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2020 SESSION

20101478D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 59
Offered January 8, 2020
Prefiled January 6, 2020
Directing the Joint Commission on Technology and Science to form a working group to study the proliferation and implementation of facial recognition and artificial intelligence technology within the Commonwealth. Report.
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Patron-- Aird
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, facial recognition technology has made it possible to analyze pictures or live video of human faces in order to identify individuals; and

WHEREAS, artificial intelligence is used to analyze, store, and cross-reference data across state and federal databases; and

WHEREAS, the accuracy of facial recognition is variable across gender and race; and

WHEREAS, governmental agencies have begun to incorporate this technology to surveil and secure public spaces; and

WHEREAS, facial recognition implicates constitutional concerns related to unreasonable searches and seizures as well as individual privacy; and

WHEREAS, employing artificial intelligence requires storing sensitive citizen data, thereby raising concerns over cybersecurity; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Joint Commission on Technology and Science be directed to form a working group to study the proliferation and implementation of facial recognition and artificial intelligence technology within the Commonwealth.

In conducting its study, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall assemble a working group consisting of representatives from government agencies, law enforcement, private industry, academia, and other relevant stakeholders to (i) identify how the technology is currently being deployed; (ii) assess current privacy standards and data management; (iii) identify biases and concerns with the implementation of facial recognition and artificial intelligence; and (iv) provide recommendations for future regulations on the technology.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science for this study, upon request.

The Joint Commission on Technology and Science shall complete its meetings by November 30, 2020, and the chairman shall submit to the Division of Legislative Automated Systems an executive summary of its findings and recommendations no later than the first day of the 2021 Regular Session of the General Assembly. The executive summary shall state whether the Joint Commission on Technology and Science intends to submit to the General Assembly and the Governor a report of its findings and recommendations for publication as a House or Senate document. The executive summary and report shall be submitted as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents and reports and shall be posted on the General Assembly's website.