<a id="pl.1.3"></a><var>1.3</var>data practices law violations; providing civil penalties; appropriating money;<br/>
<a id="pl.1.4"></a><var>1.4</var>amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, sections 13.072, subdivision 2; 13.08, <br/>
<a id="pl.1.5"></a><var>1.5</var>subdivision 4; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13.<br/>
<a id="pl.1.6"></a><var>1.6</var>BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.1.0"></a><a id="pl.1.7"></a><var>1.7</var>    Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 13.072, subdivision 2, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.8"></a><var>1.8</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Effect.</b> Opinions issued by the commissioner under this section are not <br/>
<a id="pl.1.9"></a><var>1.9</var>binding on the government entity or members of a body subject to chapter 13D whose <br/>
<a id="pl.1.10"></a><var>1.10</var>data or performance of duties is the subject of the opinion, but an opinion described in <br/>
<a id="pl.1.11"></a><var>1.11</var>subdivision 1, paragraph (a), must be given deference by a court or other tribunal in a <br/>
<a id="pl.1.12"></a><var>1.12</var>proceeding involving the data. The commissioner shall arrange for public dissemination of <br/>
<a id="pl.1.13"></a><var>1.13</var>opinions issued under this section. This section does not preclude a person from bringing <br/>
<a id="pl.1.14"></a><var>1.14</var>any other action under this chapter or other law in addition to or instead of requesting a <br/>
<a id="pl.1.15"></a><var>1.15</var>written opinion. A government entity, members of a body subject to chapter 13D, or <br/>
<a id="pl.1.16"></a><var>1.16</var>person that acts in conformity with a written opinion of the commissioner issued to the <br/>
<a id="pl.1.17"></a><var>1.17</var>government entity, members, or person or to another party is not liable for compensatory <br/>
<a id="pl.1.18"></a><var>1.18</var>or exemplary damages or awards of attorneys fees in actions for violations arising under <br/>
<a id="pl.1.19"></a><var>1.19</var>section 
         <statute_ref>13.08</statute_ref> or 13.085, or for a penalty under section 
         <statute_ref>13.09</statute_ref> or for fines, awards of attorney <br/>
<a id="pl.1.20"></a><var>1.20</var>fees, or any other penalty under chapter 13D. A member of a body subject to chapter 13D <br/>
<a id="pl.1.21"></a><var>1.21</var>is not subject to forfeiture of office if the member was acting in reliance on an opinion.  <br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.2.0"></a><a id="pl.1.22"></a><var>1.22</var>    Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 13.08, subdivision 4, is amended to read:<br/>
<a id="pl.1.23"></a><var>1.23</var>    Subd. 4. <b>Action to compel compliance.</b> (a) Actions to compel compliance may be <br/>
<a id="pl.1.24"></a><var>1.24</var>brought either under section 13.085 or this subdivision. For actions under this subdivision, <br/>
<a id="pl.2.1"></a><var>2.1</var>in addition to the remedies provided in subdivisions 1 to 3 or any other law, any aggrieved <br/>
<a id="pl.2.2"></a><var>2.2</var>person seeking to enforce the person's rights under this chapter or obtain access to data <br/>
<a id="pl.2.3"></a><var>2.3</var>may bring an action in district court to compel compliance with this chapter and may <br/>
<a id="pl.2.4"></a><var>2.4</var>recover costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorney's fees, as determined by <br/>
<a id="pl.2.5"></a><var>2.5</var>the court. If the court determines that an action brought under this subdivision is frivolous <br/>
<a id="pl.2.6"></a><var>2.6</var>and without merit and a basis in fact, it may award reasonable costs and attorney fees to <br/>
<a id="pl.2.7"></a><var>2.7</var>the responsible authority. If the court issues an order to compel compliance under this <br/>
<a id="pl.2.8"></a><var>2.8</var>subdivision, the court may impose a civil penalty of up to $1,000 against the government <br/>
<a id="pl.2.9"></a><var>2.9</var>entity. This penalty is payable to the state general fund and is in addition to damages <br/>
<a id="pl.2.10"></a><var>2.10</var>under subdivision 1. The matter shall be heard as soon as possible. In an action involving <br/>
<a id="pl.2.11"></a><var>2.11</var>a request for government data under section 
         <statute_ref>13.03</statute_ref> or 
         <statute_ref>13.04</statute_ref>, the court may inspect in <br/>
<a id="pl.2.12"></a><var>2.12</var>camera the government data in dispute, but shall conduct its hearing in public and in a <br/>
<a id="pl.2.13"></a><var>2.13</var>manner that protects the security of data classified as not public. If the court issues an <br/>
<a id="pl.2.14"></a><var>2.14</var>order to compel compliance under this subdivision, the court shall forward a copy of the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.15"></a><var>2.15</var>order to the commissioner of administration. <br/>
<a id="pl.2.16"></a><var>2.16</var>    (b) In determining whether to assess a civil penalty under this subdivision, the court <br/>
<a id="pl.2.17"></a><var>2.17</var>or other tribunal shall consider whether the government entity has substantially complied <br/>
<a id="pl.2.18"></a><var>2.18</var>with general data practices under this chapter, including but not limited to, whether the <br/>
<a id="pl.2.19"></a><var>2.19</var>government entity has:<br/>
<a id="pl.2.20"></a><var>2.20</var>    (1) designated a responsible authority under section 
         <statute_ref>13.02, subdivision 16</statute_ref>; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.21"></a><var>2.21</var>    (2) designated a data practices compliance official under section 
         <statute_ref>13.05, subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.2.22"></a><var>2.22</var>13
         </statute_ref>; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.23"></a><var>2.23</var>    (3) prepared the public document that names the responsible authority and describes <br/>
<a id="pl.2.24"></a><var>2.24</var>the records and data on individuals that are maintained by the government entity under <br/>
<a id="pl.2.25"></a><var>2.25</var>section 
         <statute_ref>13.05, subdivision 1</statute_ref>; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.26"></a><var>2.26</var>    (4) developed public access procedures under section 
         <statute_ref>13.03, subdivision 2</statute_ref>; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.27"></a><var>2.27</var>procedures to guarantee the rights of data subjects under section 
         <statute_ref>13.05, subdivision 8</statute_ref>; and <br/>
<a id="pl.2.28"></a><var>2.28</var>procedures to ensure that data on individuals are accurate and complete and to safeguard <br/>
<a id="pl.2.29"></a><var>2.29</var>the data's security under section 
         <statute_ref>13.05, subdivision 5</statute_ref>; <br/>
<a id="pl.2.30"></a><var>2.30</var>    (5) acted in conformity with an opinion issued under section 
         <statute_ref>13.072</statute_ref> that was sought <br/>
<a id="pl.2.31"></a><var>2.31</var>by a government entity or another person; or <br/>
<a id="pl.2.32"></a><var>2.32</var>    (6) provided ongoing training to government entity personnel who respond to <br/>
<a id="pl.2.33"></a><var>2.33</var>requests under this chapter.<br/>
<a id="pl.2.34"></a><var>2.34</var>    (c) The court shall award reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing plaintiff who has <br/>
<a id="pl.2.35"></a><var>2.35</var>brought an action under this subdivision if the government entity that is the defendant in <br/>
<a id="pl.2.36"></a><var>2.36</var>the action was also the subject of a written opinion issued under section 
         <statute_ref>13.072</statute_ref> and the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.1"></a><var>3.1</var>court finds that the opinion is directly related to the cause of action being litigated and that <br/>
<a id="pl.3.2"></a><var>3.2</var>the government entity did not act in conformity with the opinion. <br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.3.0"></a><a id="pl.3.3"></a><var>3.3</var>    Sec. 3. <b>[13.085] ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.3.4"></a><var>3.4</var>    Subdivision 1. <b>Definition.</b> As used in this section, "office" means the Office of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.5"></a><var>3.5</var>Administrative Hearings.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.6"></a><var>3.6</var>    Subd. 2. <b>Complaints.</b> (a) A complaint alleging a violation of this chapter for which <br/>
<a id="pl.3.7"></a><var>3.7</var>an order to compel compliance is requested may be filed with the office. An action to <br/>
<a id="pl.3.8"></a><var>3.8</var>compel compliance does not include procedures pursuant to section 13.04, subdivision <br/>
<a id="pl.3.9"></a><var>3.9</var>4 or 4a. An action may not be filed under this section in matters involving requests for <br/>
<a id="pl.3.10"></a><var>3.10</var>educational data classified under section 13.32.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.11"></a><var>3.11</var>(b) The complaint must be filed with the office within two years after the occurrence <br/>
<a id="pl.3.12"></a><var>3.12</var>of the act or failure to act that is the subject of the complaint, except that if the act or <br/>
<a id="pl.3.13"></a><var>3.13</var>failure to act involves concealment or misrepresentation by a government entity that could <br/>
<a id="pl.3.14"></a><var>3.14</var>not be discovered during that period, the complaint may be filed with the office within one <br/>
<a id="pl.3.15"></a><var>3.15</var>year after the concealment or misrepresentation is discovered.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.16"></a><var>3.16</var>(c) The complaint must be made in writing, submitted under oath, and detail the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.17"></a><var>3.17</var>factual basis for the claim that a violation of law has occurred. The office may prescribe <br/>
<a id="pl.3.18"></a><var>3.18</var>a standard form for the complaint. The complaint must be accompanied by a filing fee <br/>
<a id="pl.3.19"></a><var>3.19</var>of $1,000 or a bond to guarantee the payment of this fee.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.20"></a><var>3.20</var>(d) Upon receipt of a filed complaint, the office must immediately notify the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.21"></a><var>3.21</var>respondent and, if known, the applicable government entity's responsible authority, if the <br/>
<a id="pl.3.22"></a><var>3.22</var>responsible authority is not otherwise named as the respondent. The office must provide <br/>
<a id="pl.3.23"></a><var>3.23</var>the respondent with a copy of the complaint by the most expeditious means available. <br/>
<a id="pl.3.24"></a><var>3.24</var>Notice to a responsible authority must be delivered by certified mail. The office must <br/>
<a id="pl.3.25"></a><var>3.25</var>also notify, to the extent practicable, any individual or entity that is the subject of all or <br/>
<a id="pl.3.26"></a><var>3.26</var>part of the data in dispute.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.27"></a><var>3.27</var>(e) The office must notify the commissioner of administration of an action filed <br/>
<a id="pl.3.28"></a><var>3.28</var>under this section. Proceedings under this section must be dismissed if a request for an <br/>
<a id="pl.3.29"></a><var>3.29</var>opinion from the commissioner was accepted on the matter under section 13.072 before <br/>
<a id="pl.3.30"></a><var>3.30</var>the complaint was filed, and the complainant's filing fee must be refunded.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.31"></a><var>3.31</var>(f) The respondent must file a response to the complaint within 15 business days of <br/>
<a id="pl.3.32"></a><var>3.32</var>receipt of the notice. For good cause shown, the office may extend the time for filing a <br/>
<a id="pl.3.33"></a><var>3.33</var>response.<br/>
<a id="pl.3.34"></a><var>3.34</var>    Subd. 3. <b>Probable cause review.</b> (a) The chief administrative law judge must assign <br/>
<a id="pl.3.35"></a><var>3.35</var>an administrative law judge to review each complaint. Within 20 business days after a <br/>
<a id="pl.4.1"></a><var>4.1</var>response is filed, or the respondent's time to file the response, including any extension, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.2"></a><var>4.2</var>has expired, the administrative law judge must make a preliminary determination for <br/>
<a id="pl.4.3"></a><var>4.3</var>its disposition as follows:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.4"></a><var>4.4</var>(1) If the administrative law judge determines that the complaint and any timely <br/>
<a id="pl.4.5"></a><var>4.5</var>response of the respondent agency do not present sufficient facts to believe that a violation <br/>
<a id="pl.4.6"></a><var>4.6</var>of this chapter has occurred, the complaint must be dismissed. <br/>
<a id="pl.4.7"></a><var>4.7</var>(2) If the administrative law judge determines that the complaint and any timely <br/>
<a id="pl.4.8"></a><var>4.8</var>response of the respondent agency do present sufficient facts to believe that a violation of <br/>
<a id="pl.4.9"></a><var>4.9</var>this chapter has occurred, the judge must schedule a hearing as provided in subdivision 4.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.10"></a><var>4.10</var>(b) The office must notify all parties of the determination made under paragraph <br/>
<a id="pl.4.11"></a><var>4.11</var>(a). The notice must provide as follows:<br/>
<a id="pl.4.12"></a><var>4.12</var>(1) If the complaint is scheduled for a hearing, the notice must identify the time and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.13"></a><var>4.13</var>place of the hearing and inform all parties that they may submit evidence, affidavits, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.14"></a><var>4.14</var>documentation, and argument for consideration by the administrative law judge.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.15"></a><var>4.15</var>(2) If the complaint is dismissed for failure to present sufficient facts to believe that <br/>
<a id="pl.4.16"></a><var>4.16</var>a violation of this chapter has occurred, the notice must inform the parties of the right <br/>
<a id="pl.4.17"></a><var>4.17</var>of the complainant to seek reconsideration of the decision on the record by the chief <br/>
<a id="pl.4.18"></a><var>4.18</var>administrative law judge, as provided in paragraph (c).<br/>
<a id="pl.4.19"></a><var>4.19</var>(c) A petition for reconsideration may be filed no later than five business days after a <br/>
<a id="pl.4.20"></a><var>4.20</var>complaint is dismissed for failure to present sufficient facts to believe that a violation of <br/>
<a id="pl.4.21"></a><var>4.21</var>this chapter has occurred. The chief administrative law judge must review the petition and <br/>
<a id="pl.4.22"></a><var>4.22</var>make a final ruling within ten business days after its receipt. If the chief administrative <br/>
<a id="pl.4.23"></a><var>4.23</var>law judge determines that the assigned administrative law judge made a clear material <br/>
<a id="pl.4.24"></a><var>4.24</var>error, the chief administrative law judge must schedule the matter for a hearing as <br/>
<a id="pl.4.25"></a><var>4.25</var>provided in subdivision 4.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.26"></a><var>4.26</var>    Subd. 4. <b>Hearing; procedure.</b> (a) A hearing on a complaint must be held within 30 <br/>
<a id="pl.4.27"></a><var>4.27</var>business days after the parties are notified that a hearing will be held. An oral hearing <br/>
<a id="pl.4.28"></a><var>4.28</var>to resolve questions of law may be waived upon consent of all parties and the presiding <br/>
<a id="pl.4.29"></a><var>4.29</var>administrative law judge. For good cause shown, the judge may delay the date of a hearing <br/>
<a id="pl.4.30"></a><var>4.30</var>by no more than ten business days. The judge may continue a hearing to enable the parties <br/>
<a id="pl.4.31"></a><var>4.31</var>to submit additional evidence or testimony.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.32"></a><var>4.32</var>(b) The administrative law judge must consider any evidence and argument <br/>
<a id="pl.4.33"></a><var>4.33</var>submitted until the hearing record is closed, including affidavits and documentation.<br/>
<a id="pl.4.34"></a><var>4.34</var>(c) All hearings, and any records relating to the hearing, must be open to the public, <br/>
<a id="pl.4.35"></a><var>4.35</var>except that the judge may inspect in camera any government data in dispute and shall <br/>
<a id="pl.4.36"></a><var>4.36</var>otherwise conduct the hearing and maintain records in a manner that protects the security <br/>
<a id="pl.5.1"></a><var>5.1</var>of data classified or alleged to be classified as not public. A hearing may be conducted <br/>
<a id="pl.5.2"></a><var>5.2</var>by conference telephone call or interactive audio/video system, at the discretion of the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.3"></a><var>5.3</var>presiding judge, and upon consent of all parties.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.4"></a><var>5.4</var>    Subd. 5. <b>Disposition.</b> (a) Following a hearing, the judge must determine whether <br/>
<a id="pl.5.5"></a><var>5.5</var>the violation alleged in the complaint occurred and must make at least one of the following <br/>
<a id="pl.5.6"></a><var>5.6</var>dispositions. The judge may:<br/>
<a id="pl.5.7"></a><var>5.7</var>(1) dismiss the complaint;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.8"></a><var>5.8</var>(2) find that an act or failure to act constituted a violation of this chapter; <br/>
<a id="pl.5.9"></a><var>5.9</var>(3) impose a civil penalty against the respondent of up to $300;<br/>
<a id="pl.5.10"></a><var>5.10</var>(4) issue an order compelling the respondent to comply with a provision of law that <br/>
<a id="pl.5.11"></a><var>5.11</var>has been violated, and may establish a deadline for production of data, if necessary; and<br/>
<a id="pl.5.12"></a><var>5.12</var>(5) refer the complaint to the appropriate prosecuting authority for consideration <br/>
<a id="pl.5.13"></a><var>5.13</var>of criminal charges.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.14"></a><var>5.14</var>(b) In determining whether to assess a civil penalty, the office shall consider the <br/>
<a id="pl.5.15"></a><var>5.15</var>factors described in section 13.08, subdivision 4.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.16"></a><var>5.16</var>(c) The judge must render a decision on a complaint within ten business days <br/>
<a id="pl.5.17"></a><var>5.17</var>after the hearing record closes. The chief administrative law judge shall provide for <br/>
<a id="pl.5.18"></a><var>5.18</var>public dissemination of orders issued under this section. If the judge determines that <br/>
<a id="pl.5.19"></a><var>5.19</var>a government entity has violated a provision of law and issues an order to compel <br/>
<a id="pl.5.20"></a><var>5.20</var>compliance, the office shall forward a copy of the order to the commissioner of <br/>
<a id="pl.5.21"></a><var>5.21</var>administration. Any order issued pursuant to this section is enforceable through the district <br/>
<a id="pl.5.22"></a><var>5.22</var>court for the district in which the respondent is located.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.23"></a><var>5.23</var>(d) A party aggrieved by a final decision on a complaint filed under this section <br/>
<a id="pl.5.24"></a><var>5.24</var>is entitled to judicial review as provided in sections 14.63 to 14.69. Proceedings on a <br/>
<a id="pl.5.25"></a><var>5.25</var>complaint are not a contested case within the meaning of chapter 14 and are not otherwise <br/>
<a id="pl.5.26"></a><var>5.26</var>governed by chapter 14. An action in district court to enforce an order of the office may <br/>
<a id="pl.5.27"></a><var>5.27</var>not be brought until at least 30 days after the order is issued.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.28"></a><var>5.28</var>(e) A decision of the office under this section is not controlling in any subsequent <br/>
<a id="pl.5.29"></a><var>5.29</var>action brought in district court alleging the same violation and seeking damages.<br/>
<a id="pl.5.30"></a><var>5.30</var>(f) A government entity or person that releases not public data pursuant to an <br/>
<a id="pl.5.31"></a><var>5.31</var>order under this section is immune from civil and criminal liability for that release. A <br/>
<a id="pl.5.32"></a><var>5.32</var>government entity or person that acts in conformity with an order issued under this <br/>
<a id="pl.5.33"></a><var>5.33</var>section to the government entity or to any other person is not liable for compensatory or <br/>
<a id="pl.5.34"></a><var>5.34</var>exemplary damage or awards of attorney fees for acting in conformity with that order in <br/>
<a id="pl.5.35"></a><var>5.35</var>actions under this section or section 13.08, or for a penalty under section 13.09.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.1"></a><var>6.1</var>    Subd. 6. <b>Costs; attorney fees.</b> (a) A rebuttable presumption shall exist that a <br/>
<a id="pl.6.2"></a><var>6.2</var>complainant who substantially prevails on the merits in an action brought under this <br/>
<a id="pl.6.3"></a><var>6.3</var>section is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees, not to exceed $5,000. An <br/>
<a id="pl.6.4"></a><var>6.4</var>award of attorney fees may be denied if the judge determines that the violation is merely <br/>
<a id="pl.6.5"></a><var>6.5</var>technical or that there is a genuine uncertainty about the meaning of the governing law. <br/>
<a id="pl.6.6"></a><var>6.6</var>(b) Reasonable attorney fees, not to exceed $5,000, must be awarded to a <br/>
<a id="pl.6.7"></a><var>6.7</var>substantially prevailing complainant if the government entity that is the respondent in <br/>
<a id="pl.6.8"></a><var>6.8</var>the action was also the subject of a written opinion issued under section 
<statute_ref>13.072</statute_ref> and the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.9"></a><var>6.9</var>administrative law judge finds that the opinion is directly related to the matter in dispute <br/>
<a id="pl.6.10"></a><var>6.10</var>and that the government entity did not act in conformity with the opinion.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.11"></a><var>6.11</var>(c) The office shall refund the filing fee of a substantially prevailing complainant <br/>
<a id="pl.6.12"></a><var>6.12</var>in full, less $50, and the office's costs in conducting the matter shall be billed to the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.13"></a><var>6.13</var>respondent, not to exceed $1,000.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.14"></a><var>6.14</var>(d) A complainant who does not substantially prevail on the merits is entitled to a <br/>
<a id="pl.6.15"></a><var>6.15</var>refund of the filing fee, less any costs incurred by the office in conducting the matter.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.16"></a><var>6.16</var>(e) If the administrative law judge determines that a complaint is frivolous, or <br/>
<a id="pl.6.17"></a><var>6.17</var>brought for purposes of harassment, the judge must order that the complainant pay the <br/>
<a id="pl.6.18"></a><var>6.18</var>respondent's reasonable attorney fees, not to exceed $5,000. The complainant is not <br/>
<a id="pl.6.19"></a><var>6.19</var>entitled to a refund of the filing fee. <br/>
<a id="pl.6.20"></a><var>6.20</var>(f) The court shall award the complainant costs and attorney fees incurred in <br/>
<a id="pl.6.21"></a><var>6.21</var>bringing an action in district court to enforce an order of the office under this chapter.<br/>
<a id="pl.6.22"></a><var>6.22</var>    Subd. 7. <b>Special account; appropriation.</b> Proceeds collected by the office from <br/>
<a id="pl.6.23"></a><var>6.23</var>filing fees and bonds submitted under this section shall be deposited into a special <br/>
<a id="pl.6.24"></a><var>6.24</var>account and are appropriated to the office for use in administering the requirements of <br/>
<a id="pl.6.25"></a><var>6.25</var>this section. By September 1 each year, the chief administrative law judge must report <br/>
<a id="pl.6.26"></a><var>6.26</var>to the chairs and ranking minority members of the house of representatives and senate <br/>
<a id="pl.6.27"></a><var>6.27</var>finance divisions with jurisdiction over the office on receipt and expenditure of money <br/>
<a id="pl.6.28"></a><var>6.28</var>under this section in the prior fiscal year.<br/>
<br/>
<a id="bill.0.4.0"></a><a id="pl.6.29"></a><var>6.29</var>    Sec. 4. <b>EFFECTIVE DATE.</b><br/>
<a id="pl.6.30"></a><var>6.30</var>This act is effective August 1, 2010, and applies to actions commenced on or after <br/>
<a id="pl.6.31"></a><var>6.31</var>that date.<br/>