Subdivision 1. Application; definition. (a) This section applies to law enforcement agencies that maintain a portable recording system for use in investigations, or in response to emergencies, incidents, and requests for service.
(b) As used in this section:
(1) "portable recording system" means a device worn by a peace officer that is capable of both video and audio recording of the officer's activities and interactions with others or collecting digital multimedia evidence as part of an investigation;
(2) "portable recording system data" means audio or video data collected by a portable recording system; and
(3) "redact" means to blur video or distort audio so that the identity of the subject in a recording is obscured sufficiently to render the subject unidentifiable.
Subd. 2. Data classification; court-authorized disclosure. (a) Data collected by a portable recording system are private data on individuals or nonpublic data, subject to the following:
(1) data that document the discharge of a firearm by a peace officer in the course of duty, if a notice is required under section 626.553, subdivision 2, or the use of force by a peace officer that results in substantial bodily harm, as defined in section 609.02, subdivision 7a, are public;
(2) data are public if a subject of the data requests it be made accessible to the public, except that, if practicable, (i) data on a subject who is not a peace officer and who does not consent to the release must be redacted, and (ii) data on a peace officer whose identity is protected under section 13.82, subdivision 17, clause (a), must be redacted;
(3) portable recording system data that are active criminal investigative data are governed by section 13.82, subdivision 7, and portable recording system data that are inactive criminal investigative data are governed by this section;
(4) portable recording system data that are public personnel data under section 13.43, subdivision 2, clause (5), are public; and
(5) data that are not public data under other provisions of this chapter retain that classification.
(b) A law enforcement agency may redact or withhold access to portions of data that are public under this subdivision if those portions of data are clearly offensive to common sensibilities.
(c) Section 13.04, subdivision 2, does not apply to collection of data classified by this subdivision.
(d) Any person may bring an action in the district court located in the county where portable recording system data are being maintained to authorize disclosure of data that are private or nonpublic under this section or to challenge a determination under paragraph (b) to redact or withhold access to portions of data because the data are clearly offensive to common sensibilities. The person bringing the action must give notice of the action to the law enforcement agency and subjects of the data, if known. The law enforcement agency must give notice to other subjects of the data, if known, who did not receive the notice from the person bringing the action. The court may order that all or part of the data be released to the public or to the person bringing the action. In making this determination, the court shall consider whether the benefit to the person bringing the action or to the public outweighs any harm to the public, to the law enforcement agency, or to a subject of the data and, if the action is challenging a determination under paragraph (b), whether the data are clearly offensive to common sensibilities. The data in dispute must be examined by the court in camera. This paragraph does not affect the right of a defendant in a criminal proceeding to obtain access to portable recording system data under the Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Subd. 3. Retention of data. (a) Portable recording system data that are not active or inactive criminal investigative data and are not described in paragraph (b) must be maintained for at least 90 days and destroyed according to the agency's records retention schedule approved pursuant to section 138.17.
(b) Portable recording system data must be maintained for at least one year and destroyed according to the agency's records retention schedule approved pursuant to section 138.17 if:
(1) the data document (i) the discharge of a firearm by a peace officer in the course of duty if a notice is required under section 626.553, subdivision 2, or (ii) the use of force by a peace officer that results in substantial bodily harm; or
(2) a formal complaint is made against a peace officer related to the incident.
(c) If a subject of the data submits a written request to the law enforcement agency to retain the recording beyond the applicable retention period for possible evidentiary or exculpatory use related to the circumstances under which the data were collected, the law enforcement agency shall retain the recording for an additional time period requested by the subject of up to 180 days and notify the requester that the recording will then be destroyed unless a new request is made under this paragraph.
(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) or (c), a government entity may retain a recording for as long as reasonably necessary for possible evidentiary or exculpatory use related to the incident with respect to which the data were collected.
Subd. 4. Access by data subjects. (a) For purposes of this chapter, a portable recording system data subject includes the peace officer who collected the data, and any other individual or entity, including any other peace officer, regardless of whether the officer is or can be identified by the recording, whose image or voice is documented in the data.
(b) An individual who is the subject of portable recording system data has access to the data, including data on other individuals who are the subject of the recording. If the individual requests a copy of the recording, data on other individuals who do not consent to its release must be redacted from the copy. The identity and activities of an on-duty peace officer engaged in an investigation or response to an emergency, incident, or request for service may not be redacted, unless the officer's identity is subject to protection under section 13.82, subdivision 17, clause (a).
Subd. 5. Inventory of portable recording system technology. A law enforcement agency that uses a portable recording system must maintain the following information, which is public data:
(1) the total number of recording devices owned or maintained by the agency;
(2) a daily record of the total number of recording devices actually deployed and used by officers and, if applicable, the precincts in which they were used;
(3) the policies and procedures for use of portable recording systems required by section 626.8473; and
(4) the total amount of recorded audio and video data collected by the portable recording system and maintained by the agency, the agency's retention schedule for the data, and the agency's procedures for destruction of the data.
Subd. 6. Use of agency-issued portable recording systems. While on duty, a peace officer may only use a portable recording system issued and maintained by the officer's agency in documenting the officer's activities.
Subd. 7. Authorization to access data. (a) A law enforcement agency must comply with sections 13.05, subdivision 5, and 13.055 in the operation of portable recording systems and in maintaining portable recording system data.
(b) The responsible authority for a law enforcement agency must establish written procedures to ensure that law enforcement personnel have access to the portable recording system data that are not public only if authorized in writing by the chief of police, sheriff, or head of the law enforcement agency, or their designee, to obtain access to the data for a legitimate, specified law enforcement purpose.
Subd. 8. Sharing among agencies. (a) Portable recording system data that are not public may only be shared with or disseminated to another law enforcement agency, a government entity, or a federal agency upon meeting the standards for requesting access to data as provided in subdivision 7.
(b) If data collected by a portable recording system are shared with another state or local law enforcement agency under this subdivision, the agency that receives the data must comply with all data classification, destruction, and security requirements of this section.
(c) Portable recording system data may not be shared with, disseminated to, sold to, or traded with any other individual or entity unless explicitly authorized by this section or other applicable law.
Subd. 9. Biennial audit. (a) A law enforcement agency must maintain records showing the date and time portable recording system data were collected and the applicable classification of the data. The law enforcement agency shall arrange for an independent, biennial audit of the data to determine whether data are appropriately classified according to this section, how the data are used, and whether the data are destroyed as required under this section, and to verify compliance with subdivisions 7 and 8. If the governing body with jurisdiction over the budget of the agency determines that the agency is not complying with this section or other applicable law, the governing body may order additional independent audits. Data in the records required under this paragraph are classified as provided in subdivision 2.
(b) The results of the audit are public, except for data that are otherwise classified under law. The governing body with jurisdiction over the budget of the law enforcement agency shall review the results of the audit. If the governing body determines that there is a pattern of substantial noncompliance with this section, the governing body must order that operation of all portable recording systems be suspended until the governing body has authorized the agency to reinstate their use. An order of suspension under this paragraph may only be made following review of the results of the audit and review of the applicable provisions of this chapter, and after providing the agency and members of the public a reasonable opportunity to respond to the audit's findings in a public meeting.
(c) A report summarizing the results of each audit must be provided to the governing body with jurisdiction over the budget of the law enforcement agency, to the Legislative Commission on Data Practices and Personal Data Privacy, and to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees of the house of representatives and the senate with jurisdiction over data practices and public safety issues no later than 60 days following completion of the audit.
Subd. 10. Notification to BCA. Within ten days of obtaining new surveillance technology that expands the type or scope of surveillance capability of a portable recording system device beyond video or audio recording, a law enforcement agency must notify the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that it has obtained the new surveillance technology. The notice must include a description of the technology and its surveillance capability and intended uses. The notices are accessible to the public and must be available on the bureau's website.
Subd. 11. Portable recording system vendor. (a) For purposes of this subdivision, "portable recording system vendor" means a person who is not a government entity and who provides services for the creation, collection, retention, maintenance, processing, or dissemination of portable recording system data for a law enforcement agency or other government entity. By providing these services to a government entity, a vendor is subject to all of the requirements of this chapter as if it were a government entity.
(b) A portable recording system vendor that stores portable recording system data in the cloud must protect the data in accordance with the security requirements of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Justice Information Services Division Security Policy 5.4 or its successor version.
(c) Subject to paragraph (d), in an action against a vendor under section 13.08 for a violation of this chapter, the vendor is liable for presumed damages of $2,500 or actual damages, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees.
(d) In an action against a vendor that improperly discloses data made not public by this chapter or any other statute classifying data as not public, the vendor is liable for presumed damages of $10,000 or actual damages, whichever is greater, and reasonable attorney fees.
Subd. 12. Penalties for violation. In addition to any other remedies provided by law, in the case of a willful violation of this section a law enforcement agency is subject to exemplary damages of not less than twice the minimum, nor more than twice the maximum allowable for exemplary damages under section 13.08, subdivision 1.
2016 c 171 s 5; 1Sp2021 c 11 art 3 s 5
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 13 - 13C — Data Practices
Chapter 13 — Government Data Practices
Section 13.01 — Government Data.
Section 13.025 — Government Entity Obligation.
Section 13.03 — Access To Government Data.
Section 13.04 — Rights Of Subjects Of Data.
Section 13.045 — Safe At Home Program Participant Data.
Section 13.05 — Duties Of Responsible Authority.
Section 13.055 — Disclosure Of Breach In Security; Notification And Investigation Report Required.
Section 13.06 — Temporary Classification.
Section 13.07 — Duties Of Commissioner; Rules.
Section 13.072 — Opinions By The Commissioner.
Section 13.073 — Public Information Policy Training Program.
Section 13.08 — Civil Remedies.
Section 13.085 — Administrative Remedy.
Section 13.10 — Data On Decedents.
Section 13.15 — Computer Data.
Section 13.201 — Rideshare Data.
Section 13.202 — Political Subdivision Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.203 — Service Cooperative Claims Data.
Section 13.319 — Education Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.32 — Educational Data.
Section 13.321 — Prekindergarten To Grade 12 Educational Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.3215 — University Of Minnesota Data.
Section 13.322 — Postsecondary Education Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.34 — Examination Data.
Section 13.35 — Federal Contracts Data.
Section 13.355 — Social Security Numbers.
Section 13.356 — Personal Contact And Online Account Information.
Section 13.37 — General Nonpublic Data.
Section 13.3805 — Public Health Data.
Section 13.3806 — Public Health Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.381 — Health Regulatory Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.383 — Health Occupations Investigative Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.384 — Medical Data.
Section 13.386 — Treatment Of Genetic Information Held By Government Entities And Other Persons.
Section 13.387 — Health Care Contract Data.
Section 13.39 — Civil Investigation.
Section 13.392 — Internal Auditing Data.
Section 13.40 — Library And Historical Data.
Section 13.401 — Library And Historical Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.41 — Licensing Data.
Section 13.411 — Licensing Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.43 — Personnel Data.
Section 13.435 — Salary Benefit Survey Data.
Section 13.44 — Property Data.
Section 13.441 — Property Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.461 — Human Services Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.462 — Benefit Data.
Section 13.463 — Education Support Services Data.
Section 13.465 — Family And Domestic Relations Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.467 — Foster Care Data.
Section 13.47 — Employment And Training Data.
Section 13.485 — Corporation Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.487 — Trade Regulation And Consumer Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.495 — Lodging Tax Data.
Section 13.4961 — General Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.4963 — Classification And Disclosure Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.4965 — Property Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.4967 — Other Tax Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.51 — Assessor's Data.
Section 13.52 — Deferred Assessment Data.
Section 13.548 — Social Recreational Data.
Section 13.55 — Convention Center Data.
Section 13.552 — Human Rights Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.585 — Housing Agency Data.
Section 13.586 — Housing Agency Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.587 — Emergency Services For Homeless Persons; Private Data.
Section 13.59 — Housing And Redevelopment Data.
Section 13.591 — Business Data.
Section 13.598 — Employment And Economic Development Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.601 — Elected And Appointed Officials.
Section 13.602 — Elected And Appointed Official Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.605 — Legislative Data.
Section 13.606 — Legislative Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.607 — Campaign Finance, Public Disclosure, And Election Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.63 — Retirement Data.
Section 13.631 — Retirement Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.632 — Teachers Retirement Fund Association Data; Certain Cities.
Section 13.635 — General State Agency Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.64 — Administration; Management And Budget Data.
Section 13.6401 — Administration And Management And Budget Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.643 — Agricultural Data.
Section 13.6435 — Agricultural Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.65 — Attorney General Data.
Section 13.67 — Employee Relations Data.
Section 13.6705 — Employee Relations Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.679 — Public Utility Data.
Section 13.68 — Energy And Financial Data And Statistics.
Section 13.681 — Energy And Utilities Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.685 — Municipal Utility Customer Data.
Section 13.69 — Public Safety Department Data.
Section 13.6905 — Public Safety Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.711 — Department Of Commerce Data; Release Of Complaint To Respondent.
Section 13.712 — Commerce Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.713 — Banking Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.714 — Insurance Trust Data; Private And Nonpublic Data.
Section 13.715 — General Insurance Powers Data; Surplus Line Insurance.
Section 13.716 — General Insurance Powers Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.717 — Insurance; Health Care Cost Containment Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.719 — Miscellaneous Insurance Data.
Section 13.7191 — Miscellaneous Insurance Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.72 — Transportation Department Data.
Section 13.721 — Transportation Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.741 — Pollution Control; Environmental Quality Data.
Section 13.7411 — Pollution Control And Environmental Quality Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.745 — Pari-mutuel Horse Racing Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.746 — Gaming Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.785 — Veterans Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.79 — Department Of Labor And Industry Data.
Section 13.7905 — Labor And Industry Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.7908 — Bureau Of Mediation Services Data.
Section 13.791 — Rehabilitation Data.
Section 13.7911 — Bioprocess Piping And Equipment Data.
Section 13.792 — Private Donor Gift Data.
Section 13.793 — Natural Resource Data; Mineral Data.
Section 13.7931 — Natural Resource Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.7932 — Logger Safety And Education Program Data.
Section 13.80 — Domestic Abuse Data.
Section 13.805 — Address Confidentiality Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.82 — Comprehensive Law Enforcement Data.
Section 13.821 — Videotapes Of Child Abuse Victims.
Section 13.822 — Sexual Assault Data.
Section 13.823 — Domestic Abuse Or Sexual Assault Programs.
Section 13.824 — Automated License Plate Readers.
Section 13.825 — Portable Recording Systems.
Section 13.83 — Medical Examiner Data.
Section 13.84 — Court Services Data.
Section 13.841 — Court Services Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.85 — Corrections And Detention Data.
Section 13.851 — Corrections And Detention Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.854 — Release Of Arrested, Detained, Or Confined Person; Automated Notification Service.
Section 13.856 — Ombudsperson For Corrections; Data.
Section 13.86 — Investigative Detention Data.
Section 13.861 — Security Service Data.
Section 13.87 — Criminal Justice Data.
Section 13.871 — Criminal Justice Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.873 — Integrated Search Service Data Subject Access.
Section 13.875 — Juvenile Justice Data Coded Elsewhere.
Section 13.876 — Foster Youth Ombudsperson; Data.
Section 13.88 — Community Dispute Resolution Center Data.
Section 13.89 — Dissemination Of Data To Protection And Advocacy Systems.