VULNERABLE ADULT ACT

In 1980, the Minnesota Vulnerable Adult Act was signed into law. As an Adult Day Provider you
are required to understand the law and its implications as well as the process for reporting
suspected maltreatment. Adult Day Services providers are mandated reporters.

Vulnerable adults are individuals who are especially at risk of being a victim of abuse, neglect or
financial crimes. The Vulnerable Adult Act defines those at risk as:

people over the age of 18

who are in the hospital, or
live in a residential facility, or
receive services at or from a facility or from a home care provider, or
people who have a physical, mental or emotional infirmity that makes them unable to provide
for their basic needs and unable to protect themselves from harm.

A. who is a resident or patient of a facility;

B. who receives services at or from a program required to be licensed pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A; or
C. who, regardless of residence, is unable or unlikely to report abuse or neglect
without assistance because of impairment of mental or physical function or emotional
status.

The Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) is the statewide common entry point
for accepting reports of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults. MAARC provides a toll-
free number for the general public to call and make a report and a web-based reporting
system at mn.gov/dhs/reportadultabuse/ for mandated reporters. MAARC is open 24 hours a
day, seven days a week.

Minnesota encourages good faith reporting of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults by

any person. If you make a report, your identity is confidential and cannot be released without a
court order.

Reports are reviewed to see if immediate protective services are needed. Reports of an alleged
crime are referred to law enforcement. All reports of suspected maltreatment are also referred
to a lead investigative agency, which may be the county or the state departments of Health or
Human Services.

Katie Adult Day Services Policies and Procedures Manual 01-007.16

A Product of LeadingAge Minnesota October 2016
Information contained in reports of suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable made to the
Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center is confidential under Minnesota law. The Minnesota
Adult Abuse Reporting Center cannot provide information about a report to anyone, including
the reporter, once a report is completed. Once a report is referred to the lead investigative
agency responsible, different parts of the law cover how information in the report can be
shared, but the identity of the reporter remains protected. Contact the county or state agency
responsible for the report for questions about a completed report.

Sources: http://elderjusticemn.org/know-the-basics/

http://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/seniors/services/adult-protection/

Katie Adult Day Services Policies and Procedures Manual 01-007.16

A Product of LeadingAge Minnesota October 2016