This bill amends various sections of Minnesota Statutes to enhance the disclosure of personnel data related to peace officers and potential government witnesses to prosecuting authorities. It establishes that a responsible authority must release personnel data to a prosecuting authority if the individual may be a witness in a criminal prosecution, without requiring a court order. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the classification of the data does not change upon disclosure, and a protective order must be secured if non-public data is disclosed to a defendant. The bill also provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for government entities or individuals releasing this data, unless false information is presented with the intent to cause reputational harm.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions for the discoverability of not public data, stating that requests by prosecuting authorities for government data to comply with constitutional obligations are exempt from certain restrictions. It mandates that the board responsible for overseeing law enforcement must make individual peace officer data accessible to prosecuting authorities for the same purpose. The bill also emphasizes that law enforcement agencies cannot enter into confidentiality agreements that would prevent the disclosure of required data to the board, ensuring transparency in the reporting of alleged misconduct. The act is set to take effect the day following its final enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 13.03, 13.43, 626.8457