This bill aims to enhance public safety by expanding the crime of disseminating personal information to include all individuals, rather than just law enforcement officials. It introduces a new civil action for the dissemination of personal information, allowing individuals to seek damages if their personal information is shared without consent and poses an imminent threat to their safety or that of their family or household members. The bill outlines specific conditions under which a person can be held liable for such dissemination, including the requirement that the disseminator knows or should reasonably know of the threat.

Additionally, the bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 609.5151, to remove references to law enforcement officials and instead apply the law to all individuals. It establishes definitions for "family or household member" and "personal information," and specifies the types of damages that can be awarded to a prevailing plaintiff, including actual damages, civil penalties, and attorney fees. The bill also includes provisions for exceptions to liability, jurisdiction, venue, and confidentiality in filings. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2026, applying to actions and crimes occurring on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.5151