The bill requires the DHFS to annually submit to the legislature a report regarding
orders for involuntary administration of psychotropic medication.
Involuntary Administration of Medication and Involuntary Medical Treatment
Other Than Psychotropic Medication
The bill authorizes a guardian to consent, without further court involvement, to
involuntary administration of medication, other than psychotropic medication, and
involuntary medical treatment that is in the ward's best interest. In determining
whether medication or medical treatment is in the ward's best interest, the guardian
shall consider the invasiveness of the medication or treatment and the likely benefits and
side effects of the medication or treatment. A guardian may not consent to involuntary
administration of psychotropic medication unless the guardian has been authorized to do
so under s. 55.14.
Transfers of Protectively Placed Persons
Under current law, a person who is protectively placed in a facility may be
transferred between placement units or from a placement unit to a medical facility (other
than a locked unit or a facility providing acute psychiatric treatment) by a guardian or
placement facility without approval by a court. When a transfer is made by a placement
facility, 24 hours' prior written notice of the transfer shall be provided to the guardian,
when feasible. If it is not feasible to notify the guardian in advance, written notice must
be provided immediately upon transfer, and notice must also be provided to the court and
the board under s. 55.02, or the board's designated agency, within a reasonable period of
time not to exceed 48 hours from the time of transfer.
Currently, if a guardian, ward or attorney, or other interested person objects to the
transfer by petition, the court must order a hearing within 96 hours after filing of the
petition, to determine whether the transfer is consistent with the requirements in s. 55.06
(9) (a) and is necessary for the best interests of the ward.
This bill creates definitions of "protective placement facility" and "protective
placement unit". A "protective placement facility" is defined as a facility to which a court
may order a person to be protectively placed under s. 55.12 for the primary purpose of
residential care and custody. A "protective placement unit" is defined as a ward, wing,
or other designated part of a placement facility.
This bill provides that transfers between placement units, between placement
facilities, or from a placement facility to a medical facility (provided that the medical
facility is not a psychiatric facility), may be made by a county department that placed the
individual or the DHFS, in addition to a guardian or placement facility. However, if such
a transfer is made, 10 days' prior written notice must be given by the transferring entity
to the guardian, the county department, the department, and the placement facility.
Further, this bill requires that the county department, the department, or a
placement facility making such a transfer must obtain the prior written consent of the
guardian. If an emergency precludes providing the required prior written notice, or
precludes obtaining the guardian's prior written consent, written notice must be provided
immediately upon transfer.
Also, the bill requires an entity who seeks a transfer of a protective placement to
obtain the prior written consent of the county department if the transfer is to a facility
that is more costly to the county. This requirement does not apply in the case of an
emergency transfer.
Under the bill, if an individual under protective placement, the individual's
guardian or attorney, or other interested person files a petition specifying objections to
a transfer, the court must order a hearing within 10 days after filing the petition.
For transfers, the purpose of the hearing is to determine whether the proposed
placement meets the standards of s. 55.12; is in the least restrictive environment
consistent with the person's needs and with the factors in s. 55.12 (3), (4), and (5) or, if
the transfer is to an intermediate facility or nursing facility, is in the most integrated
setting; and is in the best interests of the ward.
The bill also sets forth the options for a court order on a transfer petition.
Modification and Termination of Protective Placements
Current law, under s. 55.06 (10) (b), sets forth limited procedures for modification
and termination of a protective placement. That statute allows the department, an
agency, a guardian or ward, or any other interested person to petition the court for
modification or termination of a protective placement at any time. The petition must be
heard if a hearing has not been held within the previous 6 months but a hearing may be
held at any time in the discretion of the court. The petition must be heard within 21 days
of its receipt by the court.
This bill provides more detailed procedures for modification or termination of a
protective placement or an order for protective services.
The bill requires the following:
Modification of Protective Placement
1. A petition for modification of an order for protective placement may be filed by
an individual subject to a protective placement; the individual's guardian or guardian ad
litem; the DHFS; the county department that placed the individual; a contractual agency;
or any interested person.
2. The petition must be served on the individual; the individual's guardian; the
individual's legal counsel and guardian ad litem, if any; and the county department.
3. The petition must contain specific allegations, depending on whether the
individual is under a protective placement order or court-ordered protective services.
4. A hearing on the petition must be held within 21 days after the filing of the
petition, if a hearing on a protective placement petition or transfer has not been held
within the previous 6 months.
5. The hearing must comply with the requirements of s. 55.10 (4), which sets forth
rights in a protective placement proceeding.
6. The order must contain specific findings regarding whether the person currently
meets the standard for protective placement or court-ordered protective services.
7. If the person continues to meet the standard for protective placement or
court-ordered protective services, the court must either continue the order or modify the
order so that the placement or services are consistent with the person's needs if the
person's needs have changed.
8. Orders for continuation or modification of protective services must be consistent
with the factors in s. 55.12 (3), (4), and (5).
9. If the person does not meet the standard for protective placement or protective
services, the order must require termination of the protective placement or court-ordered
protective services.
10. Notice of the order must be provided to the individual; the individual's
guardian, guardian ad litem, and legal counsel, if any; and the residential facility, if the
person receives services in such a facility.
11. The transfer provisions may be used if the modification sought is a transfer of
an individual between placement units, between placement facilities, or from a
placement unit to a medical facility, and if the petitioner is an entity authorized to initiate
such a transfer under s. 55.15.
Termination of Protective Placement or Court-Ordered Protective Services
The provisions described above pertaining to who may petition, the contents of the
petition, service of the petition, and requirement for conducting the hearing for
modification of protective placement or court-ordered protective services apply to
petitions for termination of placement or services.
The court may make one of the following orders after a hearing on a petition for
termination of protective placement or services:
1. If the individual continues to meet the standards under s. 55.08 (1) and the
placement is in the least restrictive environment consistent with the person's needs and
with the factors under s. 55.12 (3), (4), and (5), order continuation of the person's
protective placement in the same facility.
2. If the individual continues to meet the standards under s. 55.08 (1) but the
placement is not in an environment consistent with the person's needs and with the
factors under s. 55.12 (3), (4), and (5), the court shall transfer the person to a facility that
is in the least restrictive environment consistent with the person's needs and with the
factors in current s. 55.12 (3), (4), and (5). In addition to this option, the court may also
order protective services.
3. If the individual no longer meets the standard in current s. 55.06 (2), the court
shall terminate the protective placement. If the placement is terminated, the court must
either order protective services or ensure the development of a proper living arrangement
for the person if the individual is being transferred or discharged from his or her current
residential facility.
If the person who is the subject of the petition is under an order for protective
services, the court may order continuation of the protective services order if the person
continues to meet the standard under s. 55.08 (2); order that the protective services be
provided in a manner more consistent with the person's needs; or terminate the order for
protective services if the person no longer meets the standard under s. 55.08 (2).
Annual Reviews of Protective Placements
This bill establishes the requirements and procedures for annual reviews of
protective placements as required by State ex rel. Watts v. Combined Community Services,
122 Wis. 2d 65, 365 N.W.2d 104 (1985) and County of Dunn v. Goldie H., 245 Wis. 2d 538,
629 N.W.2d 189 (2001).
County Department Review and Report
The bill requires the county department of the county of residence of any individual
who is protectively placed to annually review the status of the individual. If, in an annual
review, the individual or his or her guardian or guardian ad litem request modification
or termination of the placement and the court provides a full due process hearing, or a
full due process hearing is provided pursuant to a petition for modification or termination
of the protective placement, the county is not required to review the status of the
individual until one year after the court issues a final order after the full due process
hearing.
The county of residence of an individual whose placement is in a different county
may enter into an agreement under which the county of placement performs all or a part
of the county duties specified in the bill.
The county review must include a written evaluation of the physical, mental, and
social condition of the individual and the service needs of the individual. The review must
be made part of the individual's permanent record. The county department must inform
the individual's guardian of the review and invite the individual and his or her guardian
to submit comments concerning the individual's need for protective placement or
protective services. In performing the review, the county department or contractual
agency staff member performing the review must visit the individual and must contact
the individual's guardian. The review may not be conducted by a person who is an
employee of the facility in which the individual resides.
By the first day of the 11th month after the initial order is made for protective
placement for an individual, and annually thereafter, the county must do all of the
following:
1. File a report of the review with the court that ordered the protective placement.
2. File with the court a petition for annual review of the protective placement.
3. Provide the report to the individual and the individual's guardian.
The report must contain information on all of the following:
1. The functional abilities and disabilities of the individual at the time the review
is made including the needs of the individual for health, social, or rehabilitation services,
and the level of supervision needed.
2. The ability of community services to provide adequate support for the
individual's needs.
3. The ability of the individual to live in a less restrictive setting.
4. Whether sufficient services are available to support the individual and meet the
individual's needs in the community and if so, an estimate of the cost of such services,
including the use of county funds.
5. Whether the protective placement order should be terminated or the individual
should be placed in another residential facility with adequate support services that places
fewer restrictions on the individual's personal freedom, is closer to the individual's home
community or more adequately meets the individual's needs, including any
recommendation that is made during the reporting period by the department with
respect to termination of the protective placement or placement of the individual in
another residential facility.
6. A summary of the comments of the individual and the individual's guardian and
the county's response to those comments.
7. The comments, if any, of any staff member at the facility in which the individual
is placed which are relevant to the review of the individual's placement.
Responsibilities of the Guardian Ad Litem
The court is required to appoint a guardian ad litem after it receives the report from
the county described above. The guardian ad litem is required to do all of the following:
1. Review the report filed by the county, the annual report of the guardian, and any
other relevant reports on the individual's condition and placement.
2. Meet with the individual and contact the individual's guardian and orally
explain to the individual and guardian all of the following:
a. The procedure for review of protective placement.
b. The right to appointment of legal counsel.
c. The right to request performance of an independent evaluation.
d. The contents of the report submitted to the court by the county.
e. That a change in or termination of protective placement may be ordered by the
court.
f. The right to a hearing and an explanation that the individual or the individual's
guardian may request a full due process hearing.
The guardian ad litem must provide all of the information described above to the
individual and the individual's guardian in writing.
3. Review the individual's condition, placement, and rights with the individual's
guardian.
4. Ascertain whether the individual wishes to exercise any of his or her rights (the
right to appointment of legal counsel, to request an independent evaluation, and to a full
due process hearing).
5. File a written report with the court within 30 days after appointment that
includes a discussion of whether the individual appears to continue to meet the standards
for protective placement and whether the protective placement is in the least restrictive
environment that is consistent with the individual's needs. The report must also state
whether any of the following applies:
a. The guardian ad litem, the individual, or the individual's guardian request an
independent evaluation.
b. The individual or the individual's guardian requests modification or
termination of the protective placement.
c. The individual or the individual's guardian requests, or the guardian ad litem
recommends, that legal counsel be appointed for the individual.
d. The individual or his or her guardian or guardian ad litem requests a full due
process hearing.
6. Certify to the court that he or she has complied with the requirements described
under items 1., 2., 3., and 4., above.
Court Review of Reports, Hearing, and Order
The bill requires the court that orders protective placement for an individual to
review, not more than 12 months after the initial order for protective placement and
annually thereafter, the reports of the county and the guardian ad litem, described above,
and the annual report filed by the guardian under s. 880.38 (3). In its review, the court
must determine whether any of the following is necessary:
1. Performance of an independent evaluation of the physical, mental, and social
condition of the individual, and the individual's service needs. If the court determines
that an independent evaluation is necessary, the evaluation shall be performed at the
expense of the individual unless the individual is indigent. If the individual is indigent,
the evaluation is performed at the expense of the responsible county department. The
court must order the performance of an independent evaluation if any of the following
applies:
a. The report submitted by the county is not timely filed or the court determines
that the report fails to meet the statutory requirements.
b. Following review of the guardian ad litem's report, the court determines that
independent evaluation is necessary.
c. The individual or the individual's guardian or guardian ad litem requests an
independent evaluation.
2. Obtaining any other information with respect to the individual.
3. Appointment of legal counsel. If the court appoints legal counsel and it appears
that the individual is indigent, the court shall refer the individual to the authority for
indigency determinations under s. 977.07 (1). The court must order legal counsel for an
individual if any of the following applies:
a. Following review of the guardian ad litem's report, the court determines that
legal counsel for the individual is necessary.
b. The individual or the individual's guardian or guardian ad litem requests
appointment of legal counsel.
4. Holding of a full due process hearing.
Upon completion of its review, the court must order either a summary hearing or
a full due process hearing. A summary hearing may be held in court or may be held by
other means such as by telephone or by a videoconference. The court must hold a full due
process hearing if any of the following applies:
a. The individual or the individual's guardian or guardian ad litem requests a full
due process hearing.
b. The report of the guardian ad litem indicates that the individual no longer meets
standards for protective placement.
c. The report of the guardian ad litem indicates that the current placement is not
in the least restrictive environment consistent with the individual's needs.
d. The report of the guardian ad litem indicates that the individual objects to the
current placement.
