Safe at Home rules protect participants’ addresses and services

Courts and other tribunals must protect a Safe at Home participant’s actual address and limit any required disclosure. The rules apply when a program participant’s address is protected under the Safe at Home program. A court may require disclosure only when the address is reasonably needed for an investigation, prosecution, or lawsuit and no practical alternative exists. The participant must receive notice and a chance to explain the safety risk. A criminal court must order disclosure when protecting the address would violate a defendant’s constitutional right to confront a witness. A written order must limit disclosure to what is necessary. The court must serve the order on the secretary of state, and the secretary may seek reconsideration or intervene. An address-disclosure order generally cannot be enforced until at least 30 days after it is served on the secretary of state, unless a court makes written findings that the delay would violate a defendant’s constitutional right to a speedy trial.

People and organizations must not deny services or impose different terms because someone participates in Safe at Home. The rule covers services such as housing, banking, education, and other services provided to program participants. The rule applies when a reasonable person would find that the action was motivated by Safe at Home participation rather than a legitimate business, safety, operational, or legal reason. A participant may bring a civil court action to stop the conduct. A defense is available when the action followed federal or state law in good faith or rested on a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason that would also apply to someone outside the program.

The program accepts certain guardianship applications, agencies designate Safe at Home coordinators, and state identification rules recognize an unexpired Safe at Home card. Applicants may include emancipated minors and guardians acting for eligible minors or incapacitated people; executive-branch agencies, driver’s license applicants, program participants, and court judges are also covered by the related provisions. A guardian must submit the court order showing guardianship or legal custody. An unexpired Safe at Home card may serve as one form of proof of Minnesota residence, but a card marked temporary cannot be used for that purpose. Each executive-branch agency must name a Safe at Home coordinator or have the agency head serve in that role. An act prohibited by the Safe at Home chapter is a gross misdemeanor when it causes bodily harm, unless another penalty applies. Executive-branch agencies must designate their Safe at Home coordinators by August 1, 2026. Court education must include Safe at Home information and legal proceedings involving protected addresses.