Safe at Home Rulemaking

Proposed Permanent Rules Relating to the Safe at Home Program;
Revisor’s ID Number R-4825; OAH Docket No. 28-9019-39642;
Minnesota Rules Chapter 8290 

The Office of the Secretary of State is proposing amendments to rules governing the address confidentiality programs of the Safe at Home Division. This page contains public information about this rulemaking project as required by Minnesota Statutes, section 14.366. 

Comments on the rule draft will be accepted in writing from May 27 to June 27 at 4:30 pm. To submit a comment, please visit the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page. Comments may also be submitted by U.S. Mail delivered to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 600 North Robert Street, P.O. Box 64620, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55164-0620, or by fax 651-539-0310. 

Documents available: 

• Current rule draft: [PDF] 
• Statement of Need and Reasonableness: [PDF]
• Dual Notice (also published in the State Register on May 27): [PDF] 

Agency contact person:  

     Lauren Bethke, Deputy General Counsel
     lauren.bethke@state.mn.us
     651-201-1326 

Subject matter of the proposed rule: The proposed rules are about the Safe at Home address confidentiality program. In particular, the proposed rules modify language related to the application process and contents; qualifications of application assistants; emergency situations; safety planning; mail holds; service of process; certification continuance; enrollment of minor children; signature verification; transfer of school records; the cancellation, withdrawal, and expiration processes; and voting procedures. The majority of the proposed changes are technical or clarifying in nature or are to conform the rules with Minnesota Statutes. No rule parts are proposed to be repealed. 

Citation to all published notices relating to the proceeding: The initial request for comments was published in the State Register on December 18, 2023. The Dual Notice will be published in the State Register on May 27, 2025, and is linked above. 

Where written comments on the proposed rule may be inspected: Comments in response to the initial request for comments can be requested from the agency contact person via the contact information listed above. Comments in response to the Dual Notice can be found on the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page starting on May 27. 

The time during which written comments may be made: Written comments in response to the Dual Notice may be made from May 27 to June 27 at 4:30 pm, via the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page. Comments may also be submitted by U.S. Mail delivered to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 600 North Robert Street, P.O. Box 64620, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55164-0620, or by fax 651-539-0310. 

The names of persons who have made written requests for a public hearing, where those requests may be inspected, and where and when the hearing will be held: If 25 or more people make written requests for a public hearing, a hearing will be held via Webex at 12:00 pm on July 15. More information can be found in the Dual Notice, linked above. All comments in response to the Dual Notice, including requests for a public hearing, can be found on the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page starting on May 27. 

The current status of the proposed rule: Written comments are being accepted from May 27 to June 27, 2024, at 4:30 pm. To submit a comment, please visit the Office of Administrative Hearing’s eComments page. Comments may also be submitted by U.S. Mail delivered to the Office of Administrative Hearings, 600 North Robert Street, P.O. Box 64620, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55164-0620, or by fax 651-539-0310. 

Any known timetable for agency decisions or other action in this proceeding: There are currently no anticipated agency decisions or other actions relating to this proceeding. 

The date of the rule’s adoption: Not yet available 

The date the rule was filed with the Secretary of State: Not yet available 

When the rule will become effective: Not yet available