Facial recognition software in New York schools will be halted for further study under legislation approved on Tuesday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

"Facial recognition technology could provide a host of benefits to New Yorkers, but its use brings up serious and legitimate privacy concerns that we have to examine, especially in schools," Cuomo said. 

"This legislation requires state education policymakers to take a step back, consult with experts and address privacy issues before determining whether any kind of biometric identifying technology can be brought into New York's schools. The safety and security of our children is vital to every parent, and whether to use this technology is not a decision to be made lightly."

The legislation creates a moratorium for the technology as well as other biometric software in schools until at least July 2022 as the review of the technology is being conducted.

The report on the use of facial recognition software will be conducted by the State Education Department and the Office of Information Technology. The report will assess feedback from teachers, parents and school safety experts. 

The use of facial recognition technology has come under scrutiny from civil liberties advocates over concerns surrounding personal data as well as the propensity to misidentify people of color, women and young people.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Brian Kavanagh and Assemblywoman Monica Wallace.

"Before spending millions of dollars on this new and unproven technology, we owe it to students, parents, and taxpayers to take a hard look at whether facial recognition software is appropriate for use in schools," Wallace said.