Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Office of the Revisor of Statutes

Chapter 626

Section 626.557

Topics

Recent History

626.557 Reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults.

Subdivision 1. Public policy. The legislature declares that the public policy of this state is to protect adults who, because of physical or mental disability or dependency on institutional services, are particularly vulnerable to maltreatment; to assist in providing safe environments for vulnerable adults; and to provide safe institutional or residential services, community-based services, or living environments for vulnerable adults who have been maltreated.

In addition, it is the policy of this state to require the reporting of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults, to provide for the voluntary reporting of maltreatment of vulnerable adults, to require the investigation of the reports, and to provide protective and counseling services in appropriate cases.

Subd. 2. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

Subd. 3. Timing of report. (a) A mandated reporter who has reason to believe that a vulnerable adult is being or has been maltreated, or who has knowledge that a vulnerable adult has sustained a physical injury which is not reasonably explained shall immediately report the information to the common entry point. If an individual is a vulnerable adult solely because the individual is admitted to a facility, a mandated reporter is not required to report suspected maltreatment of the individual that occurred prior to admission, unless:

(1) the individual was admitted to the facility from another facility and the reporter has reason to believe the vulnerable adult was maltreated in the previous facility; or

(2) the reporter knows or has reason to believe that the individual is a vulnerable adult as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 21, clause (4).

(b) A person not required to report under the provisions of this section may voluntarily report as described above.

(c) Nothing in this section requires a report of known or suspected maltreatment, if the reporter knows or has reason to know that a report has been made to the common entry point.

(d) Nothing in this section shall preclude a reporter from also reporting to a law enforcement agency.

Subd. 3a. Report not required. The following events are not required to be reported under this section:

(a) A circumstance where federal law specifically prohibits a person from disclosing patient identifying information in connection with a report of suspected maltreatment, unless the vulnerable adult, or the vulnerable adult's guardian, conservator, or legal representative, has consented to disclosure in a manner which conforms to federal requirements. Facilities whose patients or residents are covered by such a federal law shall seek consent to the disclosure of suspected maltreatment from each patient or resident, or a guardian, conservator, or legal representative, upon the patient's or resident's admission to the facility. Persons who are prohibited by federal law from reporting an incident of suspected maltreatment shall immediately seek consent to make a report.

(b) Verbal or physical aggression occurring between patients, residents, or clients of a facility, or self-abusive behavior by these persons does not constitute abuse unless the behavior causes serious harm. The operator of the facility or a designee shall record incidents of aggression and self-abusive behavior to facilitate review by licensing agencies and county and local welfare agencies.

(c) Accidents as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 3.

(d) Events occurring in a facility that result from an individual's single mistake, as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 17, paragraph (c), clause (4).

(e) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a report of financial exploitation, as defined in section 626.5572, subdivision 9, solely on the basis of the transfer of money or property by gift or as compensation for services rendered.

Subd. 4. Reporting. A mandated reporter shall immediately make an oral report to the common entry point. Use of a telecommunications device for the deaf or other similar device shall be considered an oral report. The common entry point may not require written reports. To the extent possible, the report must be of sufficient content to identify the vulnerable adult, the caregiver, the nature and extent of the suspected maltreatment, any evidence of previous maltreatment, the name and address of the reporter, the time, date, and location of the incident, and any other information that the reporter believes might be helpful in investigating the suspected maltreatment. A mandated reporter may disclose not public data, as defined in section 13.02, and medical records under section 144.335, to the extent necessary to comply with this subdivision.

Subd. 4a. Internal reporting of maltreatment. (a) Each facility shall establish and enforce an ongoing written procedure in compliance with applicable licensing rules to ensure that all cases of suspected maltreatment are reported. If a facility has an internal reporting procedure, a mandated reporter may meet the reporting requirements of this section by reporting internally. However, the facility remains responsible for complying with the immediate reporting requirements of this section.

(b) A facility with an internal reporting procedure that receives an internal report by a mandated reporter shall give the mandated reporter a written notice stating whether the facility has reported the incident to the common entry point. The written notice must be provided within two working days and in a manner that protects the confidentiality of the reporter.

(c) The written response to the mandated reporter shall note that if the mandated reporter is not satisfied with the action taken by the facility on whether to report the incident to the common entry point, then the mandated reporter may report externally.

(d) A facility may not prohibit a mandated reporter from reporting externally, and a facility is prohibited from retaliating against a mandated reporter who reports an incident to the common entry point in good faith. The written notice by the facility must inform the mandated reporter of this protection from retaliatory measures by the facility against the mandated reporter for reporting externally.

Subd. 5. Immunity; protection for reporters. (a) A person who makes a good faith report is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from making the report, or from participating in the investigation, or for failure to comply fully with the reporting obligation under section 609.234 or 626.557, subdivision 7.

(b) A person employed by a lead agency or a state licensing agency who is conducting or supervising an investigation or enforcing the law in compliance with this section or any related rule or provision of law is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise result from the person's actions, if the person is acting in good faith and exercising due care.

(c) A person who knows or has reason to know a report has been made to a common entry point and who in good faith participates in an investigation of alleged maltreatment is immune from civil or criminal liability that otherwise might result from making the report, or from failure to comply with the reporting obligation or from participating in the investigation.

(d) The identity of any reporter may not be disclosed, except as provided in subdivision 12b.

Subd. 6. Falsified reports. A person or facility who intentionally makes a false report under the provisions of this section shall be liable in a civil suit for any actual damages suffered by the reported facility, person or persons and for punitive damages up to $10,000 and attorney's fees.

Subd. 7. Failure to report. A mandated reporter who negligently or intentionally fails to report is liable for damages caused by the failure. Nothing in this subdivision imposes vicarious liability for the acts or omissions of others.

Subd. 8. Evidence not privileged. No evidence regarding the maltreatment of the vulnerable adult shall be excluded in any proceeding arising out of the alleged maltreatment on the grounds of lack of competency under section 595.02.

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 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 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 in on the database.

Subd. 9a. Evaluation and referral of reports made to a 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) if the report references alleged or suspected maltreatment and there is no immediate need for adult protective services, the common entry point shall notify the appropriate lead agency as soon as possible, but in any event no longer than two working days;

(4) if the report does not reference alleged or suspected maltreatment, the common entry point may determine whether the information will be referred; and

(5) if the report contains information about a suspicious death, the common entry point shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agencies and the ombudsman established under section 245.92. Law enforcement agencies shall coordinate with the local medical examiner and the ombudsman as provided by law.

Subd. 9b. Response to reports. Law enforcement is the primary agency to conduct investigations of any incident in which there is reason to believe a crime has been committed. Law enforcement shall initiate a response immediately. If the common entry point notified a county agency for adult protective services, law enforcement shall cooperate with that county agency when both agencies are involved and shall exchange data to the extent authorized in subdivision 12b, paragraph (g). County adult protection shall initiate a response immediately. Each lead agency shall complete the investigative process for reports within its jurisdiction. Any other lead agency, county, adult protective agency, licensed facility, or law enforcement agency shall cooperate and may assist another agency upon request within the limits of its resources and expertise and shall exchange data to the extent authorized in subdivision 12b, paragraph (g). The lead agency shall obtain the results of any investigation conducted by law enforcement officials. The lead agency has the right to enter facilities and inspect and copy records as part of investigations. The lead agency has access to not public data, as defined in section 13.02, and medical records under section 144.335, that are maintained by facilities to the extent necessary to conduct its investigation. Each lead agency shall develop guidelines for prioritizing reports for investigation.

Subd. 9c. Lead agency; notifications, dispositions, and determinations. (a) Upon request of the reporter, the lead 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 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, the lead 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) The lead agency shall complete its final disposition within 60 calendar days. If the lead agency is unable to complete its final disposition within 60 calendar days, the lead 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 legal guardian, when known, if the lead 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 agency is unable to complete its final disposition by a subsequent projected completion date, the lead agency shall again notify the vulnerable adult or the vulnerable adult's legal guardian, when known if the lead 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. A lead agency's inability to complete the final disposition within 60 calendar days or by any projected completion date does not invalidate the final disposition.

(e) Within ten calendar days of completing the final disposition, the lead 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 legal guardian, if known unless the lead 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 older Minnesotans, or the ombudsman for mental health and mental retardation, as appropriate.

(f) The lead agency shall notify the vulnerable adult who is the subject of the report or the vulnerable adult's legal guardian, if known, and any person or facility determined to have maltreated a vulnerable adult, of their appeal rights under this section.

(g) The lead 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 agency may not provide investigative memoranda for inconclusive or false reports to the appropriate licensing boards unless the lead 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.

(h) In order to avoid duplication, licensing boards shall consider the findings of the lead agency in their investigations if they choose to investigate. This does not preclude licensing boards from considering other information.

(i) The lead 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.

Subd. 9d. Administrative reconsideration of the final disposition. Any individual or facility which a lead agency determines has maltreated a vulnerable adult, or the vulnerable adult or vulnerable adult's designee, regardless of the lead agency's determination, who contests the lead agency's final disposition of an allegation of maltreatment, may request the lead agency to reconsider its final disposition. The request for reconsideration must be submitted in writing to the lead agency within 15 calendar days after receipt of notice of final disposition.

If the lead agency denies the request or fails to act upon the request within 15 calendar 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.

If, as a result of the reconsideration, the lead agency changes the final disposition, it shall notify the parties specified in subdivision 9c, paragraph (d).

Subd. 9e. Education requirements. (a) The commissioners of health, human services, and public safety shall cooperate in the development of a joint program for education of lead agency investigators in the appropriate techniques for investigation of complaints of maltreatment. This program must be developed by July 1, 1996. The program must include but need not be limited to the following areas: (1) information collection and preservation; (2) analysis of facts; (3) levels of evidence; (4) conclusions based on evidence; (5) interviewing skills, including specialized training to interview people with unique needs; (6) report writing; (7) coordination and referral to other necessary agencies such as law enforcement and judicial agencies; (8) human relations and cultural diversity; (9) the dynamics of adult abuse and neglect within family systems and the appropriate methods for interviewing relatives in the course of the assessment or investigation; (10) the protective social services that are available to protect alleged victims from further abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation; (11) the methods by which lead agency investigators and law enforcement workers cooperate in conducting assessments and investigations in order to avoid duplication of efforts; and (12) data practices laws and procedures, including provisions for sharing data.

(b) The commissioners of health, human services, and public safety shall offer at least annual education to others on the requirements of this section, on how this section is implemented, and investigation techniques.

(c) The commissioner of human services, in coordination with the commissioner of public safety shall provide training for the common entry point staff as required in this subdivision and the program courses described in this subdivision, at least four times per year. At a minimum, the training shall be held twice annually in the seven-county metropolitan area and twice annually outside the seven-county metropolitan area. The commissioners shall give priority in the program areas cited in paragraph (a) to persons currently performing assessments and investigations pursuant to this section.

(d) The commissioner of public safety shall notify in writing law enforcement personnel of any new requirements under this section. The commissioner of public safety shall conduct regional training for law enforcement personnel regarding their responsibility under this section.

(e) Each lead agency investigator must complete the education program specified by this subdivision within the first 12 months of work as a lead agency investigator.

A lead agency investigator employed when these requirements take effect must complete the program within the first year after training is available or as soon as training is available.

All lead agency investigators having responsibility for investigation duties under this section must receive a minimum of eight hours of continuing education or in-service training each year specific to their duties under this section.

Subd. 10. Duties of county social service agency. (a) Upon receipt of a report from the common entry point staff, the county social service agency shall immediately assess and offer emergency and continuing protective social services for purposes of preventing further maltreatment and for safeguarding the welfare of the maltreated vulnerable adult. In cases of suspected sexual abuse, the county social service agency shall immediately arrange for and make available to the vulnerable adult appropriate medical examination and treatment. When necessary in order to protect the vulnerable adult from further harm, the county social service agency shall seek authority to remove the vulnerable adult from the situation in which the maltreatment occurred. The county social service agency may also investigate to determine whether the conditions which resulted in the reported maltreatment place other vulnerable adults in jeopardy of being maltreated and offer protective social services that are called for by its determination.

(b) County social service agencies may enter facilities and inspect and copy records as part of an investigation. The county social service agency has access to not public data, as defined in section 13.02, and medical records under section 144.335, that are maintained by facilities to the extent necessary to conduct its investigation. The inquiry is not limited to the written records of the facility, but may include every other available source of information.

(c) When necessary in order to protect a vulnerable adult from serious harm, the county social service agency shall immediately intervene on behalf of that adult to help the family, vulnerable adult, or other interested person by seeking any of the following:

(1) a restraining order or a court order for removal of the perpetrator from the residence of the vulnerable adult pursuant to section 518B.01;

(2) the appointment of a guardian or conservator pursuant to sections 525.539 to 525.6198, or guardianship or conservatorship pursuant to chapter 252A;

(3) replacement of a guardian or conservator suspected of maltreatment and appointment of a suitable person as guardian or conservator, pursuant to sections 525.539 to 525.6198; or

(4) a referral to the prosecuting attorney for possible criminal prosecution of the perpetrator under chapter 609.

The expenses of legal intervention must be paid by the county in the case of indigent persons, under section 525.703 and chapter 563.

In proceedings under sections 525.539 to 525.6198, if a suitable relative or other person is not available to petition for guardianship or conservatorship, a county employee shall present the petition with representation by the county attorney. The county shall contract with or arrange for a suitable person or organization to provide ongoing guardianship services. If the county presents evidence to the court exercising probate jurisdiction that it has made a diligent effort and no other suitable person can be found, a county employee may serve as guardian or conservator. The county shall not retaliate against the employee for any action taken on behalf of the ward or conservatee even if the action is adverse to the county's interest. Any person retaliated against in violation of this subdivision shall have a cause of action against the county and shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs of the action if the action is upheld by the court.

Subd. 10a. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

Subd. 11. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

Subd. 11a. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

Subd. 12. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

Subd. 12a. Repealed, 1983 c 273 s 8

Subd. 12b. Data management. (a) County data. In performing any of the duties of this section as a lead 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 destroy data three calendar years after date of receipt.

(b) Lead agency data. The commissioners of health and human services shall prepare an investigation memorandum for each report alleging maltreatment investigated under this section. 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 agency; and

(ix) when a lead 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) Identity of reporter. 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) Destruction of data. Notwithstanding section 138.163, data maintained under this section by the commissioners of health and human services must be destroyed under the following schedule:

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

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

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

(4) data from reports which were not investigated by a lead agency and for which there is no final disposition, two years from the date of the report.

(e) Summary of reports. The commissioners of health and human services shall each annually prepare a summary of the number and type of reports of alleged maltreatment involving licensed facilities reported under this section.

(f) Record retention policy. Each lead agency must have a record retention policy.

(g) Exchange of information. Lead 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.

(h) Completion time. Each lead agency shall keep records of the length of time it takes to complete its investigations.

(i) Notification of other affected parties. A lead agency may notify other affected parties and their authorized representative if the 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) Federal requirements. Under any notification provision of this section, where federal law specifically prohibits the disclosure of patient identifying information, a lead agency may not provide any notice unless the vulnerable adult has consented to disclosure in a manner which conforms to federal requirements.

Subd. 13. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

Subd. 14. Abuse prevention plans. (a) Each facility, except home health agencies and personal care attendant services providers, shall establish and enforce an ongoing written abuse prevention plan. The plan shall contain an assessment of the physical plant, its environment, and its population identifying factors which may encourage or permit abuse, and a statement of specific measures to be taken to minimize the risk of abuse. The plan shall comply with any rules governing the plan promulgated by the licensing agency.

(b) Each facility, including a home health care agency and personal care attendant services providers, shall develop an individual abuse prevention plan for each vulnerable adult residing there or receiving services from them. The plan shall contain an individualized assessment of the person's susceptibility to abuse, and a statement of the specific measures to be taken to minimize the risk of abuse to that person. For the purposes of this clause, the term "abuse" includes self-abuse.

Subd. 15. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

Subd. 16. Implementation authority. (a) By September 1, 1995, the attorney general and the commissioners of health and human services, in coordination with representatives of other entities that receive or investigate maltreatment reports, shall develop the common report form described in subdivision 9. The form may be used by mandated reporters, county social service agencies, law enforcement entities, licensing agencies, or ombudsman offices.

(b) The commissioners of health and human services shall as soon as possible promulgate rules necessary to implement the requirements of this section.

(c) By December 31, 1995, the commissioners of health, human services, and public safety shall develop criteria for the design of a statewide database utilizing data collected on the common intake form of the common entry point. The statewide database must be accessible to all entities required to conduct investigations under this section, and must be accessible to ombudsman and advocacy programs.

(d) By September 1, 1995, each lead agency shall develop the guidelines required in subdivision 9b.

Subd. 17. Retaliation prohibited. (a) A facility or person shall not retaliate against any person who reports in good faith suspected maltreatment pursuant to this section, or against a vulnerable adult with respect to whom a report is made, because of the report.

(b) In addition to any remedies allowed under sections 181.931 to 181.935, any facility or person which retaliates against any person because of a report of suspected maltreatment is liable to that person for actual damages, punitive damages up to $10,000, and attorney's fees.

(c) There shall be a rebuttable presumption that any adverse action, as defined below, within 90 days of a report, is retaliatory. For purposes of this clause, the term "adverse action" refers to action taken by a facility or person involved in a report against the person making the report or the person with respect to whom the report was made because of the report, and includes, but is not limited to:

(1) discharge or transfer from the facility;

(2) discharge from or termination of employment;

(3) demotion or reduction in remuneration for services;

(4) restriction or prohibition of access to the facility or its residents; or

(5) any restriction of rights set forth in section 144.651.

Subd. 18. Outreach. The commissioner of human services shall maintain an aggressive program to educate those required to report, as well as the general public, about the requirements of this section using a variety of media. The commissioner of human services shall print and make available the form developed under subdivision 9.

Subd. 19. Repealed, 1995 c 229 art 1 s 24

HIST: 1980 c 542 s 1; 1981 c 311 s 39; 1982 c 393 s 3,4; 1982 c 424 s 130; 1982 c 545 s 24; 1982 c 636 s 5,6; 1983 c 273 s 1-7; 1984 c 640 s 32; 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 1985 c 150 s 1-6; 1985 c 293 s 6,7; 1Sp1985 c 14 art 9 s 75; 1986 c 444; 1987 c 110 s 3; 1987 c 211 s 2; 1987 c 352 s 11; 1987 c 378 s 17; 1987 c 384 art 2 s 1; 1988 c 543 s 13; 1989 c 209 art 2 s 1; 1991 c 181 s 2; 1994 c 483 s 1; 1994 c 636 art 2 s 60-62; 1Sp1994 c 1 art 2 s 34; 1995 c 189 s 8; 1995 c 229 art 1 s 1-21; 1996 c 277 s 1; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 66

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes