2009 Minnesota Statutes

325L.12 RETENTION OF ELECTRONIC RECORDS; ORIGINALS.

(a) If a law requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining an electronic record of the information in the record which:

(1) accurately reflects the information set forth in the record after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record or otherwise; and

(2) remains accessible for later reference.

(b) A requirement to retain a record in accordance with paragraph (a) does not apply to any information whose sole purpose is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received.

(c) A person may satisfy paragraph (a) by using the services of another person if the requirements of that paragraph are satisfied.

(d) If a law requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, that law is satisfied by an electronic record retained in accordance with paragraph (a).

(e) If a law requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an electronic record of the information on the front and back of the check in accordance with paragraph (a).

(f) A record retained as an electronic record in accordance with paragraph (a) satisfies a law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a law enacted after August 1, 2000, specifically prohibits the use of an electronic record for the specified purpose.

(g) This section does not preclude a governmental agency of this state from specifying additional requirements for the retention of a record subject to the agency's jurisdiction. Records of a government agency are subject to sections 15.17 and 138.17.

History:

2000 c 371 s 12