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SF 3270

Places of public accommodation to obtain express consent before collecting biometric data requirement

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Omar Fateh and 3 co-sponsors

Requires Minnesota public accommodations to get written consent before collecting biometric data like fingerprints or facial recognition from customers.

Referred to Judiciary and Public Safety
#datapracticesandprivacy #humanrightsandhumanrightsdepartment
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Bill Summary · SF 3270

Legislative bill overview

SF 3270 requires places of public accommodation in Minnesota to obtain express written consent from individuals before collecting, storing, or using their biometric data (such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, or voice patterns). The bill establishes penalties for violations and creates enforcement mechanisms through the state's consumer protection laws.

Why is this important

Biometric data collection has expanded rapidly through security systems, mobile payments, and surveillance technologies, often without clear consumer awareness or control. This bill addresses concerns about privacy, data security, and potential misuse of sensitive biological identifiers that cannot be changed if compromised—unlike passwords or credit card numbers.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Retailers, gyms, entertainment venues, and other public accommodations may face significant expenses implementing consent systems, managing data securely, and training staff on compliance
  • Definition ambiguity: The bill's scope regarding what qualifies as "places of public accommodation" and which data collection methods trigger the requirement could create enforcement challenges and litigation
  • Practical implementation questions: Unclear how businesses should handle existing biometric data already collected, whether consent can be bundled with terms of service, and how to verify genuine consent from minors or non-English speakers

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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