Vulnerable Adult Act 1980

Minnesota passed MS 626.557 declares public policy to protect adults who, because of physical or mental disabilities or dependency on institutional services, are particularly vulnerable to maltreatment; to assist with providing safe environments to vulnerable adults.

The act identifies who is a vulnerable adult, specifies persons required or permitted to report maltreatment, and defines what constitutes maltreatment—abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Vulnerable Adult Defined: An individual 18 years of age or older who meets the following criteria of categorical vulnerable adult or functional vulnerable adult:

Categorical Vulnerable adult

• Is in a hospital, nursing home, transitional care unit, assisted living, housing with services, board and care, foster care or other licensed care facility 
• Receives services such as home care, day services, personal care assistance (PCA) or other licensed services.

Functional Vulnerable adult

• The individual's ability to provide adequately for the individual's own care without assistance, including the provision of food, shelter, clothing, health care, or supervision; and
• Because of the need for care or services, the individual has an impaired ability to protect the individual's self from maltreatment.

Making a Vulnerable Adult Report: MAARC

The Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) is the state centralized system for reporting suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult. MAARC is operated by DHS. MAARC is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for mandated reporters and the public. 

Report suspected maltreatment of a Vulnerable Adult to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) by calling 1-844-880-1574   24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Mandated reporters meet their reporting duty by making a web report at the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC). Mandated reporters may refer to the MAARC Mandated Reporter Guide for information on using the web-based reporting system.

Timeline for Investigations:

Emergency Protective Services (EPS) – 24 Hour Response
Screened In Investigations – 72 Hour Response (once report is screened in) 

Civil Lead Agencies:

• Allegations involving hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living and home care agencies are referred to the Minnesota Department of Health, Office of Health Facility Complaints at 651-201-4201 or email the Department of Health. 
• Allegations involving adult foster care, group homes or services licensed by DHS are referred to DHS-Licensing at 651-431-6600 or email DHS-Licensing. 
• Allegations of self-neglect by a vulnerable adult, or involving non-licensed facilities or services, are referred to county social services in the county where the vulnerable adult is currently located.

MN State Statues for Adult Protection

Wright County Adult Protection Services Prioritization Guidelines