Amends the state finance law to require state units to purchase only products or services containing algorithmic decision systems adhering to responsible artificial intelligence standards. Mandates the avoidance of harm, including minimizing risks of physical or mental injury, unjustified information deletion or disclosure, and unwarranted damage to property, reputation, or the environment. Emphasizes a commitment to transparency, including full disclosure of the algorithmic decision system's capabilities, limitations, and potential problems. Prioritizes fairness by eliminating discrimination, promoting equality, and providing feedback mechanisms to redress harms. Amends the executive law to define "unlawful discriminatory practice" to include actions performed through algorithmic decision systems. Require the commissioner of taxation and finance to adopt regulations to implement these provisions.
Paper
Full text
New York Bill A5309 ("Responsible AI Standards")
ETO AGORA · U.S. state and local documents · 2023
Summary
Amends the state finance law to require state units to purchase only products or services containing algorithmic decision systems adhering to responsible artificial intelligence standards.
Mandates the avoidance of harm, including minimizing risks of physical or mental injury, unjustified information deletion or disclosure, and unwarranted damage to property, reputation, or the environment.
Emphasizes a commitment to transparency, including full disclosure of the algorithmic decision system's capabilities, limitations, and potential problems.
Prioritizes fairness by eliminating discrimination, promoting equality, and providing feedback mechanisms to redress harms.
Amends the executive law to define "unlawful discriminatory practice" to include actions performed through algorithmic decision systems.
Require the commissioner of taxation and finance to adopt regulations to implement these provisions.
Segment 1
5309
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
March 7, 2023
Introduced by M. of A. SOLAGES -- read once and referred to the Committee on Governmental Operations
AN ACT to amend the state finance law, in relation to the purchase of products that are or contain an algorithmic decision system that adheres to responsible artificial intelligence standards; and to amend the executive law, in relation to the definition of "unlawful discriminatory practice"
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Requires state units to purchase algorithmic decision systems that adhere to responsible AI standards and outlines such standards, including avoiding harm and commiting to transparency.
Section 1. Section 165 of the state finance law is amended by adding a new subdivision 9 to read as follows:
- Algorithmic decision system purchase.
a. As used in this subdivision: (i) "algorithmic decision system" means a computational process, including one derived from machine learning, statistics, or other data processing or artificial intelligence techniques, that makes a decision, or facilitates human decision making, in a manner that impacts individuals; and (ii) "state unit" means the state and any governmental agency or political subdivision or public benefit corporation of the state.
b. When purchasing a product or service that is or contains an algorithmic decision system to be used by the state, a state unit shall purchase a product or service that adheres to responsible artificial intelligence standards, including: (i) the avoidance of harm, including the minimization of: (A) risks of physical or mental injury; (B) the unjustified deletion or disclosure of information; and (C) the unwarranted damage to property, reputation, or environment; (ii) a commitment to transparency, including the full disclosure to the state unit any algorithmic decision system: (A) capabilities; (B) limitations; and (C) potential problems; (iii) giving primacy to fairness, including by taking actions to: (A) eliminate discrimination; (B) include equality, tolerance, respect for others, and justice as algorithmic decision system goals; and (C) provide an avenue for feedback to redress harms; and (iv) a comprehensive and thorough evaluation and analysis of the algorithmic decision system's impact and potential risks.
c. The commissioner of taxation and finance shall adopt regulations to carry out this subdivision.
Defines "unlawful discriminatory practice" to include acts performed by algorithmic decision systems.
§ 2. Subdivision 4 of section 292 of the executive law, as amended by section 2 of subpart F of part KK of chapter 57 of the laws of 2018, is amended to read as follows:
- The term "unlawful discriminatory practice":
(a) includes only those practices specified in sections two hundred ninety-six, two hundred ninety-six-a, two hundred ninety-six-c and two hundred ninety-six-d of this article; and
(b) includes an act prohibited under paragraph (a) of this subdivision that is performed through an algorithmic decision system, as defined under subdivision nine of section one hundred sixty-five of the state finance law.
Specifies the timeline for the enactment of this Act.
§ 3. This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the date upon which it shall have become a law.