2025 Session
Last amended: 2020 session
§ 609.507 — Falsely Reporting Child Abuse
Plain-Language Summary
It is a crime to intentionally make a false report that a child is being abused or neglected. This is a misdemeanor.
609.507 FALSELY REPORTING CHILD ABUSE.
A person is guilty of a misdemeanor who:
(1) informs another person that a person has committed sexual abuse, physical abuse, or neglect of a child, as defined in section 260E.03;
(2) knows that the allegation is false or is without reason to believe that the alleged abuser committed the abuse or neglect; and
(3) has the intent that the information influence a child custody hearing.
History:
1988 c 662 s 3; 1Sp2020 c 2 art 8 s 140
History: History: 1988 c 662 s 3; 1Sp2020 c 2 art 8 s 140
Practical Notes
False reports of child abuse waste the resources of child protection agencies and can cause serious harm to families. This law does not discourage good-faith reports; it only applies to intentionally false reports.