SF 2253

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 03/11/2019 04:01pm

A bill for an act
relating to environment; modifying data accessibility related to environmental
hazards; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 13.39, subdivision 2.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 13.39, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Civil actions.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), data collected by a
government entity as part of an active investigation undertaken for the purpose of the
commencement or defense of a pending civil legal action, or which are retained in
anticipation of a pending civil legal action, are classified as protected nonpublic data pursuant
to section 13.02, subdivision 13, in the case of data not on individuals and confidential
pursuant to section 13.02, subdivision 3, in the case of data on individuals. Any government
entity may make any data classified as confidential or protected nonpublic pursuant to this
subdivision accessible to any person, agency new text begin , new text end or the public if the government entity
determines that the access will new text begin :
new text end

new text begin (1) new text end aid the law enforcement process deleted text begin , deleted text end new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (2) new text end promote public health or safety new text begin ;
new text end

new text begin (3) facilitate community awareness of, preparedness for, or response to a release or
threatened release into the environment of a hazardous substance or a pollutant or
contaminant, as those terms are defined in section 115B.02; new text end or

new text begin (4) new text end dispel widespread rumor or unrest.

(b) A complainant has access to a statement provided by the complainant to a government
entity under paragraph (a).

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end