This legislative bill, SF No 631, focuses on modifying the laws around the accessibility of criminal investigative data in Minnesota. Specifically, it defines the conditions under which such data is considered active or inactive, and how it is handled in each state:

1. Active Investigations: Data gathered during an ongoing criminal investigation is classified as confidential or protected nonpublic. This means that it cannot be publicly accessed while the investigation is still active.

2. Inactive Investigations: Once an investigation is deemed inactive, the data becomes public unless its release could potentially harm another ongoing investigation or disclose protected identities. Specific types of content (like offensive images or recordings) within these files remain private or nonpublic even if the investigation is inactive.

3. Criteria for Inactive Status:

   • The responsible agency or prosecutorial authority decides not to pursue the case further.
   • The legal timeframe to initiate charges expires, or 20 years have passed since the crime was committed, whichever is earlier.
   • All appeal rights of a convicted individual have expired or been exhausted.

4. Reactivation of Investigations: Data that was classified as inactive can become active again if the authorities decide to reopen the investigation.

5. Public Access to Active Investigation Data: During an active investigation, any individual can contest in court for the release of specific investigative data, arguing that the public benefit of disclosure outweighs any potential harm. The court reviews the disputed data privately (in camera) to make this determination.

In summary, the bill aims to balance public right to access information and the necessities of maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of ongoing criminal investigations.