Sex Offender Registry
Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect
Minnesota Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 3 sets forth a list of professionals required to report suspected child abuse or neglect (including child sexual abuse) to authorities. The list includes medical and mental health care providers, law enforcement officers, social workers, corrections officers, clergy members, and educators. Any other person may voluntarily report if the person knows, has reason to believe, or suspects that a child is being neglected or subjected to sexual or physical abuse.
Reports must be made within 24 hours. Failure to report is a misdemeanor (and under certain circumstances, a felony).
Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
Minnesota Ann. Stat. § 626.556, Subd. 2 provides that ‘sexual abuse’ means the subjection of a child to any act that constitutes criminal sexual conduct by a person responsible for the child’s care, a person who has a significant relationship to the child, or a person in a position of authority. Sexual abuse includes any act that involves a minor that constitutes a violation of prostitution offenses. Sexual abuse also includes threatened sexual abuse.