MN HF4954

Grants ombudspersons and their designees (excluding volunteers) direct access in their own offices to the social service information system to perform their duties, including confidential and private data on individuals.

Allows ombudspersons to access confidential and private data under chapter 13 or other law without prior authorization, but requires individual consent when data concerns a specific person unless the individual is unable to consent and has no parent or legal guardian.

Requires ombudspersons and designees to comply with the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act and prohibits dissemination of private or confidential data unless specifically authorized by state, local, or federal law or court order.

Applies access provisions to four statutory sections: the ombudsperson office (section 3.9215), long-term care ombudsman (section 245.975), ombudsperson for families (section 257.0762), and child protection ombudsperson (section 260C.82).

Requires the commissioner and county agencies to provide family child care ombudspersons with copies of all fix-it tickets, correction orders, and licensing actions issued to family child care providers.