Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends how liability is accrued for companies that violate the state's Biometric Information Privacy Act in the state of Illinois.

Highlights:

• Specifies “biometric identifiers” as retina or iris scans, fingerprints, voiceprints, or scans of hand or face geometry (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes any person aggrieved by a violation of this act to take action in a State circuit court or in a federal district court (Sec. 20). 

• Establishes that a prevailing party may recover for each of the following (Sec. 20): 

• Against a private entity that negligently violates this act, liquidated damages of $1,000 or actual damages; 

• Against a private entity that intentionally or recklessly violates a provision of this act, liquidated damages of $5,000; 

• Attorneys fees and costs, including expert witness fees; and 

• Other relief as the court deems necessary. 

• Expands that any private entity that collects, captures, purchases, receives or obtains the same biometric identifiers or biometric information from the same person using the same method of collection has committed a single violation (Sec. 20). 

• Specifies that a private entity that, in more than one instance, discloses, rediscloses or otherwise disseminates the same biometric identity or biometric information as committing a single violation (Sec. 20).

Full Bill Text