Restorative practices statements and documents inadmissibility in civil and criminal proceedings establishment and data classification provision

More privacy for restorative justice participants

Minnesota law protects people attending restorative justice gatherings, where people work together to address and repair harm. Participants include facilitators, people harmed, people who caused harm, and others attending. Personal information collected or created to support participation is confidential. Participants’ statements and actions during registration, preparation, the gathering, and follow-up are also protected. These materials cannot be obtained through legal discovery or used in court or agency hearings, subject to listed exceptions. Government-held participant data are private, limiting public access. Participants can share their own information, statements, or actions and authorize others to disclose them. Organizers can share summaries that do not identify people and information needed to show compliance with court-ordered participation. Required abuse reporting still applies, and evidence otherwise allowed remains usable or available through discovery. Disclosures are also allowed to prevent death, serious bodily harm, or a crime, or report professional violations or abuse related to the practice.