Minnesota Senate Bill SF4200

Minnesota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/24
• Refer: 2/26/24
• Report Pass: 4/15/24
• Refer: 4/15/24

Caption

Certain personal information of justices, judges, and judicial staff as private data on individuals designation; dissemination of personal information restriction

Impact

If enacted, SF4200 would amend existing laws concerning personal data visibility within the legal framework, particularly focusing on the protection of judicial roles. This modification to state laws would establish clearer guidelines around what constitutes private information for judges and other related legal staff. By implementing these protections, the bill aims to foster a safer environment for judicial figures, ultimately reinforcing the independence of the judiciary by mitigating external pressures that could arise from public availability of sensitive information.

Summary

SF4200 aims to designate certain personal information pertaining to justices, judges, and judicial staff as private data, thereby restricting its dissemination. This bill seeks to enhance the privacy and security of individuals working within the judicial system by ensuring that sensitive information, such as home addresses and contact details, cannot be publicly disclosed without proper justification. As a result, the measure intends to safeguard judicial personnel from potential harassment and threats, which have been increasingly prevalent in today's climate of heightened political and social unrest.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its intentions to protect judicial personnel, some members of the legislature have raised concerns regarding the potential implications for transparency in the judiciary system. Critics argue that overly stringent privacy measures may lead to decreased accountability and public oversight of judicial actions. They emphasize the need to balance the necessity of protecting individual privacy against the principles of an open and transparent legal system. The discussion surrounding SF4200 has highlighted the ongoing debate around privacy, security, and public access to information within state law.