How to Make a Report
Frequently Asked Questions about Maltreatment of Students
How to make a report: Information on reporting requirements.
Report within 24 hours.
MDE has a 24-hour reporting hotline: 651.582.8546
Fax: 651.634.2277
• Reports should include the identity of the child, the identity of the alleged offender, the nature of the abuse or neglect, and the name, address, and telephone number of the reporter.
• A written report should follow within 72 hours.
• State law mandates that certain people report allegations of maltreatment to MDE and do so immediately.
• School employees and other mandated reporters must make their report to MDE or to law enforcement immediately, which state law defines as no later than 24 hours after learning of the alleged maltreatment.
• Anyone who knows or has reason to believe that a student is being neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years by a Minnesota school district employee must report the information immediately to MDE or local law enforcement.
• If a child is in imminent risk of abuse, neglect, or harm notify local law enforcement or call 911.
• Teachers, administrators and other school personnel are required by law to report maltreatment of students.
• Parents and others can make a report voluntarily.
• All cases of alleged maltreatment of students by school employees must be reported to MDE or to local law enforcement. If local law enforcement authorities receive this report, they are required to cross-report to MDE. Because the law is relatively recent and local law-enforcement agencies might not report to MDE, it is requested that schools report to MDE even when a report is made to local police.
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