The short version
- A mandated reporter who has reason to believe a vulnerable adult is being or has been maltreated "shall immediately report the information to the common entry point" (626.557, subd. 3(a)).
- MDH's provider guidance directs adult reports to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at (844) 880-1574 (toll free), and says mandated reporters may also use the online reporting system.
- You may take reports internally first, but the facility remains responsible for making sure the report is made immediately (subd. 4a(a)).
- Reports about people under 18 do not go to MAARC. MDH says they go to county child protection.
The statute itself says "common entry point" and does not use the name MAARC. The MAARC name and number come from MDH's page for licensed providers, last updated 06/26/2026.
Who has to report
"Mandated reporter" is defined in 626.5572, subd. 16 as a professional or the professional's delegate while engaged in several categories of work. They include the care of vulnerable adults, and employees or persons providing services in a facility.
"Facility" (626.5572, subd. 6(a)) includes an assisted living facility required to be licensed under chapter 144G and a facility or service required to be licensed under chapter 245A. The definition does not name chapter 245D, so confirm with your licensor how it applies to your license.
A "vulnerable adult" (subd. 21(a)) is anyone 18 or older who is a resident or inpatient of a facility, receives services required to be licensed under chapter 245A (with some exceptions), receives services from a licensed home care provider or a personal care assistance provider, or has a physical, mental or emotional dysfunction that impairs their ability to care for themselves and protect themselves from maltreatment.
What counts as maltreatment
Maltreatment means abuse, neglect or financial exploitation (626.5572, subd. 15). Each is defined in that section: abuse in subd. 2, financial exploitation in subd. 9 and neglect in subd. 17.
How fast, and what to include
The duty is to report immediately (626.557, subd. 3(a) and 4(a)). The report should include, to the extent possible, enough detail to identify the vulnerable adult, the caregiver, the incident and the reporter (subd. 4(a)).
By statute the common entry point "must be available 24 hours per day to take calls from reporters of suspected maltreatment" (subd. 9(b)).
Reporting inside your organization
A facility must keep a written procedure to ensure suspected maltreatment is reported (626.557, subd. 4a(a)). A mandated reporter may report internally, but the facility remains responsible for the immediate report.
- The facility must give the reporter written notice, within two working days, stating whether it reported the incident to the common entry point (subd. 4a(b)).
- The notice must say the reporter may report externally if not satisfied with the facility's action (subd. 4a(c)).
- "A facility may not prohibit a mandated reporter from reporting externally" (subd. 4a(d)).
What happens after you report
- If a crime may have been committed, the common entry point immediately reports to law enforcement (subd. 9(d)).
- The report is referred to the lead investigative agency as soon as possible, and no longer than two working days (subd. 9a(a)(3)).
- The lead investigative agency depends on the facility or service: the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services, or the county social service agency (626.5572, subd. 13). Check subd. 13 for your license type.
- On the reporter's request, the agency must give initial disposition information within five business days of receipt, if that will not endanger the vulnerable adult or hamper the investigation (626.557, subd. 9c(a)). Final disposition is due within 60 calendar days (subd. 9c(h)).
Protections and penalties
- Immunity: a person making a good-faith report is immune from civil or criminal liability arising from the report (subd. 5(a)).
- No retaliation: "A facility or person shall not retaliate against any person who reports in good faith suspected maltreatment" (subd. 17(a)). Remedies include actual damages, punitive damages up to $10,000 and attorney fees (subd. 17(b)). Adverse action within 90 days of a report is presumed retaliatory unless rebutted (subd. 17(c)).
- Failure to report: a mandated reporter who negligently or intentionally fails to report is liable for resulting damages (subd. 7).
- False reports: a person who intentionally makes a false report is liable for actual damages, punitive damages up to $10,000 and attorney fees (subd. 6).
Abuse prevention plans
Subd. 14 requires facilities other than home health agencies and personal care attendant services providers to keep a written abuse prevention plan. Home health agencies and personal care attendant services providers must still develop individual abuse prevention plans for each vulnerable adult they serve. See our IAPP checklist.
Keeping the record
Incident reporting is only as good as the record behind it. Sothcare's incident and behavior reporting is structured to be captured at the time of the event, with notifications logged alongside. See group home software and Minnesota assisted living software.
Sources
Requirements change. Check these primary sources before you act on anything on this page. Last reviewed October 2026.
General information summarizing statute text, not legal advice. Confirm current statute text and MDH or DHS guidance for your license type before relying on this summary.