BILL NUMBER: S2248
SPONSOR: COMRIE
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring
consumer reporting agencies to contact consumers when requests are made
for their consumer reports
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this bill is to require that consumer reporting agencies
contact consumers when an inquiry is made into their consumer reports to
better provide control and awareness to consumers regarding their
reports.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 380-d of the general business law is amended by adding a new
subdivision (a-i) which requires that a consumer reporting agency, upon
the occurrence of a consumer report request on any consumer, notify the
consumer. It further allows the consumer to contact the consumer report-
ing agency who shall provide information regarding the report, given the
consumer can sufficiently provide identification.
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION:
Amendments clarify and make it consistent that the bill requires notifi-
cation when a request is made for a consumer report and not just a
consumer credit report, which is a type or component of a consumer
report.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Recent breaches to consumer privacy and information have created circum-
stances which require further protection of consumers. Providing the
tools and information to consumers is a necessary step in creating a
safer and more protective environment for consumers. This bill alerts
consumers to potential threats to their credit or other aspects of their
lives, providing them with the ability to access important information.
Consumers are better able to safeguard themselves from unwarranted
damages with this information.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S1256B Comrie
2021-2022: A02484 (Niou) - referred to consumer affairs and protection
/S3466 (Comrie) - referred to consumer protection
2019-2020: A618(Niou)/S4421 (Comrie) - referred to consumer affairs and
protection/referred to consumer protection
2018: S83039 (Comrie)/A10411 (Niou) - referred to consumer
protection/referred to consumer affairs and protection
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect 90 days after it becomes law.

Statutes affected:
S2248: 380-d general business law