Cameron Miranda
Minnesota does not have an explicit law pertaining to the specific age at which children can be left home alone. However, the DHS Child Maltreatment Screening Guidelines, which establish policy for county agencies, do provide specific criteria. Cities, counties, and states tend to look at a variety of factors, including age, when determining whether a specific child can be left home alone, unsupervised. Minnesota has a state-supervised, county-administered child welfare system. The Minnesota legislature passes laws, the Governor of Minnesota signs them (or vetoes them), and the Minnesota Department of Human Services establishes general rules, policies, and guidelines based on these laws and best practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Specific age at which children can be left home alone | No explicit law |
| DHS Child Maltreatment Screening Guidelines | Provide specific criteria |
| Ages 16-17 | Can be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision |
What You'll Learn
- Minnesota does not have an explicit law on the age at which children can be left home alone
- Cities, counties and states consider a variety of factors when determining whether a child can be left home alone
- Foster parents are advised to consider additional elements when it comes to leaving children in their care alone
- Minnesota has a state-supervised, county-administered child welfare system
- Children aged 16-17 can be left alone for more than 24 hours with a plan in place on how to respond to an emergency
Minnesota does not have an explicit law on the age at which children can be left home alone
Reports alleging inadequate supervision or child care arrangements may be screened in for a child protection response, including the child's age. Children aged 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with a plan in place on how to respond to an emergency and adequate adult backup supervision. If children are left alone when a report is received by the local welfare agency, and the circumstances fall outside of these timelines, the matter may be referred to law enforcement for an immediate child welfare and safety check.
Foster parents are advised to consider additional elements when it comes to leaving children in their care alone. Federal law regarding foster care includes the reasonable and prudent parent standard, which allows foster parents greater discretion in making decisions regarding the daily activities of the children in their care. Foster parents should consult with their caseworker for specific guidance.
Before leaving children alone, parents and caregivers should consult with their county agency and make use of resources such as the Healthy Children Checklist and The American Red Cross’s safety steps for parents.
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Cities, counties and states consider a variety of factors when determining whether a child can be left home alone
In Minnesota, ages 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision and a plan in place on how to respond to an emergency. If children are left alone at the time a report is received by the local welfare agency, and the circumstances fall outside of timelines listed above, the local welfare agency may refer the matter to an appropriate law enforcement agency for an immediate child welfare and safety check.
Before leaving children alone, parents should consult with their county agency and make use of the Healthy Children Checklist to gauge if their particular child is mature enough to be left alone. Foster parents should also consider additional elements when it comes to leaving children in their care alone. According to a Child Welfare Information Gateway factsheet, “Federal law regarding foster care includes the reasonable and prudent parent standard, which allows foster parents greater discretion in making decisions regarding the daily activities of the children and youth in their care. For specific guidance, foster parents should consult with their caseworker, who can provide information tailored to the child or youth’s specific situation and the local regulations or guidelines.”
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Foster parents are advised to consider additional elements when it comes to leaving children in their care alone
Minnesota does not have an explicit law pertaining to the specific age at which children can be left home alone. However, foster parents are advised to consider additional elements when it comes to leaving children in their care alone. This is because federal law regarding foster care includes the reasonable and prudent parent standard, which allows foster parents greater discretion in making decisions regarding the daily activities of the children in their care.
For specific guidance, foster parents should consult with their caseworker, who can provide information tailored to the child's specific situation and the local regulations or guidelines. Before leaving children alone, it is also recommended to consult with your county agency and make use of the Healthy Children Checklist to gauge if your particular child is mature enough to be left alone.
In Minnesota, children aged 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision. If children are left alone at the time a report is received by the local welfare agency, and the circumstances fall outside of the timelines listed above, the local welfare agency may refer the matter to an appropriate law enforcement agency for an immediate child welfare and safety check.
The Minnesota legislature passes laws, the Governor of Minnesota signs them (or vetoes them), and the Minnesota Department of Human Services establishes general rules, policies, and guidelines based on these laws and best practices.
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Minnesota has a state-supervised, county-administered child welfare system
Like nearly every other state in the US, Minnesota does not have an explicit law pertaining to the specific age at which children can be left home alone. However, DHS Child Maltreatment Screening Guidelines, which establish policy for county agencies, do provide specific criteria. Cities, counties, and states tend to look at a variety of factors, including age, when determining whether a specific child can be left home alone, unsupervised.
For example, children aged 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision and a plan in place on how to respond to an emergency. If children are left alone at the time a report is received by the local welfare agency, and the circumstances fall outside of timelines listed above, the local welfare agency may refer the matter to an appropriate law enforcement agency for an immediate child welfare and safety check.
Before leaving children alone, parents and caregivers should consult with their county agency. They should also make use of the Healthy Children Checklist to gauge if their particular child is mature enough to be left alone.
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Children aged 16-17 can be left alone for more than 24 hours with a plan in place on how to respond to an emergency
Minnesota does not have an explicit law pertaining to the specific age at which children can be left home alone. However, according to DHS Child Maltreatment Screening Guidelines, children aged 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with a plan in place on how to respond to an emergency. This plan should include adequate adult back-up supervision.
Before leaving children alone, it is recommended to consult with your county agency and make use of the Healthy Children Checklist to gauge if your particular child is mature enough to be left alone. The American Red Cross also provides safety steps for parents to take before leaving children unsupervised.
It is important to note that foster parents should consider additional elements when it comes to leaving children in their care alone. Federal law regarding foster care includes the reasonable and prudent parent standard, which allows foster parents greater discretion in making decisions regarding the daily activities of the children and youth in their care. Foster parents should consult with their caseworker for specific guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Minnesota does not have an explicit law pertaining to the specific age at which children can be left home alone.
Cities, counties, and states tend to look at a variety of factors, including age, when determining whether a specific child can be left home alone, unsupervised.
Yes, Minnesota statute includes 'lack of age-appropriate supervision' as a form of neglect, but it does not specify the age at which a child can be left unsupervised.
Ages 16-17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision and a plan in place on how to respond to an emergency.
Before leaving children alone, parents should consult with their county agency and make use of the Healthy Children Checklist to gauge if their child is mature enough to be left alone.
