NY A02679

Directs the commissioner of housing and community renewal to establish rules and regulations authorizing voluntary use of electronic records and signatures for residential leases and lease renewals in units requiring annual registration filings.

Requires rules to conform with article three of the state technology law and include procedures ensuring tenants affirmatively consent to electronic records and that use remains voluntary per state technology law section 309.

Mandates development of a consent form in the top six languages other than English spoken in New York according to U.S. Census data, clearly stating electronic records use is voluntary and cannot be required by landlords.

Requires signed consent forms to be provided to both the tenant and the division, with electronic records not accepted for any unit unless the consent form is on file with the division.

Takes effect immediately upon enactment.