SEPTEMBER 2023

Need guidance about specific types of data? Check out our website!

The Data Practices Office receives many questions about how government entities must maintain and classify different types of government data. As a result, our office has developed several webpages providing guidance about the Data Practices Act requirements for data that raise the most questions. We have specific webpages about government personnel data, law enforcement data, education data, copyrighted data, and more. The guidance pages highlight information about the classifications that apply, provide links to key advisory opinions providing insight into statutory requirements, and offer practical tips for how government entities can manage these various types of data. And you can always feel free to call or email our office with your data practices questions. We are here to help!

Upcoming Data Practices Trainings

Data Practices Potpourri Webinar on September 7

The Data Practices Office will be offering a free Data Practices Potpourri webinar on Thursday, September 7 at 10 a.m. This installment will include a discussion about the top questions our office received in recent months as well as a question and answer session.

More information about this free webinar is available on our website, and you can view recordings of past webinars on our YouTube Channel.

Intro to Data Practices Remote Workshop on September 21

The Data Practices Office will be hosting a remote Intro to Data Practices workshop on Thursday, September 21 that provides an overview of 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 per person.

More information about this workshop is available on our website.

The Data Practices Office Has Moved!

In June, the Data Practices Office moved back to the Administration Building near the State Capitol as part of the Department of Administration's process to modernize its work environment.

Going forward, you can send physical correspondence to the Data Practices Office at: 200 Administration Building, 50 Sherburne Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55155.

You can also find the new address on our Contact Us webpage.

As always, the quickest way to get in touch with our office is by email at info.dpo@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-296-6733.

Advisory Opinion Updates

Data Inventory

In Advisory Opinion 23-002, a member of the public asked whether a county responded appropriately to a request for the entity’s data inventory. The county informed the member of the public that the data inventory required by Minnesota Statutes, section 13.025, subdivision did not exist. As a result, Commissioner opined that the entity did not respond appropriately to the request.