ESSB 6179: Concerning the use of biometric age verification by liquor licensees.

What this bill does

Authorizes liquor licensees to rely upon a biometric age verification system as evidence of legal age of a person buying liquor, subject to requirements. Authorizes the Liquor and Cannabis Board to consider use of a biometric age verification system as a mitigating circumstance when imposing penalties. Requires a notice about the right to use a card of identification to purchase liquor. Prohibits collection of a person's biometric identifiers without their consent, requires disclosure of the categories of data collected, how data will be used, and how a person may withdraw consent and request deletion of the data. Prohibits use of the data for any purpose other than for age verification for the purchase of liquor; specifies that a violation of the bill is a violation of the Consumer Protection Act to be enforced solely by the Attorney General; and adds definitions to liquor statutes.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• Senate: 3rd Reading & Final Passage · February 12, 2024
  49 yea · 0 nay

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