Adult Protective Services in Minnesota

In Minnesota, reports of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults are filed through the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC), a centralized intake system operated by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). MAARC receives and routes reports to the appropriate Lead Investigative Agency (LIA) — which may be county social services, law enforcement, or a licensed facility's internal review process — depending on the setting and nature of the alleged maltreatment. MAARC is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-844-880-1574.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Minnesota

Minnesota offers two ways to report suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult: by phone through MAARC and through an online reporting portal.

Report by Phone

Call MAARC at 1-844-880-1574 to report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. The line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The intake worker will document your report and route it to the appropriate county or agency for investigation. All reporters — both mandated reporters and members of the public — can use this number.

Report Online

Mandated reporters may use the MAARC online portal to submit reports electronically. The online portal is specifically designed for professionals who are required to report under the Minnesota Vulnerable Adults Act. For emergency situations or when the situation requires immediate action, call 1-844-880-1574 rather than using the online portal.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult in Minnesota is facing immediate physical danger — a medical emergency, active assault, or life-threatening neglect — call 911 first. MAARC is not an emergency dispatch service. After contacting 911, call 1-844-880-1574 to file a formal MAARC report so that an investigation can be initiated through the appropriate channel.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

When you call MAARC, having the following information available helps the intake worker process your report and determine the appropriate response:

• Full name, age or date of birth, and address of the vulnerable adult
• A description of the specific maltreatment you observed or suspect — type, dates, and circumstances
• The name and relationship of the alleged perpetrator or neglectful caregiver
• The setting where the alleged maltreatment occurred (private home, licensed facility, day program, etc.)
• Information about the vulnerable adult's physical or mental condition or disabilities
• Names of witnesses or others with relevant knowledge
• Your contact information (anonymous reports are accepted, but contact details assist with follow-up)

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Minnesota

Under the Minnesota Vulnerable Adults Act (Minn. Stat. §§626.557–626.5572), the following types of maltreatment are subject to investigation:

• Physical abuse — non-accidental physical injury, pain, or impairment caused by another person
• Emotional/psychological abuse — verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, isolation, or other conduct that causes mental anguish
• Sexual abuse — non-consensual sexual contact or sexual exploitation
• Neglect by caregiver — failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or supervision by a responsible caregiver
• Self-neglect — an adult's inability or refusal to provide for their own essential needs, creating a risk of serious harm
• Financial exploitation — theft, unauthorized use of funds or property, misuse of power of attorney, or other financial harm

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse and neglect often go undetected because victims may be unable or afraid to report. Recognizing the signs — especially patterns over time — can prompt a life-saving call to MAARC.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures
• Bedsores, poor personal hygiene, or untreated medical conditions
• Sudden weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
• Injuries inconsistent with the explanation given by the caregiver
• Visible fearfulness or distress in the presence of a particular person

Behavioral Signs

• Withdrawal from activities, friends, or family members
• Sudden depression, anxiety, or changes in personality
• Reluctance to speak when a caregiver is present
• Confusion or disorientation beyond the person's known cognitive baseline
• Reports of threats, confinement, or degrading treatment

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or liquidation of assets
• Changes to estate planning documents — wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations — that seem coerced
• Unpaid bills or utilities despite adequate financial resources
• A caregiver who controls access to money or financial statements
• Missing valuables or checks

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Minnesota

Any person — a family member, neighbor, friend, or professional — may report suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult to MAARC in Minnesota. Anonymous reports are accepted.

Minnesota's Vulnerable Adults Act at Minn. Stat. §626.557 designates a broad range of professionals as mandated reporters who are legally required to immediately report suspected maltreatment. Mandated reporters include licensed professionals in social services, health care (physicians, nurses, dentists, mental health providers), law enforcement, education, and care of vulnerable adults, as well as employees of licensed facilities and rehabilitation programs, and medical examiners. The reporting obligation applies whenever the mandated reporter has reasonable cause to believe a vulnerable adult is being maltreated.

Intentional failure to report is a misdemeanor under Minn. Stat. §609.234. If the failure leads to the death or great bodily harm of a vulnerable adult, it is a gross misdemeanor. Mandated reporters may also be liable for damages that result from their failure to report. Good faith reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability under Minn. Stat. §626.557 subd. 5.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Minnesota

After a report is filed with MAARC, the following process unfolds:

Step 1 — Intake Screening

MAARC staff screen the report to determine whether it meets the criteria under the Vulnerable Adults Act and identify the appropriate Lead Investigative Agency (LIA). For emergencies or criminal conduct, referrals are made immediately. For non-emergency maltreatment reports, MAARC refers the case to the LIA within 2 working days.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

The Lead Investigative Agency must make an initial disposition — whether the report meets criteria for investigation — within 5 business days. Final investigation findings must be issued within 60 calendar days. Extensions are permitted with written notice to the parties involved. (Minn. Stat. §626.557 subds. 9a, 9c)

Step 3 — Investigation

The LIA (typically the county social services agency or law enforcement, depending on the setting) conducts a face-to-face visit with the vulnerable adult. The investigator interviews the individual, observes the environment, reviews relevant records, and interviews caregivers, facility staff, family members, and witnesses. Criminal conduct is investigated by law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If maltreatment is substantiated, a service plan is developed to protect the vulnerable adult and address their needs. Services may include emergency placement, home care assistance, mental health services, financial management support, and legal advocacy. Vulnerable adults with capacity have the right to refuse services. When capacity is in question and the person faces ongoing danger, the LIA can seek court-ordered protective action.

APS vs. Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Who Handles Nursing Home Abuse in Minnesota?

A key distinction in Minnesota: unlike many states, MAARC and the Vulnerable Adults Act cover both community-dwelling adults and residents of licensed facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living. Maltreatment of a licensed facility resident is investigated by the Lead Investigative Agency for that setting, which typically includes both law enforcement and the county social services agency.

However, for day-to-day complaints about quality of care, residents' rights, or facility conditions that do not constitute maltreatment, residents and families in Minnesota should contact the Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care at 1-800-657-3591. The Ombudsman advocates for residents in licensed long-term care facilities and can help mediate complaints about care and services.

For a complete guide to filing a nursing home complaint in Minnesota, see our Minnesota Nursing Home Complaint Guide.

Additional Resources in Minnesota

• MAARC (Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center): 1-844-880-1574 (24/7)
• Minnesota Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care: 1-800-657-3591
• Minnesota DHS Adult Protection: mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/services/adult-protection/
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• National Center on Elder Abuse

All reports to MAARC are confidential. Anonymous reports are accepted. If you suspect a vulnerable adult in Minnesota is being maltreated, call 1-844-880-1574 or use the online portal.