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House Research Department Updated: July 2010 <br />Minnesota Government Data Practices Act: An Overview Page 2 <br /> <br /> <br />The Government Data Practices Act contains many of the statutory provisions that <br />classify government data as other than public, and thus restricts access to the data in some <br />way. The act also contains the following major features: <br /> <br />• Procedures for government agencies to follow in collecting and keeping records <br />• Procedures for individuals to follow in inspecting and copying government records <br />• Special protections for individuals who are being asked to supply information about <br />themselves, seeking to obtain records government holds on them, or wishing to <br />correct erroneous government data about themselves <br />• Procedures for getting advisory opinions on access to government data <br />• Civil and administrative remedies and criminal penalties for violating the act <br />Data and Entities Covered by the Act <br />The act applies to information in any form held by certain government agencies. <br />Data Covered All information in any form (written, computerized, on recording tape, <br />microfilm, etc.) collected, created, received, maintained, or <br />disseminated by government (Minn. Stat. § 13.02, subd. 7) <br />Entities Covered State agencies <br />The University of Minnesota and Minnesota State Colleges and <br />Universities <br />Political subdivisions <br />Statewide systems (record-keeping systems used in common by <br />multiple state agencies and/or political subdivisions) <br />Corporations and nonprofit social service agencies under contract with <br />a government entity (Minn. Stat. §§ 13.02, subd. 7; 13.05, subd. 6) <br />Entities Excluded Judicial branch data classifications and access are governed by the <br />rules of public access to records of the judicial branch, adopted by the <br />Minnesota Supreme Court (Minn. Stat. § 13.90) <br />For purposes of this act, townships located outside of the seven-county <br />metro area are not included in the definition of “political subdivision” <br />(Minn. Stat. § 13.02, subd. 11) <br />The legislature as a whole is not subject to the act, but individual <br />legislators are subject to certain provisions governing elected officials <br />and candidates for elected office