As used in parts 9555.7100 to 9555.7600, the following terms have the meanings given them.
"Abuse" means:
any act which constitutes a violation of Minnesota Statutes, section 609.322 related to prostitution;
any act which constitutes a violation of Minnesota Statutes, sections 609.342 to 609.345 related to criminal sexual conduct; or
the intentional and nontherapeutic infliction of physical pain or injury, or any persistent course of conduct intended to produce mental or emotional distress.
"Caretaker" means an individual or facility which has responsibility for the care of a vulnerable adult as a result of family relationship, or which has assumed responsibility for all or a portion of the care of the vulnerable adult voluntarily, by contract, or by agreement. A person who has assumed only financial responsibility for an adult is not a caretaker.
"County of financial responsibility" means the county designated as the county of financial responsibility.
"Facility" means a hospital or other entity required to be licensed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 144.50 to 144.58; a nursing home required to be licensed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 144A.02; an agency, residential or nonresidential program required to be licensed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A; a mental health program receiving funds pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 245.61; and any entity required to be certified for participation in titles XVIII or XIX of the Social Security Act, United States Code, title 42, section 1395 et seq.
"Impairment of mental or physical function or emotional status" means a condition which includes being substantially unable to carry out one or more of the essential major activities of daily living, such as caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, or working; being unable to protect oneself from hazardous or abusive situations without assistance; a substantial disorder of thought or mood which significantly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality or ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life; substantial difficulty in engaging in the rational decision-making process, and inability to weigh the possible benefits and risks of seeking assistance; a condition in which an individual is so fearful, so ashamed, so confused, or so anxious about the consequences of reporting that that individual would be unable or unlikely to make a responsible decision regarding whether or not to report abuse or neglect.
"Licensing agency" means:
the commissioner of health, for a facility which is required to be licensed or certified by the Department of Health;
the commissioner of human services for programs required by Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A, to be licensed;
"Local social services agency" means the local agency under the authority of the human services board or board of county commissioners which is responsible for social services.
"Neglect" means failure by a caretaker to supply or to ensure the supply of necessary food, clothing, shelter, health care, or supervision for a vulnerable adult.
"Report" means any verbal or written report of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult received by the local social services agency, police department, county sheriff, or licensing agency.
"Substantiated" means proved to the satisfaction of the investigating agency.
"Vulnerable adult" means any person 18 years of age or older:
who receives services at or from a program required to be licensed pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 245A; or
who, regardless of residence, is unable or unlikely to report abuse or neglect without assistance because of impairment of mental or physical function or emotional status.
"Inconclusive" means a report which cannot be substantiated or disproved to the satisfaction of the investigating agency.
L 1984 c 654 art 5 s 58; 13 SR 1448; L 2003 1Sp14 art 11 s 11; L 2012 c 216 art 9 s 38
October 15, 2013
Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes