Minnesota Senate Bill SF2241

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/6/25
• Refer: 3/6/25

Caption

Personally identifiable information sharing by government entities with federal agencies prohibition provision

Summary

SF2241 would add a new section to Minnesota Statutes chapter 13 governing data practices and limit when state and local government entities may share personally identifiable information with federal officials or agencies. The bill defines personally identifiable information broadly as government data in which an individual is or can be identified, and it generally prohibits dissemination of any data containing that information unless it is first masked or anonymized. The bill creates two exceptions to the prohibition. Government entities could still share personally identifiable information with federal officials or agencies when necessary to comply with a state statute, federal law, or a court order. The measure is effective the day after final enactment, meaning it would take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill would amend Minnesota’s government data practices law by adding a new restriction on intergovernmental data sharing with federal agencies. It would require state and local government entities to review data before release and either redact, mask, or anonymize personally identifiable information unless a legal exception applies. This could affect agencies that routinely exchange records with federal partners, including law enforcement, licensing, benefits, and regulatory agencies, by imposing a new default rule against disclosure of identifiable data.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a privacy-protection bill and likely reflects concern about safeguarding residents’ personal information from federal access. There is no committee transcript or recorded vote history provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from hearings or floor action. The available status information shows the bill was introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between privacy and government cooperation. Supporters would likely favor the bill as a way to protect personal data and limit unnecessary sharing with federal agencies, while opponents may argue it could interfere with routine information exchange, enforcement, or administrative coordination. The exceptions for compliance with state or federal law and court orders suggest an attempt to address those concerns, but the scope of the prohibition and the practical burden of masking or anonymizing data could still be debated.