MAY 2021  

Remember to Update Your Data Inventory

In addition to requiring data access policies, Minnesota Statutes § 13.025 requires each government entity to prepare a data inventory that describes all private and confidential data it maintains and includes the name, title, and address of the entity's responsible authority. Much like the data access policies, the inventory must be updated annually and be available to the public. The data inventory can be a helpful tool for government entities when creating procedures to protect not public data. For example, the inventory could be used to describe which government employees may access certain types of private or confidential data. It is also a useful reference document for employees and the public to understand what types of data a government entity maintains. The Data Practices Office website has more information that describes the different data practices documents all government entities must create and provides an example inventory and model policies. You can also contact our office if you have any questions about reviewing and updating a data inventory. We are here to help!

Upcoming Data Practices Trainings

Intro to Data Practices Workshop on May 12

The Data Practices Office will be hosting an Intro to Data Practices remote workshop on May 12 that provides an overview about state and local governments' responsibilities under the Data Practices Act, including:

• Background on a government entity's legal duties related to government data;
• Advice on the legal requirements related to appropriate access to not public data and data breach investigations and notifications;
• Help creating or updating customized data practices policies and procedures required by law; and
• An opportunity to apply your knowledge in hands-on exercises.

This workshop will be held remotely on WebEx, and it does not require in-person attendance. The cost to attend this workshop is $125.

More information about this workshop is available on our website.

Advisory Opinion Updates

Open Meeting Law

In Advisory Opinion 21-003, a member of the public asked whether the conduct of a school board violated the Open Meeting Law when a quorum of school board members attended a meeting in person but members of the public were limited to remote attendance. The Commissioner determined that the school board did not comply with the Open Meeting Law, specifically noting that there is currently no mechanism in the Open Meeting Law to hold an in-person meeting while restricting public attendance to remote monitoring.