NYLON – The New York State Senate has passed a bill that would add protections for hunters, anglers and trappers to the license and permit application process.
According to a press release from Senator Catherine Young, the proposed legislation is intended to prevent the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) from disclosing personal data, including name, date of birth, height, eye color, driver’s license number, mailing address, telephone number, and whether the licensee is 40 percent or more military disabled for use other than a sporting license.
“It is incredibly important to strengthen protections for sportsmen against the disclosure of personal data. said Sen. Young. “The DEC collects this information to ensure that hunters and fishermen are properly licensed. However, sportsmen rightfully have an expectation that their personal data will be kept private.”
The DEC recently installed a new database system, the DEC Automated Licensing System (known as “DECALS”) which maintains information provided through sporting licenses and permits.
Existing law does not contain specific restrictions on the release of information for holders of licenses and permits to outside vendors or other state agencies. If passed, this legislation would require DEC to establish procedures to ensure information is not disclosed.
“When someone voluntarily discloses personal details, such as medical conditions and physical attributes, they should be assured that New York State will not misuse this information or pass it along to an outside vendor,” said Sen. Young. “Disclosure of these details should be kept confidential, so that there is no intrusion into sportsmen’s privacy.”
The bill has passed the Senate and is now before the Assembly’s Environmental Conservation Committee for consideration.
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