HF 1961

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:56am

A bill for an act
relating to courts; authorizing media coverage in trial court proceedings;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 480.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [480.31] ELECTRONIC AND STILL PHOTOGRAPHIC COVERAGE
ALLOWED.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Authority. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any rule or law to the contrary, and
subject at all times to the authority of the presiding judge to control the conduct of
proceedings before the court, to ensure decorum and prevent distractions, and to ensure the
fair administration of justice, electronic media and still photography coverage of public
judicial proceedings in the district courts of this state shall be allowed in accordance
with this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Certain proceedings; no coverage allowed. new text end

new text begin There shall be no audio
or video coverage in cases involving child custody, marriage dissolution, juvenile
proceedings, child protection proceedings, paternity proceedings, petitions for orders
for protection, motions to suppress evidence, police informants, relocated witnesses,
sex crimes, trade secrets, undercover agents, and proceedings that are not accessible
to the public.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Technical standards for photography and electronic broadcast
coverage of judicial proceedings. new text end

new text begin The court may regulate any aspect of the proceedings
to ensure that the means of recording will not distract participants or impair the dignity
of the proceedings. In the absence of a specific order imposing additional or different
conditions that still allows coverage of the proceeding, the provisions relating to technical
standards for photography and electronic broadcast coverage of judicial proceedings in the
Minnesota General Rules of Practice apply to all proceedings.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective July 1, 2009.
new text end