This bill aims to prohibit government entities in Minnesota from requesting or obtaining reverse-location information and reverse-keyword data, which involves identifying individuals based on their online searches or location data. It establishes that no government entity can seek a court order for such data, nor can they use or enforce any existing orders related to reverse-location or reverse-keyword information, except in cases of a declared sudden emergency. Additionally, any evidence obtained in violation of this prohibition would be inadmissible in legal proceedings.
Furthermore, the bill provides a civil cause of action for individuals whose identifying information is obtained by a government entity in violation of these provisions. Affected individuals must be notified of the violation and can seek damages, including $1,000 per violation or actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The bill also outlines the legal recourse available to individuals, allowing them to file actions in their county of residence or where the government entity is located.