[ST. PAUL, MN] – Today, Governor Tim Walz signed /governor/assets/EO%2020-34%20Final%20Filed_tcm1055-427897.pdfExecutive Order 20-34 to help protect Minnesota’s first responders by sharing information between the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), and 911 Dispatchers and first responders. The Executive Order directs the Commissioner of Health to develop protocol for the sharing of information while safeguarding patient privacy.

First responders keep Minnesotans and their communities safe and help ensure that critical services continue to be provided—and it is imperative to protect their health and safety. To this end, limited information—the addresses where a positive COVID-19 case has been identified and is still contagious—can be disclosed via DPS to Public Safety Answering Point (911) dispatchers and first responders in a very limited fashion.

In compliance with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, which protects private data, there are strict prohibitions against inappropriately sharing this information beyond those who have an emergent need to know it, and the Executive Order contains safeguards to prevent abuse of this data.

This Executive Order is effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.