This bill proposes an amendment to Minnesota Statutes 2024, Section 13.43, Subdivision 2, relating to data practices and personnel data access. Specifically, it seeks to add chief law enforcement officers to the definition of a "public official" for the purposes of public disclosure of personnel data.

Key Provisions:

1. Public Data on Employees
   The bill outlines which personnel data of government employees (current and former) are public, including:

   • Name, employee identification number (excluding Social Security numbers), salary details, pension, benefits, and reimbursements.
   • Job title, description, education, training, and prior work experience.
   • Employment start and end dates.
   • Status of complaints or charges, disciplinary actions, and related settlement agreements.
   • Work-related information (location, phone number, badge number, honors, and payroll timesheets).

2. Complaint and Disciplinary Data

   • Final Disposition: If a complaint leads to disciplinary action and reaches a final decision, the related data become public.
   • If an arbitrator reverses all aspects of disciplinary action, the data remain non-public.
   • A photograph of an employee may be used for investigative purposes.
   • Complainants may access their own statements.

3. Expanded Definition of "Public Official"
   The bill expands the definition to explicitly include chief law enforcement officers, alongside positions such as:

   • Heads of state agencies and deputies.
   • Members of appointed boards or commissions.
   • Executive or administrative heads of government departments.
   • City and county department heads, business managers, HR directors, financial officers, superintendents, and principals.

4. Public Access to Complaint Data Against Public Officials

   • All data related to complaints against a public official become public after an investigation is complete or if the official resigns or is terminated while a complaint is pending, unless releasing the data would jeopardize an active investigation or reveal confidential sources.
   • Complaints against certain employees (including chief law enforcement officers) only become public if:
     1. The complaint results in disciplinary action or resignation/termination.
     2. Potential legal claims related to the complaint are released in a settlement.

Impact:

• Increases transparency regarding complaints and disciplinary actions involving chief law enforcement officers and other public officials.
• Balances public access and privacy by restricting access to certain investigative data while ensuring accountability.
• Enhances public trust by making data about law enforcement leadership subject to the same disclosure rules as other high-ranking officials.

Next Steps:

The bill was introduced on March 3, 2025, and referred to the Judiciary and Public Safety Committee for further review.

This amendment reflects an effort to increase oversight and accountability in law enforcement leadership while ensuring public access to information about government employees.