2019 Senate Bill 611 / 2020 Public Act 315

Authorize exceptions to library patron privacy law

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 29, 2019

Introduced by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28)

To revise a law that prohibits public libraries from disclosing without the patron’s permission that an individual has been a patron, or the material a patron has borrowed or requested, unless a court has ordered it after offering the library a hearing on the order. The bill would make an exception allowing a library to turn over delinquent book returns and late fees to a collection agency, to disclose records to another library or a library cooperative for interlibrary loan purposes if needed, or to police if related to criminal activity that occurred at the library. It would also revise the lawsuit judgments of $250 authorized by current law for violations, by making the library liable for this not a specific employee.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety

Sept. 15, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Sept. 16, 2020

Amendment offered

The amendment passed by voice vote

Sept. 22, 2020

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

Sept. 22, 2020

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Dec. 1, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Dec. 15, 2020

Passed in the House 107 to 2 (details)

To revise a law that prohibits public libraries from disclosing without the patron’s permission that an individual has been a patron, or the material a patron has borrowed or requested, unless a court has ordered it after offering the library a hearing on the order. The bill would make an exception allowing a library to turn over delinquent book returns and late fees to a collection agency, to disclose records to another library or a library cooperative for interlibrary loan purposes if needed, and to police if related to criminal activity that occurred at the library. It would also revise the lawsuit judgments of $250 authorized by current law for violations, by making the library liable for this not a specific employee, unless the employee knowingly and improperly released the records.

Received in the Senate

Dec. 16, 2020

Passed in the Senate 38 to 0 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Dec. 29, 2020