Senate Bill S8380A

                                 
BILL NUMBER: S8380A

SPONSOR: THOMAS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting the
unauthorized installation of  certain security devices on residential
buildings

 
PURPOSE GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:

To prevent the unauthorized installation of keyless entry devices that
could allow for unauthorized entry into the common areas of residential
buildings.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 adds a new section 390-d to the general business law to
prohibit the unauthorized installation of keyless security devices with-
out the express written consent of the manager or board of directors of
such property. The authorized installation of a keyless security device
must be performed by or under the supervision of the owner or operator
              

of the entry system or intercom.

Section 2 is the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Amazon's "Key for Business" initiative allows Amazon to install keyless
security devices in residential buildings to give their drivers the
ability to unlock apartment-building doors with a mobile device, ulti-
mately speeding up their rounds and preventing stolen packages.

This program requires that a security device be installed on the doors
of residential buildings. This has caused serious security and privacy
concerns. Namely, tenants may not be notified when these security
devices have been installed and are then unaware of who has access to
their building.

One residential building in Westchester experienced such an issue.
According to the news report, neither the tenants nor building manager
knew or permitted Amazon to install such a device. The tenants and
building manager only learned the device was installed after hundreds of
residents reported issues granting access to guests and delivery driv-
ers. A service technician called to fix the intercom discovered the
Amazon key and radio transmitters inside the intercom causing interfer-
ence. This resulted in a $1,500 charge for the intercom repair.

This bill will ensure New Yorkers are aware of any keyless entry devices
being installed in their buildings by requiring express written consent
of the manager or board of directors of the property.  The bill also
protects tenants and property owners from potential intercom repair
costs resulting from incompatible software by requiring the intercom
owner or operator to be present at installation.

 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

New bill.

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:

None to the state.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.