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HF1578 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Public dissemination of personal information about county attorneys and employees in county attorney offices restricted.

Related bill: SF2051

AI Generated Summary

This bill proposes an amendment to Minnesota Statutes, section 480.40, subdivision 1, to expand protections regarding the dissemination of personal information. Specifically, it aims to restrict the public sharing of personal information concerning Minnesota county attorneys and employees within a county attorney's office, in addition to judicial officials already covered under existing law.

Key Provisions:

  1. Expanded Definitions:

    • The bill includes county attorneys and their office employees under the definition of protected individuals.
    • Retains protections for judges, judicial branch employees, and other related officials.

  2. Definition of Personal Information:

    • Protected Information Includes:
      • Residential addresses of judicial officials, their spouses, domestic partners, and children.
      • Telephone numbers and email addresses not issued by the judicial branch.
      • Names of judicial officials' children.
      • Names of childcare facilities or schools attended by their children if linked to the official.
  • Publicly Available Information Exemption:
    • Information that is lawfully accessible through government records, widely distributed media, or publicly shared by the individual is not restricted.
  1. Clarification on Law Enforcement Support Organizations:
    • Specifies that charitable organizations do not qualify as "law enforcement support organizations."

Purpose:

The bill aims to enhance the privacy and security of county attorneys and their office employees, similar to judicial officials, by preventing the public from easily accessing and sharing their personal information, which could expose them to threats, harassment, or intimidation.

If enacted, this legislation would extend confidentiality protections to a broader group of legal professionals in Minnesota to ensure their personal safety.

Bill text versions

Actions

DateChamberWhereTypeNameCommittee Name
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law
February 25, 2025HouseFloorActionIntroduction and first reading, referred toJudiciary Finance and Civil Law

Citations

 
[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "New definitions for county attorneys and their employees."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies the definitions related to the restriction of public dissemination of personal information about judicial officials under section 480.40.",
      "modified": [
        "Clarifies and expands the scope of definitions under the section."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "480.40",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  }
]

Sponsors