Intro to Data Practices Remote Workshop
Need a primer or a refresher about state and local governments' responsibilities related to data practices? Then join us for this upcoming workshop on Tuesday, September 15, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The workshop offers:
- Background on government entities' legal duties related to government data
- Guidance 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
- An opportunity to apply your knowledge in hands-on exercises
This workshop will be held remotely on WebEx, and it will not require in-person attendance.
The cost to attend this workshop is $125 per person.
Please visit our website for more information and to register.
Law Enforcement Data Workshop hosted by the Itasca County Sheriff's Office
Wednesday, September 30, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at the Itasca County Emergency Operations Center
Need a primer or a refresher about the key provisions in Minnesota law governing law enforcement data? Then join us for this Data Practices Office workshop with the Itasca County Sheriff's Office serving as our host!
This workshop offers:
- Discussion of general legal requirements, including criminal investigative data, juvenile data, traffic accident data, body camera video data, and more
- Real-life problem solving scenarios based on actual inquiries
- Time for questions and answers about the day-to-day issues that involve law enforcement data
The Data Practices Office will be presenting the content for this workshop, and it will be held in-person at the Itasca County Emergency Operations Center, 1500 SE 7th Ave, Grand Rapids, MN.
The cost to attend this workshop is $250 per person.
Please visit our website for more information and to register.
Employees who are Public Officials
In Advisory Opinion 26-008, a government entity asked whether a specific employee was considered a "public official" for the purposes of section 13.43, subd. 2(e)(5)(iii). The employee resigned as part of a settlement agreement resolving a personnel complaint, and the entity was seeking to determine whether other data related to the complaint should become public. Section 13.43, subd. 2(f) makes all data related to a complaint public when a public official resigns while a complaint is pending or releases any legal claims as part of a settlement agreement regarding conduct that was the subject of the complaint. The Commissioner agreed with the entity that the employee was not a public official. The employee's position description made clear the employee was not a manager who had administrative oversight or similar independent leadership like other types of public officials described under section 13.43, subd. 2(e)(5)(iii).
Statement Prior to Closing Meeting
In Advisory Opinion 26-009, a member of the public asked whether a school board had provided appropriate statements on the record when closing different meetings. In the different statements, the school board chair stated the meetings would be closed on the basis of section 13D.05, subdivision 2(b) for preliminary consideration of allegations against an individual subject to the board's authority. The Commissioner determined that the statement did not meet the Open Meeting Law's requirements because the board failed to provide a particularized statement describing the subject to be discussed. The Commissioner noted that public bodies could balance concerns about employee privacy when providing the particularized statement in two different ways. First, a public body may generally describe the nature of the complaint or allegations without identifying the employee. Second, the public body may identify the employee and explain it is considering a complaint against the individual without describing the nature of the complaint.
Have questions about data practices or the Open Meeting Law? Contact us by email at info.dpo@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-296-6733. We are here to help!
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