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Bill

S 9834

Relates to collection of social security account numbers for registration with the New York state donate life registry

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jamaal Bailey

The bill lets insurers collect SSNs solely to enable and transmit donor registry enrollment for organ, eye, and tissue donation, with strict use limits and safeguards.

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Bill Summary · S 9834

Summary of Bill S. 9834 (2025-2026) – New York

Main purpose and intent

  • The bill amends several New York laws to facilitate the collection and use of Social Security account numbers (SSNs) for registering individuals in the New York state Donate Life Registry (organ, eye, and tissue donation).
  • It aims to streamline donor registration by allowing insurers and related entities to collect SSNs specifically to support an affirmative donor election and to transmit necessary data to the Department of Health for donor registry status, while restricting other uses.

Key provisions and changes

  • General Business Law (SBL)

    • Adds to the permissible purposes for requesting an SSN:
    • Updating the existing authorized purposes (child/spousal support, criminal record checks) to include blood donation and organ donation, in addition to existing uses.
    • Clarifies that SSNs may be collected when required by state/federal law, for internal verification, for fraud or administrative purposes, or for authorized business functions, including those permitted under 15 U.S.C. 6802.

  • Insurance Law – New Section 3114 (Data facilitation for anatomical gift registration)

    • Defines key terms: New York state Donate Life Registry, SSN, and affirmative election.
    • Grants authority to authorized insurers (or entities acting on their behalf) to collect an individual’s SSN solely for facilitating an affirmative election to donate.
    • Requires insurers to disclose and transmit the individual’s SSN to the Department of Health to effectuate, verify, or amend donor registration status in the Donate Life Registry.
    • Prohibits using collected SSNs for underwriting, rating, eligibility, marketing, claims, or any unrelated purpose.
    • Mandates safeguarding of information consistent with applicable state and federal laws.

  • Insurance Law – Sections 3217-a and 4324 (new subsections)

    • Adds subsection (h) to require certain insurers/corporations delivering major medical or similar comprehensive coverage to comply with section 31,014 of the Insurance Law (data privacy and security requirements related to donor registry data).

  • Public Health Law – Donor Registry enrollment (Section 4408)

    • Renumbers subdivision 8 to 9 and updates subdivision 9:
    • Requires contracts for major medical/comprehensive coverage to include a clear option on enrollment portals for subscribers to register or decline registration in the Donate Life Registry.
    • Enrollment forms must clearly present the prompt: “Would you like to be added to the Donate Life Registry? Check box for 'yes' or 'skip this question'.”
    • Requires insurers to comply with the provisions of section 31,014 of the Insurance Law for these enrollment-related activities.

  • Effective date

    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Insurance companies and producers underwriting or delivering major medical or comprehensive health coverage in New York, and any entities acting on their behalf.
  • Enrollees/subscribers in such insurance plans, who will encounter an option to join the Donate Life Registry during enrollment or renewal processes.
  • New York State Department of Health (donor registry administration) will receive SSNs and related donor status data to maintain and verify donation registrations.
  • Public health and consumer protection frameworks governing privacy and data handling for SSNs and registry information.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The bill specifies implementation of donor registration prompts on enrollment portals and the data collection process, with emphasis on data safeguards and restricted use.
  • It aligns with and references existing statutory sections (Public Health Law Article 43 for Donate Life Registry; Insurance Law §31,014) to ensure interoperability and regulatory consistency.
  • The act was introduced in April 2026 and follows a standard legislative process, moving through committees and readings with amendments as reflected in the bill’s text.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Potentially increases the number of New York residents registered as organ, eye, and tissue donors by simplifying enrollment during insurance enrollment.
  • Introduces SSN collection specifically for donor registry purposes, with strict limitations on use beyond donor registration.
  • Elevates data privacy safeguards for sensitive information (SSNs and donor status) in line with state and federal law.
  • Insurers will need to update enrollment systems to include explicit donor registry prompts and ensure secure data transmission to the Department of Health.

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

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