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About Search Results
The advisory opinion library currently includes:
- Data practices advisory opinions issued by the Commissioner of Administration from 1993 to the present.
- Open Meeting Law advisory opinions issued by the Commissioner of Administration from 2003 to the present.
The Commissioner's authority is found in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.072. Opinions are nonbinding, but a court may give them deference in a court action. Parties to a court action that act in conformity with an advisory opinion are not liable for certain damages or attorneys fees.
A written, numbered, and published opinion issued by the attorney general shall take precedence over an advisory opinion issued by the Commissioner of Administration.
Results 1 - 10 of 10
Advisory Opinion 14-009
July 18, 2014; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Note: In 2023, the legislature amended Minnesota Statutes section 13.32, subdivision 5, to limit what data may be designated as directory or limited directory ...
Description: An educational entity asked whether it
could designate limited directory information as
described in the federal Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act’s (FERPA) regulations consistent with Chapter
13. Educational entities can designate limited directory
information and the federal government affords greater
privacy protection to limited directory information such
that access could be restricted to specific parties, for
specific purposes, or both.
Category: Educational data
Keywords: Educational data, Limited directory information
Commissioner: Spencer Cronk
Advisory Opinion 09-021
September 14, 2009; University of Minnesota
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Did the University of Minnesota comply with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, in denying access to data contained in the applications of students who apply for the University’s Student Services Fee Committee?
Category: Educational data
Keywords: Educational data, Directory information
Commissioner: Sheila M. Reger
Advisory Opinion 04-065
October 18, 2004; School District 832 (Mahtomedi)
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Did Independent School District 832, Mahtomedi, comply with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, when it denied access to certain directory information about a student's parents?
Category: Educational data
Keywords: Educational data, Directory information, Parent data
Commissioner: Kent Allin Acting
Advisory Opinion 04-024
April 14, 2004; School District 77 (Mankato)
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, did School District 77, Mankato, comply with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, in publishing certain data about a student in a yearbook?
Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, did School District 77, Mankato, comply with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, by responding to a July 2, 2003, request for data by providing its website address?
Category: Copy costs, Educational data, Electronic data, Electronic data, Legislative authority and intent
Keywords: Copy costs, Educational data, Electronic data, Electronic data, Legislative authority and intent, Directory information, FERPA (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act), Photos, videotapes, Special education/students with disabilities/IDEA, Enhanced data, Remote access, Electronic files, website
Commissioner: Brian J. Lamb
Advisory Opinion 04-013
March 10, 2004; School District 2835 (Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton)
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Has Independent School District 2835, Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, complied with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, in its determination regarding a November 20, 2003, request for access to directory information?
Category: Educational data, Requests for data
Keywords: Educational data, Requests for data, Denial of access to data – authority required (13.03, subd. 3(f)), Charter schools, Directory information, Pupil census data, Student, defined, Reason/justify request and identity not required (13.05, subd. 12)
Commissioner: Brian J. Lamb
Advisory Opinion 04-012
March 10, 2004; School District 2168 (New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva)
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Has Independent School District 2168, New Richland-Hartland-Ellendale-Geneva, complied with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13, in its determination regarding a November 20, 2003, request for access to directory information?
Category: Educational data
Keywords: Educational data, Directory information, Pupil census data, Student, defined
Commissioner: Brian J. Lamb
Advisory Opinion 01-078
September 28, 2001; School District 279 (Osseo)
Note: In 2015, Congress amended federal provisions related to military recruiters' access to student information. 20 U.S.C. section 7908 requires local educational ...
Description: Since Minnesota Statutes section 13.32, subdivision 5a mandates the release of data regardless of whether it is designated as "directory information" by the School Board's policy, is a School District obligated to respond to a request for data under this provision at all and, if so, to what extent?
Category: Educational data, Legislative authority and intent
Keywords: Educational data, Legislative authority and intent, Directory information, FERPA (Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act), Military recruiters, Authority to regulate data practices, Educational data
Commissioner: David F. Fisher
Advisory Opinion 96-015
March 29, 1996; School District 001 (Minneapolis)
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Are the first and last names of Minneapolis Public School students public data?
Are the first and last names of the parents/legal guardians of Minneapolis Public School students public data?
Category: Educational data
Keywords: Educational data, Directory information
Commissioner: Elaine S. Hansen
Advisory Opinion 96-011
March 6, 1996; Minnesota Department of Human Services
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 13.05, subdivision 4, and Minnesota Rules Part 1205.1300, how may DHS use and/or disseminate the data which relate to K's commitment as a minor, contained on the "master index file card"?
How may DHS use and/or disseminate the data, including K's Social Security Number, which relate to K's voluntary hospitalizations/treatment in 1982 and 1983, contained on the "master index file card," if those data were collected from K without proper notice, pursuant to Section 13.04, subdivision 2?
Category: Data subjects, Educational data, Law enforcement data, Legislative authority and intent, Tennessen warning, Welfare data
Keywords: Data subjects, Educational data, Law enforcement data, Legislative authority and intent, Tennessen warning, Welfare data, Classification at time of request, controls access (13.03, subd. 9), Commitment pre-petition screening, Firearms background check, Authority to regulate data practices, Limitation on collection and use of private/confidential data (13.05, subd. 4), Tennessen warning notice (13.04, subd. 2), State hospital directory information
Commissioner: Elaine S. Hansen
Advisory Opinion 96-007
February 5, 1996; School District 834 (Stillwater)
This is an opinion of the Commissioner of Administration issued pursuant to section 13.072 of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 13 - the Minnesota Government Data ...
Description: Are the first and last names of Stillwater Public School ninth grade (1995 school year) students and their parents/legal guardians public data?
Is a school district required, by Chapter 13, to provide requested data in a format specified by the requestor?
Category: Educational data
Keywords: Educational data, Directory information
Commissioner: Elaine S. Hansen