Missouri Laws 182.817 – Disclosure of library records not required — exceptions — complaint may be ..
1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, no library, employee or agent of a library, or third party contracted by a library that receives, transmits, maintains, or stores library records shall release or disclose a library record or portion of a library record to any person or persons except:
(1) In response to a written request of the person identified in that record, according to procedures and forms giving written consent as determined by the library; or
Terms Used In Missouri Laws 182.817
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- person: may extend and be applied to bodies politic and corporate, and to partnerships and other unincorporated associations. See Missouri Laws 1.020
- Prosecute: To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government.
(2) In response to an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction upon a finding that the disclosure of such record is necessary to protect the public safety or to prosecute a crime.
2. Any person whose privacy is compromised as a result of an alleged violation of this section may file a written complaint within one hundred eighty days of the alleged violation with the office of the attorney general describing the facts surrounding the alleged violation. Such person may additionally bring a private civil action in the circuit court of the county in which the library is located to recover damages. The court may, in its discretion, award punitive damages and may award to the prevailing party attorney’s fees, based on the amount of time reasonably expended, and may provide such equitable relief as it deems necessary or proper. A prevailing respondent may be awarded attorney fees under this subsection only upon a showing that the case is without foundation.
3. Upon receipt of a complaint filed in accordance with subsection 2 of this section, the attorney general shall review each complaint and may initiate legal action if deemed appropriate.