Senate consumer protection committee advances seven bills, including credit‑card notice and student‑loan protections

The Senate Standing Committee on Consumer Protection advanced seven bills during its third meeting of the 2026 legislative session, Chair Sen. Rachel May said, moving multiple measures toward first reading or referral.

The committee reported bills addressing bicycle serial numbers for resale, a 45‑day notice requirement before a credit‑card issuer closes an account, a prohibition on health‑care providers storing credit‑card data without consent, gas station assistance for disabled motorists, deletion of customers’ financial information after cancellation of automatic renewals, protections for private education loan borrowers and cosigners, and a requirement that entities accessing a consumer credit report notify consumers of their right to place a security freeze.

Why it matters: The set of bills targets consumer protection gaps ranging from identity theft to predatory practices and accessibility. Several measures would change business practices or require additional notices to consumers, which supporters said will help prevent fraud and help vulnerable consumers maintain access to essential services.

The credit‑card notice bill (Senate bill 18 59) drew the most extended discussion. A committee member described a constituent who lost access to a card with no prior notice; Chair Sen. Rachel May said she experienced a sudden card cancellation after her husband’s death, adding, “I had had borrowed money to get to the funeral. It was that. Like, it was just very sudden, and they didn't give me a heads up.” Members said they wanted to preserve exceptions where issuers need to act quickly for fraud or security reasons and indicated an openness to technical amendments.

Several other bills received little or no debate and were moved and seconded without prolonged discussion. For example, a bill to prohibit hospitals and health‑care providers from storing credit‑card information without consent and a bill to require gas station assistance to disabled motorists were both reported for first reading or referred to the appropriate committee.

Votes at a glance: Each bill was moved by members of the committee and reported as follows (vote tallies not specified in the transcript): • Senate bill 15 41 (May) — require serial numbers on bicycles sold/resold in New York State; reported to the calendar. • Senate bill 18 59 (Myrie) — require 45 days’ notice before closing a credit‑card account; reported to the calendar. • Senate bill 23 93 (Persaud) — prohibit health‑care providers from storing credit‑card info without consent; reported for first reading. • Senate bill 42 96 (Parker) — gas station assistance to disabled motorists; referred to Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business. • Senate bill 44 13 (May) — require deletion of customer financial info after cancellation of automatic renewals; reported for first reading. • S 55 98 A (May) — protections for private education loan borrowers and cosigners; reported for first reading. • S 6 4 4 6 (May) — require notice of right to a security freeze when credit reports are accessed; reported for first reading.

Next steps: All reported bills move to the Senate calendar or the named referral committee for further consideration. The committee adjourned after completing the agenda.