BILL NUMBER: S4586A

SPONSOR: SANDERS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the civil rights law, in relation to electronic monitor-
ing

 
PURPOSE:

This bill requires private employers who engage in monitoring or inter-
cepting electronic communications of any employee by any electronic
device or system to provide notice of such monitoring.

 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:

Section one amends the civil rights law by adding a new section 52(a).

Subdivision 1 defines for the purposes of the section the term employer,
which shall not include the state or any political subdivision of the
state.
              

Subdivision 2 requires private employers engaging in electronic monitor-
ing, which includes monitoring or otherwise intercepting telephone
conversations or transmissions, electronic mail or transmission, or
internet usage of or by the employee, by any electronic device or
system, to give prior notice to employees in writing, in an electronic
record, or in another electronic form. The notice must be acknowledged
by the employee either in writing or electronically. Employers are also
required to post the notice in a conspicuous place which is readily
accessible to employees. The notice shall contain the form of communi-
cation and/or computer usage that will be monitored, means by which
monitoring will be accomplished, frequency of monitoring, and manner in
which the information will be collected, stored, and used.

Subdivision 3 allows courts to award damages and reasonable attorneys,
fees to a prevailing plaintiff as well as afford injunctive relief
against any employer that commits or proposes to commit a violation of
this section.

Subdivision 4 authorizes the attorney general to enforce the provisions
of the section. Any employer in violation of this section shall be
subject to a maximum civil penalty of five hundred dollars for the first
offense, one thousand dollars for the second offense and three thousand
dollars for the third and each subsequent offense.  Subdivision 5: This
section does not apply to processes undertaken by employers to manage
the type or volume of incoming or outgoing electronic mail or telephone
voice mail or Internet usage for the purpose of computer system mainte-
nance and/or protection.

Section two sets forth the effective date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

Notifying employees of computer monitoring protects employee privacy by
making sure that they understand the consequences of inappropriate
internet activity. According to the American Management Agency's 2007
Electronic Monitoring and Surveillance Survey, bosses who fired employ-
ees for Internet misuse cited the two main reasons as violation of
company policy and excessive personal use. By making guidelines of
appropriate and inappropriate Internet use public, employees will be
less likely to undermine company standards. Companies will retain the
right to monitor computer usage, simply with the stipulation that
employees are informed of surveillance practices. This knowledge will
increase transparency within the organization and help to avoid lawsuits
and litigation regarding invasion of privacy. Notification of computer
surveillance will permit employees to make informed decisions about
their internet use with full knowledge of the ramifications of their
actions, while supporting companies' ability to monitor internet activ-
ity within their organization.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

2017-18: A.51 12-A - Advanced to Third Reading Calendar
2015-16: A.995 - Advanced to Third Reading Calendar; 5.7875 - Referred
to Investigations and Government Operations
2013-14: A.1 180-A - Advanced to Third Reading Calendar; S.4676 -
Referred to Codes
2011-12: A.1485-A - Ordered to Third Reading Calendar; S.5364 - Referred
to Codes
2009-10: A.3871-B - Passed Assembly; S.4755-A - Ordered to Third Reading
Calendar
2007-08: A.I1105 - Reported to Rules; 5.8178 - Referred to Labor

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become law.