Under
Minnesota Statute 626.556, persons in designated professional occupations are mandated to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
Who must report? Anyone who is a professional or a professional's delegate engaged in the the practice of the healing arts, social services, hospital administration, psychological or psychiatric treatment, child care, education, law enforcement, or employed as a member of the clergy.
What must be reported? When a mandated reporter knows or has reason to believe that a child is being neglected or physically or sexually abused by a person responsible for the child's care, or has been so within the previous three years, a report must be made. A person responsible for a child's care includes family members, teachers, day care providers, and coaches, and can include anyone lawfully entrusted with a child's care.
Who do you report to? You must report to the local police department, the county sheriff, or the local county social services agency. These agencies then cross report to each other.
What if you don't report? You could be prosecuted for committing a misdemeanor. If a child suffers substantial or great bodily harm as a result of not receiving needed treatment for the abuse or neglect because of your failure to report, it is a gross misdemeanor. If the child dies as a result, it is a felony.
What protection do you have as a mandated reporter? You are immune from liability for any report made in good faith. Your employer cannot retaliate against you for making a good faith report. Your identity is protected unless you consent, or a court orders its release upon a showing by the subject of the report that you made the report in bad faith.