing party in an action brought under this section.

644:27 Consequences. A violation of this subdivision by a state official shall result in consequences that may include retraining, suspension, or termination, subject to due process requirements.

2 Drivers' Licenses; Use of Facial Recognition Technology Prohibited. Amend RSA 263:40-b to read as follows:

263:40-b Use of Facial Recognition Technology Prohibited. The department is prohibited from using any facial recognition technology in connection with taking or retaining any photograph or digital image .

3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.