Subd. 1. Interconnection.

The commissioner of public safety shall establish a criminal justice data communications network which will enable the interconnection of the criminal justice agencies within the state into a unified criminal justice information system. The commissioner of public safety is authorized to lease or purchase facilities and equipment as may be necessary to establish and maintain the data communications network.

Subd. 2. Criminal justice agency defined.

For the purposes of sections 299C.46 to 299C.49, "criminal justice agency" means an agency of the state or an agency of a political subdivision charged with detection, enforcement, prosecution, adjudication or incarceration in respect to the criminal or traffic laws of this state. This definition also includes all sites identified and licensed as a detention facility by the commissioner of corrections under section 241.021.

Subd. 2a. Noncriminal justice agency defined.

For the purposes of sections 299C.46 to 299C.49, "noncriminal justice agency" means an agency of a state or an agency of a political subdivision of a state charged with the responsibility of performing checks of state databases connected to the criminal justice data communications network.

Subd. 3. Authorized use, fee.

1. (a) The criminal justice data communications network shall be used exclusively by:

   1. (1) criminal justice agencies in connection with the performance of duties required by law;
   2. (2) agencies investigating federal security clearances of individuals for assignment or retention in federal employment with duties related to national security, as required by Public Law Number 99-1691;
   3. (3) other agencies to the extent necessary to provide for protection of the public or property in an emergency or disaster situation;
   4. (4) noncriminal justice agencies statutorily mandated, by state or national law, to conduct checks into state databases prior to disbursing licenses or providing benefits; and
   5. (5) the public authority responsible for child support enforcement in connection with the performance of its duties.
2. (b) The commissioner of public safety shall establish a monthly network access charge to be paid by each participating criminal justice agency. The network access charge shall be a standard fee established for each terminal, computer, or other equipment directly addressable by the data communications network, as follows: January 1, 1984 to December 31, 1984, $40 connect fee per month; January 1, 1985 and thereafter, $50 connect fee per month.
3. (c) The commissioner of public safety is authorized to arrange for the connection of the data communications network with the criminal justice information system of the federal government, any adjacent state, or Canada.

Subd. 4. Commissioner administers and coordinates.

The commissioner of public safety shall administer the data communications network and shall coordinate matters relating to its use by other state agencies and political subdivisions. The commissioner shall receive the assistance of the commissioner of administration on matters involving the department of administration and its information systems division. Other state department or agency heads shall assist the commissioner where necessary in the performance of the commissioner's duties under this section.

Subd. 5. Diversion program data.

Counties operating diversion programs under section 401.065 shall supply to the bureau of criminal apprehension the names of and other identifying data specified by the bureau concerning diversion program participants. Notwithstanding section 299C.11, the bureau shall maintain the names and data in the computerized criminal history system for 20 years from the date of the offense. Data maintained under this subdivision are private data.