Minnesota House Bill HF1578

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/26/25
• Refer: 2/26/25

Caption

Public dissemination of personal information about county attorneys and employees in county attorney offices restricted.

Impact

The bill will amend Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 480.40, by providing clearer definitions of what constitutes personal information related to judicial officials, including county attorneys. By limiting access to such information, the legislation aims to protect these officials from harassment or harm which could arise from public exposure. The bill's enactment would mean heightened security and privacy considerations within the legal profession, possibly influencing the operational protocols of county attorneys' offices.

Summary

House File 1578 aims to enhance the privacy protections for county attorneys and employees in county attorney offices by restricting the public dissemination of their personal information. The bill specifically targets various types of personal data, including residential addresses and contact information, ensuring that these details remain confidential unless they are already publicly available. The intention behind this legislation is to create a safer working environment for legal professionals who may be exposed to threats due to their positions.

Contention

While the bill primarily aims to safeguard the personal information of those in the judicial system, there may be some contention regarding the balance between public transparency and personal safety. Advocates of the bill argue that the protection of county attorneys' personal information is vital for their security, while opponents may raise concerns about the potential for reduced transparency in the judicial process. Questions may also arise regarding how the definition of publicly available information is interpreted and applied within various contexts.