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. 

A comment period on the rule draft was open from May 27 to June 27. The Office did not receive any hearing requests, so the tentative hearing date has been cancelled.

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 No rule parts are proposed to be repealed.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 was published in the State Register on May 27, 2025. 

Where written comments on the proposed rule may be inspected: Comments in response to the initial request for comments or the Dual Notice can be requested from the agency contact person via the contact information listed above. 

The time during which written comments may be made: The comment period in response to the Dual Notice ended June 27, 2025.

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: The Office received zero requests for a public hearing, so the tentative hearing date has been cancelled.

The current status of the proposed rule: The Office is currently drafting the documents to be submitted to the Office of Administrative Hearings for official review. The Office anticipates submitting all documents, and posting them on this web page, in August 2025. 

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