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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 28--H.F.No. 447

An act

relating to vulnerable adults; modifying provisions governing investigations, reviews, and hearings; making the crime of criminal abuse of a vulnerable adult a registrable offense under the predatory offender registration law; changing terminology; increasing the criminal penalty for assaulting a vulnerable adult; providing criminal penalties;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, sections 144.7065, subdivision 10; 243.166, subdivision 1b; 256.021; 256.045, subdivision 4; 518.165, subdivision 5; 524.5-118, subdivision 2; 609.2231, by adding a subdivision; 609.224, subdivision 2; 626.557, subdivisions 9, 9a, 9c, 9d, 12b, by adding a subdivision; 626.5571, subdivision 1; 626.5572, subdivision 13.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 144.7065, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Relation to other law; data classification.

(a) Adverse health events described in subdivisions 2 to 6 do not constitute "maltreatment," "neglect," or "a physical injury that is not reasonably explained" under section 626.556 or 626.557 and are excluded from the reporting requirements of sections 626.556 and 626.557, provided the facility makes a determination within 24 hours of the discovery of the event that this section is applicable and the facility files the reports required under this section in a timely fashion.

(b) A facility that has determined that an event described in subdivisions 2 to 6 has occurred must inform persons who are mandated reporters under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.5572, subdivision 16, of that determination. A mandated reporter otherwise required to report under section 626.556, subdivision 3, or 626.557, subdivision 3, paragraph (e), is relieved of the duty to report an event that the facility determines under paragraph (a) to be reportable under subdivisions 2 to 6.

(c) The protections and immunities applicable to voluntary reports under sections 626.556 and 626.557 are not affected by this section.

(d) Notwithstanding section 626.556, 626.557, or any other provision of Minnesota statute or rule to the contrary, deleted text begin neitherdeleted text end a lead agency under section 626.556, subdivision 3c, deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin a lead investigative agency under section new text end 626.5572, subdivision 13, the commissioner of health, deleted text begin nordeleted text end new text begin or new text end the director of the Office of Health Facility Complaints is new text begin not new text end required to conduct an investigation of or obtain or create investigative data or reports regarding an event described in subdivisions 2 to 6. If the facility satisfies the requirements described in paragraph (a), the review or investigation shall be conducted and data or reports shall be obtained or created only under sections 144.706 to 144.7069, except as permitted or required under sections 144.50 to 144.564, or as necessary to carry out the state's certification responsibility under the provisions of sections 1864 and 1867 of the Social Security Act. If a licensed health care provider reports an event to the facility required to be reported under subdivisions 2 to 6 in a timely manner, the provider's licensing board is not required to conduct an investigation of or obtain or create investigative data or reports regarding the individual reporting of the events described in subdivisions 2 to 6.

(e) Data contained in the following records are nonpublic and, to the extent they contain data on individuals, confidential data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02:

(1) reports provided to the commissioner under sections 147.155, 147A.155, 148.267, 151.301, and 153.255;

(2) event reports, findings of root cause analyses, and corrective action plans filed by a facility under this section; and

(3) records created or obtained by the commissioner in reviewing or investigating the reports, findings, and plans described in clause (2).

For purposes of the nonpublic data classification contained in this paragraph, the reporting facility shall be deemed the subject of the data.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 243.166, subdivision 1b, is amended to read:

Subd. 1b.

Registration required.

(a) A person shall register under this section if:

(1) the person was charged with or petitioned for a felony violation of or attempt to violate, or aiding, abetting, or conspiracy to commit, any of the following, and convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for that offense or another offense arising out of the same set of circumstances:

(i) murder under section 609.185, paragraph (a), clause (2);

(ii) kidnapping under section 609.25;

(iii) criminal sexual conduct under section 609.342; 609.343; 609.344; 609.345; 609.3451, subdivision 3; or 609.3453; or

(iv) indecent exposure under section 617.23, subdivision 3;

(2) the person was charged with or petitioned for a violation of, or attempt to violate, or aiding, abetting, or deleted text begin conspiracydeleted text end new text begin conspiring new text end to commit new text begin criminal abuse in violation of section 609.2325, subdivision 1, paragraph (b), new text end false imprisonment in violation of section 609.255, subdivision 2; soliciting a minor to engage in prostitution in violation of section 609.322 or 609.324; soliciting a minor to engage in sexual conduct in violation of section 609.352; using a minor in a sexual performance in violation of section 617.246; or possessing pornographic work involving a minor in violation of section 617.247, and convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for that offense or another offense arising out of the same set of circumstances;

(3) the person was sentenced as a patterned sex offender under section 609.3455, subdivision 3a; or

(4) the person was convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for, including pursuant to a court martial, violating a law of the United States, including the Uniform Code of Military Justice, similar to the offenses described in clause (1), (2), or (3).

(b) A person also shall register under this section if:

(1) the person was convicted of or adjudicated delinquent in another state for an offense that would be a violation of a law described in paragraph (a) if committed in this state;

(2) the person enters this state to reside, work, or attend school, or enters this state and remains for 14 days or longer; and

(3) ten years have not elapsed since the person was released from confinement or, if the person was not confined, since the person was convicted of or adjudicated delinquent for the offense that triggers registration, unless the person is subject to a longer registration period under the laws of another state in which the person has been convicted or adjudicated, or is subject to lifetime registration.

If a person described in this paragraph is subject to a longer registration period in another state or is subject to lifetime registration, the person shall register for that time period regardless of when the person was released from confinement, convicted, or adjudicated delinquent.

(c) A person also shall register under this section if the person was committed pursuant to a court commitment order under section 253B.185 or Minnesota Statutes 1992, section 526.10, or a similar law of another state or the United States, regardless of whether the person was convicted of any offense.

(d) A person also shall register under this section if:

(1) the person was charged with or petitioned for a felony violation or attempt to violate any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), clause (1), or a similar law of another state or the United States, or the person was charged with or petitioned for a violation of any of the offenses listed in paragraph (a), clause (2), or a similar law of another state or the United States;

(2) the person was found not guilty by reason of mental illness or mental deficiency after a trial for that offense, or found guilty but mentally ill after a trial for that offense, in states with a guilty but mentally ill verdict; and

(3) the person was committed pursuant to a court commitment order under section 253B.18 or a similar law of another state or the United States.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256.021, is amended to read:

256.021 VULNERABLE ADULT MALTREATMENT REVIEW PANEL.

Subdivision 1.

Creation.

(a) The commissioner of human services shall establish a review panel for purposes of reviewing lead new text begin investigative new text end agency determinations regarding maltreatment of a vulnerable adult in response to requests received under section 626.557, subdivision 9d, paragraph (b). The panel shall hold quarterly meetings for purposes of conducting reviews under this section.

(b) The review panel consists of:

(1) the commissioners of health and human services or their designees;

(2) the deleted text begin ombudspersondeleted text end new text begin ombudsman new text end for deleted text begin older Minnesotansdeleted text end new text begin long-term care new text end and deleted text begin ombudspersondeleted text end new text begin ombudsman new text end for mental health and developmental disabilities, or their designees; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(3) a member of the board on aging, appointed by the boarddeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (4) a representative from the county human services administrators appointed by the commissioner of human services or the administrator's designee. new text end

Subd. 2.

Review procedure.

(a) If a vulnerable adult or an interested person acting on behalf of the vulnerable adult requests a review under this section, the panel shall review the request at its next quarterly meeting. If the next quarterly meeting is within ten days of the panel's receipt of the request for review, the review may be delayed until the next subsequent meeting. The panel shall review the request and the investigation memorandum and may review any other data on the investigation maintained by the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency that are pertinent and necessary to its review of the final disposition. If more than one person requests a review under this section with respect to the same final disposition, the review panel shall combine the requests into one review.new text begin The panel shall submit its written request for the case file and other documentation relevant to the review to the supervisor of the investigator conducting the investigation under review.new text end

(b) Within 30 days of the review under this section, the panel shall notify the new text begin director or manager of the new text end lead new text begin investigative new text end agency and the vulnerable adult or interested person who requested the review as to whether the panel deleted text begin agreesdeleted text end new text begin concurs new text end with the final disposition or whether the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency must reconsider the final disposition. If the panel determines that the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency must reconsider the final disposition, the panel must make specific deleted text begin investigativedeleted text end recommendations to the new text begin director or manager of the lead investigative new text end agency. new text begin The recommendation must include an explanation of the factors that form the basis of the recommendation to reconsider the final disposition and must specifically identify the disputed facts, the disputed application of maltreatment definitions, the disputed application of responsibility for maltreatment, and the disputed weighing of evidence, whichever apply.new text end Within 30 days the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall conduct a review and report back to the panel with its determination and the specific rationale for its final disposition.new text begin At a minimum, the specific rationale must include a detailed response to each of the factors identified by the panel that formed the basis for the recommendations of the panel.new text end

new text begin (c) Upon receiving the report of reconsideration from the lead investigative agency, the panel shall communicate the decision in writing to the vulnerable adult or interested person acting on behalf of the vulnerable adult who requested the review. The panel shall include the specific rationale provided by the lead investigative agency as part of the communication. new text end

Subd. 3.

Report.

By January 15 of each year, the panel shall submit a report to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over section 626.557 regarding the number of requests for review it receives under this section, the number of cases where the panel requires the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency to reconsider its final disposition, and the number of cases where the final disposition is changed, and any recommendations to improve the review or investigative process.

Subd. 4.

Data.

Data of the review panel created new text begin or received new text end as part of a review under this section are private data on individuals as defined in section 13.02.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 256.045, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Conduct of hearings.

(a) All hearings held pursuant to subdivision 3, 3a, 3b, or 4a shall be conducted according to the provisions of the federal Social Security Act and the regulations implemented in accordance with that act to enable this state to qualify for federal grants-in-aid, and according to the rules and written policies of the commissioner of human services. County agencies shall install equipment necessary to conduct telephone hearings. A state human services referee may schedule a telephone conference hearing when the distance or time required to travel to the county agency offices will cause a delay in the issuance of an order, or to promote efficiency, or at the mutual request of the parties. Hearings may be conducted by telephone conferences unless the applicant, recipient, former recipient, person, or facility contesting maltreatment objects. The hearing shall not be held earlier than five days after filing of the required notice with the county or state agency. The state human services referee shall notify all interested persons of the time, date, and location of the hearing at least five days before the date of the hearing. Interested persons may be represented by legal counsel or other representative of their choice, including a provider of therapy services, at the hearing and may appear personally, testify and offer evidence, and examine and cross-examine witnesses. The applicant, recipient, former recipient, person, or facility contesting maltreatment shall have the opportunity to examine the contents of the case file and all documents and records to be used by the county or state agency at the hearing at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing and during the hearing. In hearings under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (8), and (9), either party may subpoena the private data relating to the investigation prepared by the agency under section 626.556 or 626.557 that is not otherwise accessible under section 13.04, provided the identity of the reporter may not be disclosed.

(b) The private data obtained by subpoena in a hearing under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4), (8), or (9), must be subject to a protective order which prohibits its disclosure for any other purpose outside the hearing provided for in this section without prior order of the district court. Disclosure without court order is punishable by a sentence of not more than 90 days imprisonment or a fine of not more than $1,000, or both. These restrictions on the use of private data do not prohibit access to the data under section 13.03, subdivision 6. Except for appeals under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (5), (8), and (9), upon request, the county agency shall provide reimbursement for transportation, child care, photocopying, medical assessment, witness fee, and other necessary and reasonable costs incurred by the applicant, recipient, or former recipient in connection with the appeal. All evidence, except that privileged by law, commonly accepted by reasonable people in the conduct of their affairs as having probative value with respect to the issues shall be submitted at the hearing and such hearing shall not be "a contested case" within the meaning of section 14.02, subdivision 3. The agency must present its evidence prior to or at the hearing, and may not submit evidence after the hearing except by agreement of the parties at the hearing, provided the petitioner has the opportunity to respond.

(c) In hearings under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clauses (4), (8), and (9), involving determinations of maltreatment or disqualification made by more than one county agency, by a county agency and a state agency, or by more than one state agency, the hearings may be consolidated into a single fair hearing upon the consent of all parties and the state human services referee.

new text begin (d) For hearings under subdivision 3, paragraph (a), clause (4) or (10), involving a vulnerable adult, the human services referee shall notify the vulnerable adult who is the subject of the maltreatment determination and, if known, a guardian of the vulnerable adult appointed under section 524.5-310, or a health care agent designated by the vulnerable adult in a health care directive that is currently effective under section 145C.06 and whose authority to make health care decisions is not suspended under section 524.5-310, of the hearing. The notice must be sent by certified mail and inform the vulnerable adult of the right to file a signed written statement in the proceedings. A guardian or health care agent who prepares or files a written statement for the vulnerable adult must indicate in the statement that the person is the vulnerable adult's guardian or health care agent and sign the statement in that capacity. The vulnerable adult, the guardian, or the health care agent may file a written statement with the human services referee hearing the case no later than five business days before commencement of the hearing. The human services referee shall include the written statement in the hearing record and consider the statement in deciding the appeal. This subdivision does not limit, prevent, or excuse the vulnerable adult from being called as a witness testifying at the hearing or grant the vulnerable adult, the guardian, or health care agent a right to participate in the proceedings or appeal the human services referee's decision in the case. The lead investigative agency must consider including the vulnerable adult victim of maltreatment as a witness in the hearing. If the lead investigative agency determines that participation in the hearing would endanger the well-being of the vulnerable adult or not be in the best interests of the vulnerable adult, the lead investigative agency shall inform the human services referee of the basis for this determination, which must be included in the final order. If the human services referee is not reasonably able to determine the address of the vulnerable adult, the guardian, or the health care agent, the human services referee is not required to send a hearing notice under this subdivision. new text end

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 518.165, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Procedure, criminal history, and maltreatment records background study.

(a) When the court requests a background study under subdivision 4, paragraph (a), the request shall be submitted to the Department of Human Services through the department's electronic online background study system.

(b) When the court requests a search of the National Criminal Records Repository, the court must provide a set of classifiable fingerprints of the subject of the study on a fingerprint card provided by the commissioner of human services.

(c) The commissioner of human services shall provide the court with criminal history data as defined in section 13.87 from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the Department of Public Safety, other criminal history data held by the commissioner of human services, and data regarding substantiated maltreatment of a minor under section 626.556, and substantiated maltreatment of a vulnerable adult under section 626.557, within 15 working days of receipt of a request. If the subject of the study has been determined by the Department of Human Services or the Department of Health to be the perpetrator of substantiated maltreatment of a minor or vulnerable adult in a licensed facility, the response must include a copy of the public portion of the investigation memorandum under section 626.556, subdivision 10f, or the public portion of the investigation memorandum under section 626.557, subdivision 12b. When the background study shows that the subject has been determined by a county adult protection or child protection agency to have been responsible for maltreatment, the court shall be informed of the county, the date of the finding, and the nature of the maltreatment that was substantiated. The commissioner shall provide the court with information from the National Criminal Records Repository within three working days of the commissioner's receipt of the data. When the commissioner finds no criminal history or substantiated maltreatment on a background study subject, the commissioner shall make these results available to the court electronically through the secure online background study system.

(d) Notwithstanding section 626.556, subdivision 10f, or 626.557, subdivision 12b, if the commissioner or county lead agency new text begin or lead investigative agency new text end has information that a person on whom a background study was previously done under this section has been determined to be a perpetrator of maltreatment of a minor or vulnerable adult, the commissioner or the county may provide this information to the court that requested the background study.

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 524.5-118, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Procedure; criminal history and maltreatment records background check.

(a) The court shall request the commissioner of human services to complete a background study under section 245C.32. The request must be accompanied by the applicable fee and the signed consent of the subject of the study authorizing the release of the data obtained to the court. If the court is requesting a search of the National Criminal Records Repository, the request must be accompanied by a set of classifiable fingerprints of the subject of the study. The fingerprints must be recorded on a fingerprint card provided by the commissioner of human services.

(b) The commissioner of human services shall provide the court with criminal history data as defined in section 13.87 from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the Department of Public Safety, other criminal history data held by the commissioner of human services, and data regarding substantiated maltreatment of vulnerable adults under section 626.557 and substantiated maltreatment of minors under section 626.556 within 15 working days of receipt of a request. If the subject of the study has been the perpetrator of substantiated maltreatment of a vulnerable adult or minor, the response must include a copy of the public portion of the investigation memorandum under section 626.557, subdivision 12b, or the public portion of the investigation memorandum under section 626.556, subdivision 10f. If the court did not request a search of the National Criminal Records Repository and information from the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension indicates that the subject is a multistate offender or that multistate offender status is undetermined, the response must include this information. The commissioner shall provide the court with information from the National Criminal Records Repository within three working days of the commissioner's receipt of the data.

(c) Notwithstanding section 626.557, subdivision 12b, or 626.556, subdivision 10f, if the commissioner of human services or a county lead agency new text begin or lead investigative agency new text end has information that a person on whom a background study was previously done under this section has been determined to be a perpetrator of maltreatment of a vulnerable adult or minor, the commissioner or the county may provide this information to the court that requested the background study. The commissioner may also provide the court with additional criminal history or substantiated maltreatment information that becomes available after the background study is done.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.2231, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Vulnerable adults. new text end

new text begin (a) As used in this subdivision, "vulnerable adult" has the meaning given in section 609.232, subdivision 11. new text end

new text begin (b) Whoever assaults and inflicts demonstrable bodily harm on a vulnerable adult, knowing or having reason to know that the person is a vulnerable adult, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 609.224, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Gross misdemeanor.

(a) Whoever violates the provisions of subdivision 1 against the same victim within ten years of a previous qualified domestic violence-related offense conviction or adjudication of delinquency is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.

(b) Whoever violates the provisions of subdivision 1 within three years of a previous qualified domestic violence-related offense conviction or adjudication of delinquency is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both.

deleted text begin (c) A caregiver, as defined in section 609.232, who is an individual and who violates the provisions of subdivision 1 against a vulnerable adult, as defined in section 609.232, is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than one year or to payment of a fine of not more than $3,000, or both. deleted text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2011, and applies to crimes committed on or after that date. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.557, subdivision 9, is amended to read:

Subd. 9.

Common entry point designation.

(a) Each county board shall designate a common entry point for reports of suspected maltreatment. Two or more county boards may jointly designate a single common entry point. The common entry point is the unit responsible for receiving the report of suspected maltreatment under this section.

(b) The common entry point must be available 24 hours per day to take calls from reporters of suspected maltreatment. The common entry point shall use a standard intake form that includes:

(1) the time and date of the report;

(2) the name, address, and telephone number of the person reporting;

(3) the time, date, and location of the incident;

(4) the names of the persons involved, including but not limited to, perpetrators, alleged victims, and witnesses;

(5) whether there was a risk of imminent danger to the alleged victim;

(6) a description of the suspected maltreatment;

(7) the disability, if any, of the alleged victim;

(8) the relationship of the alleged perpetrator to the alleged victim;

(9) whether a facility was involved and, if so, which agency licenses the facility;

(10) any action taken by the common entry point;

(11) whether law enforcement has been notified;

(12) whether the reporter wishes to receive notification of the initial and final reports; and

(13) if the report is from a facility with an internal reporting procedure, the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person who initiated the report internally.

(c) The common entry point is not required to complete each item on the form prior to dispatching the report to the appropriate new text begin lead new text end investigative agency.

(d) The common entry point shall immediately report to a law enforcement agency any incident in which there is reason to believe a crime has been committed.

(e) If a report is initially made to a law enforcement agency or a lead new text begin investigative new text end agency, those agencies shall take the report on the appropriate common entry point intake forms and immediately forward a copy to the common entry point.

(f) The common entry point staff must receive training on how to screen and dispatch reports efficiently and in accordance with this section.

(g) When a centralized database is available, the common entry point has access to the centralized database and must log the reports deleted text begin in ondeleted text end new text begin intonew text end the database.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.557, subdivision 9a, is amended to read:

Subd. 9a.

Evaluation and referral of reports made to common entry point unit.

The common entry point must screen the reports of alleged or suspected maltreatment for immediate risk and make all necessary referrals as follows:

(1) if the common entry point determines that there is an immediate need for adult protective services, the common entry point agency shall immediately notify the appropriate county agency;

(2) if the report contains suspected criminal activity against a vulnerable adult, the common entry point shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency;

(3) the common entry point shall refer all reports of alleged or suspected maltreatment to the appropriate lead new text begin investigative new text end agency as soon as possible, but in any event no longer than two working days; and

(4) if the report contains information about a suspicious death, the common entry point shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agencies, the local medical examiner, and the ombudsman new text begin for mental health and developmental disabilities new text end established under section 245.92. Law enforcement agencies shall coordinate with the local medical examiner and the ombudsman as provided by law.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.557, subdivision 9c, is amended to read:

Subd. 9c.

Lead new text begin investigative new text end agency; notifications, dispositions, determinations.

(a) Upon request of the reporter, the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall notify the reporter that it has received the report, and provide information on the initial disposition of the report within five business days of receipt of the report, provided that the notification will not endanger the vulnerable adult or hamper the investigation.

(b) Upon conclusion of every investigation it conducts, the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall make a final disposition as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 8.

(c) When determining whether the facility or individual is the responsible party for substantiated maltreatment or whether both the facility and the individual are responsible for substantiated maltreatment, the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall consider at least the following mitigating factors:

(1) whether the actions of the facility or the individual caregivers were in accordance with, and followed the terms of, an erroneous physician order, prescription, resident care plan, or directive. This is not a mitigating factor when the facility or caregiver is responsible for the issuance of the erroneous order, prescription, plan, or directive or knows or should have known of the errors and took no reasonable measures to correct the defect before administering care;

(2) the comparative responsibility between the facility, other caregivers, and requirements placed upon the employee, including but not limited to, the facility's compliance with related regulatory standards and factors such as the adequacy of facility policies and procedures, the adequacy of facility training, the adequacy of an individual's participation in the training, the adequacy of caregiver supervision, the adequacy of facility staffing levels, and a consideration of the scope of the individual employee's authority; and

(3) whether the facility or individual followed professional standards in exercising professional judgment.

(d) When substantiated maltreatment is determined to have been committed by an individual who is also the facility license holder, both the individual and the facility must be determined responsible for the maltreatment, and both the background study disqualification standards under section 245C.15, subdivision 4, and the licensing actions under section 245A.06 or 245A.07 apply.

(e) The lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall complete its final disposition within 60 calendar days. If the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency is unable to complete its final disposition within 60 calendar days, the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall notify the following persons provided that the notification will not endanger the vulnerable adult or hamper the investigation: (1) the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's deleted text begin legaldeleted text end guardiannew text begin or health care agentnew text end , when known, if the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency knows them to be aware of the investigation; and (2) the facility, where applicable. The notice shall contain the reason for the delay and the projected completion date. If the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency is unable to complete its final disposition by a subsequent projected completion date, the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall again notify the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's deleted text begin legaldeleted text end guardiannew text begin or health care agentnew text end , when known if the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency knows them to be aware of the investigation, and the facility, where applicable, of the reason for the delay and the revised projected completion date provided that the notification will not endanger the vulnerable adult or hamper the investigation. new text begin The lead investigative agency must notify the health care agent of the vulnerable adult only if the health care agent's authority to make health care decisions for the vulnerable adult is currently effective under section 145C.06 and not suspended under section 524.5-310 and the investigation relates to a duty assigned to the health care agent by the principal.new text end A lead new text begin investigative new text end agency's inability to complete the final disposition within 60 calendar days or by any projected completion date does not invalidate the final disposition.

(f) Within ten calendar days of completing the final disposition, the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall provide a copy of the public investigation memorandum under subdivision 12b, paragraph (b), clause (1), when required to be completed under this section, to the following persons: (1) the vulnerable adult, or the vulnerable adult's deleted text begin legaldeleted text end guardiannew text begin or health care agentnew text end , if knownnew text begin ,new text end unless the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency knows that the notification would endanger the well-being of the vulnerable adult; (2) the reporter, if the reporter requested notification when making the report, provided this notification would not endanger the well-being of the vulnerable adult; (3) the alleged perpetrator, if known; (4) the facility; and (5) the ombudsman for long-term care, or the ombudsman for mental health and developmental disabilities, as appropriate.

new text begin (g) If, as a result of a reconsideration, review, or hearing, the lead investigative agency changes the final disposition, or if a final disposition is changed on appeal, the lead investigative agency shall notify the parties specified in paragraph (f). new text end

deleted text begin (g)deleted text end new text begin (h) new text end The lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall notify the vulnerable adult who is the subject of the report or the vulnerable adult's deleted text begin legaldeleted text end guardiannew text begin or health care agentnew text end , if known, and any person or facility determined to have maltreated a vulnerable adult, of their appeal or review rights under this section or section 256.021.

deleted text begin (h)deleted text end new text begin (i) new text end The lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall routinely provide investigation memoranda for substantiated reports to the appropriate licensing boards. These reports must include the names of substantiated perpetrators. The lead new text begin investigative new text end agency may not provide investigative memoranda for inconclusive or false reports to the appropriate licensing boards unless the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency's investigation gives reason to believe that there may have been a violation of the applicable professional practice laws. If the investigation memorandum is provided to a licensing board, the subject of the investigation memorandum shall be notified and receive a summary of the investigative findings.

deleted text begin (i)deleted text end new text begin (j) new text end In order to avoid duplication, licensing boards shall consider the findings of the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency in their investigations if they choose to investigate. This does not preclude licensing boards from considering other information.

deleted text begin (j)deleted text end new text begin (k) new text end The lead new text begin investigative new text end agency must provide to the commissioner of human services its final dispositions, including the names of all substantiated perpetrators. The commissioner of human services shall establish records to retain the names of substantiated perpetrators.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.557, subdivision 9d, is amended to read:

Subd. 9d.

Administrative reconsideration; review panel.

(a) Except as provided under paragraph (e), any individual or facility which a lead new text begin investigative new text end agency determines has maltreated a vulnerable adult, or the vulnerable adult or an interested person acting on behalf of the vulnerable adult, regardless of the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency's determination, who contests the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency's final disposition of an allegation of maltreatment, may request the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency to reconsider its final disposition. The request for reconsideration must be submitted in writing to the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency within 15 calendar days after receipt of notice of final disposition or, if the request is made by an interested person who is not entitled to notice, within 15 days after receipt of the notice by the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's deleted text begin legaldeleted text end guardiannew text begin or health care agentnew text end . If mailed, the request for reconsideration must be postmarked and sent to the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency within 15 calendar days of the individual's or facility's receipt of the final disposition. If the request for reconsideration is made by personal service, it must be received by the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency within 15 calendar days of the individual's or facility's receipt of the final disposition. An individual who was determined to have maltreated a vulnerable adult under this section and who was disqualified on the basis of serious or recurring maltreatment under sections 245C.14 and 245C.15, may request reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and the disqualification. The request for reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and the disqualification must be submitted in writing within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification under sections 245C.16 and 245C.17. If mailed, the request for reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and the disqualification must be postmarked and sent to the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency within 30 calendar days of the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification. If the request for reconsideration is made by personal service, it must be received by the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency within 30 calendar days after the individual's receipt of the notice of disqualification.

(b) Except as provided under paragraphs (e) and (f), if the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency denies the request or fails to act upon the request within 15 working days after receiving the request for reconsideration, the person or facility entitled to a fair hearing under section 256.045, may submit to the commissioner of human services a written request for a hearing under that statute. The vulnerable adult, or an interested person acting on behalf of the vulnerable adult, may request a review by the Vulnerable Adult Maltreatment Review Panel under section 256.021 if the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency denies the request or fails to act upon the request, or if the vulnerable adult or interested person contests a reconsidered disposition. The lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall notify persons who request reconsideration of their rights under this paragraph. The request must be submitted in writing to the review panel and a copy sent to the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency within 30 calendar days of receipt of notice of a denial of a request for reconsideration or of a reconsidered disposition. The request must specifically identify the aspects of the new text begin lead investigative new text end agency determination with which the person is dissatisfied.

(c) If, as a result of a reconsideration or review, the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency changes the final disposition, it shall notify the parties specified in subdivision 9c, paragraph deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (f)new text end .

(d) For purposes of this subdivision, "interested person acting on behalf of the vulnerable adult" means a person designated in writing by the vulnerable adult to act on behalf of the vulnerable adult, or a legal guardian or conservator or other legal representative, a proxy or health care agent appointed under chapter 145B or 145C, or an individual who is related to the vulnerable adult, as defined in section 245A.02, subdivision 13.

(e) If an individual was disqualified under sections 245C.14 and 245C.15, on the basis of a determination of maltreatment, which was serious or recurring, and the individual has requested reconsideration of the maltreatment determination under paragraph (a) and reconsideration of the disqualification under sections 245C.21 to 245C.27, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination and requested reconsideration of the disqualification shall be consolidated into a single reconsideration. If reconsideration of the maltreatment determination is denied and the individual remains disqualified following a reconsideration decision, the individual may request a fair hearing under section 256.045. If an individual requests a fair hearing on the maltreatment determination and the disqualification, the scope of the fair hearing shall include both the maltreatment determination and the disqualification.

(f) If a maltreatment determination or a disqualification based on serious or recurring maltreatment is the basis for a denial of a license under section 245A.05 or a licensing sanction under section 245A.07, the license holder has the right to a contested case hearing under chapter 14 and Minnesota Rules, parts 1400.8505 to 1400.8612. As provided for under section 245A.08, the scope of the contested case hearing must include the maltreatment determination, disqualification, and licensing sanction or denial of a license. In such cases, a fair hearing must not be conducted under section 256.045. Except for family child care and child foster care, reconsideration of a maltreatment determination under this subdivision, and reconsideration of a disqualification under section 245C.22, must not be conducted when:

(1) a denial of a license under section 245A.05, or a licensing sanction under section 245A.07, is based on a determination that the license holder is responsible for maltreatment or the disqualification of a license holder based on serious or recurring maltreatment;

(2) the denial of a license or licensing sanction is issued at the same time as the maltreatment determination or disqualification; and

(3) the license holder appeals the maltreatment determination or disqualification, and denial of a license or licensing sanction.

Notwithstanding clauses (1) to (3), if the license holder appeals the maltreatment determination or disqualification, but does not appeal the denial of a license or a licensing sanction, reconsideration of the maltreatment determination shall be conducted under sections 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d, and reconsideration of the disqualification shall be conducted under section 245C.22. In such cases, a fair hearing shall also be conducted as provided under sections 245C.27, 626.556, subdivision 10i, and 626.557, subdivision 9d.

If the disqualified subject is an individual other than the license holder and upon whom a background study must be conducted under chapter 245C, the hearings of all parties may be consolidated into a single contested case hearing upon consent of all parties and the administrative law judge.

(g) Until August 1, 2002, an individual or facility that was determined by the commissioner of human services or the commissioner of health to be responsible for neglect under section 626.5572, subdivision 17, after October 1, 1995, and before August 1, 2001, that believes that the finding of neglect does not meet an amended definition of neglect may request a reconsideration of the determination of neglect. The commissioner of human services or the commissioner of health shall mail a notice to the last known address of individuals who are eligible to seek this reconsideration. The request for reconsideration must state how the established findings no longer meet the elements of the definition of neglect. The commissioner shall review the request for reconsideration and make a determination within 15 calendar days. The commissioner's decision on this reconsideration is the final agency action.

(1) For purposes of compliance with the data destruction schedule under subdivision 12b, paragraph (d), when a finding of substantiated maltreatment has been changed as a result of a reconsideration under this paragraph, the date of the original finding of a substantiated maltreatment must be used to calculate the destruction date.

(2) For purposes of any background studies under chapter 245C, when a determination of substantiated maltreatment has been changed as a result of a reconsideration under this paragraph, any prior disqualification of the individual under chapter 245C that was based on this determination of maltreatment shall be rescinded, and for future background studies under chapter 245C the commissioner must not use the previous determination of substantiated maltreatment as a basis for disqualification or as a basis for referring the individual's maltreatment history to a health-related licensing board under section 245C.31.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.557, subdivision 12b, is amended to read:

Subd. 12b.

Data management.

(a) In performing any of the duties of this section as a lead new text begin investigative new text end agency, the county social service agency shall maintain appropriate records. Data collected by the county social service agency under this section are welfare data under section 13.46. Notwithstanding section 13.46, subdivision 1, paragraph (a), data under this paragraph that are inactive investigative data on an individual who is a vendor of services are private data on individuals, as defined in section 13.02. The identity of the reporter may only be disclosed as provided in paragraph (c).

Data maintained by the common entry point are confidential data on individuals or protected nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02. Notwithstanding section 138.163, the common entry point shall maintain data for three calendar years after date of receipt and then destroy the data unless otherwise directed by federal requirements.

(b) The commissioners of health and human services shall prepare an investigation memorandum for each report alleging maltreatment investigated under this section. County social service agencies must maintain private data on individuals but are not required to prepare an investigation memorandum. During an investigation by the commissioner of health or the commissioner of human services, data collected under this section are confidential data on individuals or protected nonpublic data as defined in section 13.02. Upon completion of the investigation, the data are classified as provided in clauses (1) to (3) and paragraph (c).

(1) The investigation memorandum must contain the following data, which are public:

(i) the name of the facility investigated;

(ii) a statement of the nature of the alleged maltreatment;

(iii) pertinent information obtained from medical or other records reviewed;

(iv) the identity of the investigator;

(v) a summary of the investigation's findings;

(vi) statement of whether the report was found to be substantiated, inconclusive, false, or that no determination will be made;

(vii) a statement of any action taken by the facility;

(viii) a statement of any action taken by the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency; and

(ix) when a lead new text begin investigative new text end agency's determination has substantiated maltreatment, a statement of whether an individual, individuals, or a facility were responsible for the substantiated maltreatment, if known.

The investigation memorandum must be written in a manner which protects the identity of the reporter and of the vulnerable adult and may not contain the names or, to the extent possible, data on individuals or private data listed in clause (2).

(2) Data on individuals collected and maintained in the investigation memorandum are private data, including:

(i) the name of the vulnerable adult;

(ii) the identity of the individual alleged to be the perpetrator;

(iii) the identity of the individual substantiated as the perpetrator; and

(iv) the identity of all individuals interviewed as part of the investigation.

(3) Other data on individuals maintained as part of an investigation under this section are private data on individuals upon completion of the investigation.

(c) After the assessment or investigation is completed, the name of the reporter must be confidential. The subject of the report may compel disclosure of the name of the reporter only with the consent of the reporter or upon a written finding by a court that the report was false and there is evidence that the report was made in bad faith. This subdivision does not alter disclosure responsibilities or obligations under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, except that where the identity of the reporter is relevant to a criminal prosecution, the district court shall do an in-camera review prior to determining whether to order disclosure of the identity of the reporter.

(d) Notwithstanding section 138.163, data maintained under this section by the commissioners of health and human services must be maintained under the following schedule and then destroyed unless otherwise directed by federal requirements:

(1) data from reports determined to be false, maintained for three years after the finding was made;

(2) data from reports determined to be inconclusive, maintained for four years after the finding was made;

(3) data from reports determined to be substantiated, maintained for seven years after the finding was made; and

(4) data from reports which were not investigated by a lead new text begin investigative new text end agency and for which there is no final disposition, maintained for three years from the date of the report.

(e) The commissioners of health and human services shall each annually report to the legislature and the governor on the number and type of reports of alleged maltreatment involving licensed facilities reported under this section, the number of those requiring investigation under this section, and the resolution of those investigations. The report shall identify:

(1) whether and where backlogs of cases result in a failure to conform with statutory time frames;

(2) where adequate coverage requires additional appropriations and staffing; and

(3) any other trends that affect the safety of vulnerable adults.

(f) Each lead new text begin investigative new text end agency must have a record retention policy.

(g) Lead new text begin investigative new text end agencies, prosecuting authorities, and law enforcement agencies may exchange not public data, as defined in section 13.02, if the agency or authority requesting the data determines that the data are pertinent and necessary to the requesting agency in initiating, furthering, or completing an investigation under this section. Data collected under this section must be made available to prosecuting authorities and law enforcement officials, local county agencies, and licensing agencies investigating the alleged maltreatment under this section. The lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall exchange not public data with the vulnerable adult maltreatment review panel established in section 256.021 if the data are pertinent and necessary for a review requested under that section. new text begin Notwithstanding section 138.17, new text end upon completion of the review, not public data received by the review panel must be deleted text begin returned to the lead agencydeleted text end new text begin destroyednew text end .

(h) Each lead new text begin investigative new text end agency shall keep records of the length of time it takes to complete its investigations.

(i) A lead new text begin investigative new text end agency may notify other affected parties and their authorized representative if the new text begin lead investigative new text end agency has reason to believe maltreatment has occurred and determines the information will safeguard the well-being of the affected parties or dispel widespread rumor or unrest in the affected facility.

(j) Under any notification provision of this section, where federal law specifically prohibits the disclosure of patient identifying information, a lead new text begin investigative new text end agency may not provide any notice unless the vulnerable adult has consented to disclosure in a manner which conforms to federal requirements.

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.557, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 21. new text end

new text begin Contested case hearing. new text end

new text begin When an appeal of a lead investigative agency determination results in a contested case hearing under chapter 245A or 245C, the administrative law judge shall notify the vulnerable adult who is the subject of the maltreatment determination and, if known, a guardian of the vulnerable adult appointed under section 524.5-310, or a health care agent designated by the vulnerable adult in a health care directive that is currently effective under section 145C.06, and whose authority to make health care decisions is not suspended under section 524.5-310, of the hearing. The notice must be sent by certified mail and inform the vulnerable adult of the right to file a signed written statement in the proceedings. A guardian or health care agent who prepares or files a written statement for the vulnerable adult must indicate in the statement that the person is the vulnerable adult's guardian or health care agent and sign the statement in that capacity. The vulnerable adult, the guardian, or the health care agent may file a written statement with the administrative law judge hearing the case no later than five business days before commencement of the hearing. The administrative law judge shall include the written statement in the hearing record and consider the statement in deciding the appeal. This subdivision does not limit, prevent, or excuse the vulnerable adult from being called as a witness testifying at the hearing or grant the vulnerable adult, the guardian, or health care agent a right to participate in the proceedings or appeal the administrative law judge's decision in the case. The lead investigative agency must consider including the vulnerable adult victim of maltreatment as a witness in the hearing. If the lead investigative agency determines that participation in the hearing would endanger the well-being of the vulnerable adult or not be in the best interests of the vulnerable adult, the lead investigative agency shall inform the administrative law judge of the basis for this determination, which must be included in the final order. If the administrative law judge is not reasonably able to determine the address of the vulnerable adult, the guardian, or the health care agent, the administrative law judge is not required to send a hearing notice under this subdivision. new text end

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.5571, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Establishment of team.

A county may establish a multidisciplinary adult protection team comprised of the director of the local welfare agency or designees, the county attorney or designees, the county sheriff or designees, and representatives of health care. In addition, representatives of mental health or other appropriate human service agenciesnew text begin , representatives from local tribal governments, new text end and adult advocate groups may be added to the adult protection team.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 626.5572, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Lead new text begin investigative new text end agency.

"Lead new text begin investigative new text end agency" is the primary administrative agency responsible for investigating reports made under section 626.557.

(a) The Department of Health is the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency for deleted text begin thedeleted text end facilities deleted text begin which aredeleted text end new text begin or services new text end licensed or deleted text begin aredeleted text end required to be licensed as hospitals, home care providers, nursing homes, deleted text begin residential care homes,deleted text end boarding care homes, deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin hospice providers, new text end residential facilities that are also federally certified as intermediate care facilities that serve people with developmental disabilitiesnew text begin , or any other facility or service not listed in this subdivision that is licensed or required to be licensed by the Department of Health for the care of vulnerable adults. "Home care provider" has the meaning provided in section 144A.43, subdivision 4, and applies when care or services are delivered in the vulnerable adult's home, whether a private home or a housing with services establishment registered under chapter 144D, including those that offer assisted living services under chapter 144Gnew text end .

(b) The Department of Human Services is the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency for deleted text begin the programsdeleted text end new text begin facilities or services new text end licensed or required to be licensed as adult day care, adult foster care, programs for people with developmental disabilities, new text begin family adult day services, new text end mental health programs, deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin mental health clinics, new text end chemical deleted text begin healthdeleted text end new text begin dependency new text end programsnew text begin , the Minnesota sex offender program, or any other facility or service not listed in this subdivision that is licensed or required to be licensed by the Department of Human Servicesnew text end .

(c) The county social service agency or its designee is the lead new text begin investigative new text end agency for all other reports, includingnew text begin , but not limited to, new text end reports involving vulnerable adults receiving services from deleted text begin an unlicenseddeleted text end new text begin a new text end personal care provider organization under section 256B.0659.

Sec. 17.

new text begin REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION. new text end

new text begin The revisor of statutes shall change the terms "lead agency" and "lead agency's" to "lead investigative agency" or "lead investigative agency's" wherever they appear in Minnesota Statutes, sections 13A.02; 256.045; 626.557; and 626.5572. new text end

Presented to the governor May 16, 2011

Signed by the governor May 18, 2011, 9:34 a.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes