Minnesota Government Data Practices Act

Bloomington procedures for access to government data

Friendly clerk assists couple at the City's front counter.

State and Federal laws determine the accessibility of government data.

The Minnesota Government Data Practices Act establishes a comprehensive system for compiling and distributing government data gathered by the City of Bloomington. All government data collected and maintained by the City of Bloomington is considered public unless otherwise classified by statute, temporary classification, or federal law as private or confidential with respect to data on individuals, or as non-public or protected non-public concerning data not on individuals.

This Data Practices Section is a simplified version of the approximately 200-pages that make up the Minnesota Data Practices Act and its corresponding rules. It describes the procedures for requesting access to government data gathered by the City of Bloomington and the rights of data subjects. The City recognizes its obligation to provide comprehensive accessibility to historians, genealogists and other scholars to carry out their research. The City also acknowledges the need to remain open and accountable to the public in maintenance of its files and records while protecting the privacy rights of specific individuals and continuing the orderly and efficient operation of city government.

Data classifications and access

	Data classification
Access by	On individuals	NOT on individuals*	On deceased
Anyone for any purpose	Public	Public	Public
Subjects, designees, legal entitled and government employees (Need to know)	Private	Non-public	Private
Government employees (Need to know)	Confidential	Protected non-public	Confidential
* Entities such as organizations, including partnerships, corporations, associations, etc.

Departmental contacts

City of Bloomington departments may be reached through the contact page, by writing to the specific department at 1800 W. Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington MN 55431, or by phoning 952-563-8700.

For more information, contact:

Bloomington City Attorney's Office
1800 West Old Shakopee Road, Bloomington, Minnesota 55431-3027
PH: 952-563-8753; FAX: 952-563-8520, TTY: 952-563-8740