Adult Protective Services in Montana

Montana Adult Protective Services (APS), operated by the Senior and Long-Term Care Division of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults living in the community. Montana APS serves adults aged 60 and older and adults aged 18 and older with qualifying physical or mental impairments or developmental disabilities. To report suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult in Montana, call 1-844-277-9300 during business hours or submit a report online.

How to Report Elder Abuse in Montana

Montana APS reports can be made by phone during business hours or through an online reporting portal available at any time.

Report by Phone

Call Montana APS at 1-844-277-9300. The line is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding state holidays. When you call, an intake worker will document the details of your report and assign it for investigation. For after-hours situations that are not immediate emergencies, you can also submit a report online and it will be reviewed on the next business day.

Report Online

Montana's online reporting portal is available at https://aps.mt.gov/Intake/PublicIntakeReport.aspx. The portal allows any person to submit a report at any time of day or night. Online reports are reviewed by APS staff on the next business day. For situations requiring urgent response, calling the hotline during business hours or calling 911 after hours is strongly recommended.

Emergency Situations

If a vulnerable adult in Montana is in immediate physical danger — a medical emergency, active abuse, or life-threatening neglect — call 911. Montana APS offices are not staffed 24/7 and do not provide emergency dispatch services. After contacting emergency services, file a report with APS at 1-844-277-9300 or through the online portal to initiate a formal investigation.

What Information to Have Ready Before You Call

Having as much specific information available as possible helps APS process your report and respond appropriately. Provide what you can:

• Full name, age, and home address of the vulnerable adult
• A description of the type of abuse, neglect, or exploitation and specific circumstances
• Name and relationship of the alleged abuser or neglectful caregiver
• Information about the adult's physical or mental health conditions or disabilities
• Names of any witnesses or others with relevant information
• Your contact information (you may request that your identity be kept private)
• The person's current living situation and any immediate safety concerns

Types of Elder Abuse APS Investigates in Montana

Under Montana's Vulnerable Adult Prevention of Abuse Act (MCA Title 52, Chapter 3, Part 8), Montana APS investigates the following types of maltreatment:

• Physical abuse — non-accidental physical injury, pain, or harm, including deprivation of necessities, degrading treatment, or improper physical restraint
• Mental/emotional abuse — verbal threats, intimidation, humiliation, or psychological harm
• Sexual abuse — non-consensual sexual contact or sexual exploitation of a vulnerable adult
• Neglect — a responsible person's failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, or supervision
• Financial exploitation — unauthorized use or misappropriation of a vulnerable adult's funds, property, or assets

Note: Montana's APS statute does not specifically cover self-neglect. Adults who are failing to meet their own needs due to cognitive decline or disability may be better served through emergency guardianship proceedings or other community-based services.

Warning Signs of Elder Abuse

Recognizing warning signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation can prompt a report that prevents serious harm.

Physical Signs

• Unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or broken bones
• Bedsores, poor personal hygiene, or untreated medical conditions
• Rapid weight loss, dehydration, or malnutrition
• Evidence of restraint or confinement
• Injuries inconsistent with the explanation provided by caregivers

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden withdrawal, anxiety, or fearfulness
• Reluctance to speak when a caregiver or family member is present
• Confusion or disorientation beyond the person's known baseline
• Reports of threats, isolation, or degrading treatment
• Abrupt personality or behavioral changes

Financial Signs

• Unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts or missing funds
• Sudden changes to estate planning documents — wills, trusts, powers of attorney
• Unpaid bills or food shortages despite having adequate financial resources
• A caregiver or family member who controls all financial access
• Missing possessions, valuables, or financial account information

Who Can (and Must) Report Abuse in Montana

Any person or entity may report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Montana. Reporters may request that their identity be kept confidential.

Montana law designates specific professionals as mandated reporters under MCA §52-3-811. These include physicians, nurses, and other health and mental health professionals; ambulance attendants; public assistance employees; rooming and nursing home employees; attorneys (with limited exceptions for privileged communications); peace officers; DPHHS contract service providers; DPHHS employees; and conservators, guardians, or representative payees serving vulnerable adults.

Mandated reporters who knowingly or purposely fail to report are subject to criminal penalties under MCA §52-3-825, punishable under MCA §46-18-212. Good faith reporters are immune from civil and criminal liability unless the report was made falsely and in bad faith under MCA §52-3-814.

What Happens After You Report to APS in Montana

Step 1 — Intake Screening

Upon receiving a report, Montana APS determines whether the subject qualifies as a vulnerable adult under MCA §52-3-803 and whether the reported conduct constitutes abuse, neglect, or exploitation under the statute. The intake worker assesses the risk level and determines the urgency of the response.

Step 2 — Response Timeline

Montana statute does not specify a general investigation timeline in calendar days. For situations involving substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, Montana APS may seek temporary guardianship from the court within 2 judicial days under MCA §52-3-808. For other reports, investigations are initiated promptly based on assessed risk.

Step 3 — Investigation

An APS caseworker conducts a face-to-face visit with the vulnerable adult at their residence or care setting. The investigator assesses the adult's safety and condition, interviews the individual privately where possible, and speaks with caregivers, family members, neighbors, and other relevant parties. Medical records and financial documents may be reviewed. Criminal conduct is referred to law enforcement.

Step 4 — Service Plan and Outcome

If abuse, neglect, or exploitation is substantiated, APS develops a service plan to address the vulnerable adult's safety and needs. Services may include emergency placement, in-home support, medical referrals, mental health services, legal advocacy, and financial management assistance. Adults with capacity retain the right to refuse services. Emergency guardianship may be sought if the person lacks capacity and faces life-threatening danger.

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

Montana APS investigates abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults in community settings — primarily private homes and non-licensed care arrangements. Concerns about the quality of care or staff conduct in licensed nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other licensed residential care settings are handled separately.

For concerns about residents of licensed long-term care facilities in Montana, contact the Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program at 1-800-551-3191. The Ombudsman advocates for residents and investigates complaints about care quality, residents' rights, and facility conditions. The DPHHS Quality Assurance Division licenses and inspects nursing homes.

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

Additional Resources in Montana

• Montana APS: 1-844-277-9300 (M-F 8am-5pm) or online
• Montana Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 1-800-551-3191
• DPHHS Senior and Long-Term Care
• Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)
• National Center on Elder Abuse

Reports to Montana APS are confidential. You may request that your identity be kept private. If you suspect a vulnerable adult in Montana is being harmed, call 1-844-277-9300 during business hours or submit an online report at aps.mt.gov at any time.