RULE 15
            DATA DISSEMINATION OF COMPUTER-BASED
                     COURT INFORMATION

    It is declared to be the policy of the courts to facilitate public
access to court records, provided such disclosures in no way present an
unreasonable invasion of personal privacy and will not be unduly burdensome
to the ongoing business of the courts.
    Due to the confidential nature of some court information, authority
over the dissemination of such information shall be exercised by the
judicial branch. This rule establishes the minimum criteria to be met by
each information request before allowing dissemination.
    (a) Application. This rule applies to all requests for computer-based
court information submitted by an individual, as well as public and private
associations and agencies. This rule does not apply to requests initiated
by or with the consent of the Administrator for the Courts for the purpose
of answering a request vital to the internal business of the courts.
    (b) Excluded Information. Records sealed, exempted, or otherwise
restricted by law or court rule may not be released to the general public
except by court order.
    (c) Data Dissemination Committee. Rescinded.
    (d) Data Dissemination Policies and Procedures. The Administrator for
the Courts shall promulgate policies and procedures for handling
applications for computer-based information. These policies and procedures
shall be subject to the approval of the Judicial Information System
Committee.
    (e) Information for Release of Data. Information which must be supplied
by the requestor and upon which evaluation will be made includes:
    (1) Identifying information concerning the applicant;
    (2) Statement of the intended use and distribution;
    (3) Type of information needed.
    (f) Criteria To Determine Release of Data. The criteria against which
the applications are evaluated are as follows:
    (1) Availability of data;
    (2) Specificity of the request;
    (3) Potential for infringement of personal privacy created by release
of the information requested;
    (4) Potential disruption to the internal, ongoing business of the
courts.
    (g) Cost. The requestor shall bear the cost of honoring the request for
information in accordance with section (d).
    (h) Appeal. If a request is denied by the Administrator for the Courts,
the requestor may appeal the decision to the Judicial Information System
Committee in accordance with section (d). The Judicial Information System
Committee shall review and act upon the appeal in accordance with
procedures promulgated by the Committee for this purpose.

[Adopted effective March 20, 1981; amended effective July 1, 1987.]