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1C.3 Mandated Reporting

Responsible Position

Chief Human Resources Officer

RELATED ITEMS

Minnesota State Board Policy

Minnesota Statutes

POLICY STATEMENT

Purpose

Alexandria Technical and Community College (ATCC) is committed to protecting the health, safety, and welfare of minors and vulnerable adults who interact with the college community. This policy establishes ATCC’s responsibilities and procedures for mandated reporting of suspected abuse or neglect, consistent with Minnesota law and Minnesota State system expectations.

Scope

This policy applies to all ATCC employees, including faculty, staff, administrators, student employees, and volunteers, when acting in the course and scope of their college responsibilities. Certain employees are designated as mandated reporters under Minnesota law; however, ATCC expects all employees to take appropriate action, as outlined below, when they have knowledge of or reason to believe abuse or neglect has occurred.

Legal Authority

Minnesota Statute 260E.06 establishes mandatory reporting obligations for individuals engaged in education and related professions. Failure to comply with these statutes may result in criminal or civil penalties.

Definitions

Child/Minor 

A person who has not reached age 18. ATCC employees and students may interact with minors in a variety of ways. Examples include PSEO/dual enrollment students, campus visits, camps, events, clinical/field/internship placements, Head Start students.

Maltreatment 

Any of the following acts or omissions as defined by Minnesota Statute 260E.03: 

  1. egregious harm under subdivision 5; 
  2. neglect under subdivision 15; 
  3. physical abuse under subdivision 18; 
  4. sexual abuse under subdivision 20; 
  5. substantial child endangerment under subdivision 22; 
  6. threatened injury under subdivision 23; 
  7. mental injury under subdivision 13; and 
  8. maltreatment of a child in a facility. 

Mandatory Reporter 

A person who knows or has reason to believe a child/minor is being maltreated as defined in Minnesota Statute 260E.03, or has been maltreated within the preceding three years shall immediately report the information to the local welfare agency, agency responsible for assessing or investigating the report, police department, county sheriff, tribal social services agency, or tribal police department if the person is: 

  1. a professional or professional's delegate who is engaged in the practice of the healing arts, social services, hospital administration, psychological or psychiatric treatment, child care, education, correctional supervision, probation and correctional services, or law enforcement; or 
  2. employed as a member of the clergy and received the information while engaged in ministerial duties, provided that a member of the clergy is not required by this subdivision to report information that is otherwise privileged under Minnesota Statute 595.02, subdivision 1, paragraph (c). 
    1. "Practice of social services" for the purposes of this subdivision includes but is not limited to employee assistance counseling and the provision of guardian ad litem and parenting time expeditor services. 
    2. A corporation, school, nonprofit organization, religious organization, facility as defined in section 260E.03, subdivision 6, or similar entity must not have any policies, written or otherwise, that prevent or discourage a mandatory or voluntary reporter from reporting suspected or alleged maltreatment of a child in accordance with this section. 

Vulnerable Adult 

Any person 18 years of age or older who: 

  1. is a resident or inpatient of a facility; 
  2. receives services required to be licensed under Minnesota Statute 245A, except that a person receiving outpatient services for treatment of substance use disorder or mental illness, or one who is served in the Minnesota Sex Offender Program on a court-hold order for commitment, or is committed as a sexual psychopathic personality or as a sexually dangerous person under Minnesota Statute 253B, is not considered a vulnerable adult unless the person meets the requirements of clause (4); 
  3. receives services from a home care provider required to be licensed under Minnesota Statutes 144A.43 to 144A.482; or from a person or organization that offers, provides, or arranges for personal care assistance services under the medical assistance program as authorized under Minnesota Statutes 256B.0625, subdivision 19a, 256B.0651, 256B.0653, 256B.0654, 256B.0659, or 256B.85; or 
  4. regardless of residence or whether any type of service is received, possesses a physical or mental infirmity or other physical, mental, or emotional dysfunction: 
    1. that impairs 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
    2. because of the dysfunction or infirmity and the need for care or services, the individual has an impaired ability to protect the individual's self from maltreatment. 

What Must Be Reported 

A report must be made when an employee knows or has reason to believe that: 

  • A minor has been maltreated, as defined in Minnesota Statute 260E.03 
  • A minor has been subjected to deprivation of parental rights as defined in Minnesota Statute 609.26 
  • A minor has been subjected to prenatal exposure to controlled substances as defined in Minnesota Statute 260E.31; or 
  • A vulnerable adult has been abused, neglected, or financially exploited as defined in Minnesota Statute 626.557. 

Reasonable Suspicion Standard (When in Doubt, Report) 

Mandated reporters are required to make a report when they know or have reason to believe maltreatment has occurred. They are not expected to investigate, confirm, or “prove” abuse or neglect. When there is uncertainty about whether conduct meets the legal definition (including concerns involving verbal or emotional harm), a good-faith report based on the information available should be made. The receiving agency will screen the report and determine whether the allegations meet statutory criteria and whether an investigation will be opened. 

The obligation to report applies regardless of whether the information is learned directly, indirectly, or through a third party, and regardless of the location where the suspected abuse or neglect occurred. 

Reporting Obligations 

Immediate Action 

If a minor or vulnerable adult is believed to be in immediate danger, employees must contact 911 or local law enforcement immediately. 

Where to Report 

Reports must be made directly to one of the following, as appropriate: 

  • Local law enforcement or county sheriff’s office; 
    • Douglas County Sheriff's Office 
      • 911 (emergency) 
      • (320) 762-8151 (non-emergency) 
    • Alexandria Police Department 
      • 911 (emergency) 
      • (320) 763-6631 (non-emergency) 
  • County social services agency 
    • Douglas County Social Services 
    • (320) 762-2302 
  • The Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) for vulnerable adult reports 
    • 844-880-1574 

Reporting to a supervisor, administrator, or another college office does not satisfy an individual’s legal obligation to report. 

Timing of Reports 

Mandated reporters must make an oral report as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after the information is received. A written report must follow within 72 hours, excluding weekends and holidays, if required by the receiving agency. 

Confidentiality and Retaliation 

Reports are confidential to the extent permitted by law. ATCC prohibits retaliation against any individual who makes a good-faith report of suspected abuse or neglect or who participates in an investigation related to such a report. 

Failure to Report 

Failure to comply with mandated reporting requirements may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment and may also result in criminal or civil penalties under Minnesota law. 

Related ATCC Items:

 

Approved by: College President

Effective Date: 9/22/2026

Next Review Date: September 2029

Archive: