LRB-5479/1
SWB:wlj&cdc
2023 - 2024 LEGISLATURE
January 11, 2024 - Introduced by Senators James and Quinn, cosponsored by
Representatives Dittrich, Behnke, Duchow, Kurtz, Madison, O'Connor and
Snyder. Referred to Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse
Prevention, Children and Families.
SB913,1,4 1An Act to create 49.46 (2) (b) 14c., 49.46 (2) (bv) and 51.044 of the statutes;
2relating to: psychiatric residential treatment facilities, providing an
3exemption from emergency rule procedures, and granting rule-making
4authority.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill establishes a Department of Health Services certification process for
psychiatric residential treatment facilities. The bill defines a psychiatric residential
treatment facility as a non-hospital facility that provides inpatient comprehensive
mental health treatment services to individuals under the age of 21 who, due to
mental illness, substance use, or severe emotional disturbance, need treatment that
can most effectively be provided in a residential treatment facility. Psychiatric
residential treatment facilities must be certified by DHS to operate. The bill requires
DHS to include a request for $500,000 of annual funding for the purpose of
implementing the regulations described in the bill in its 2025-27 budget request.
The bill also provides that services through a psychiatric residential treatment
facility are reimbursable under the Medical Assistance program. The bill requires
DHS to submit to the federal government any request for federal approval necessary
to provide the reimbursement for services by a psychiatric residential treatment
facility under the Medical Assistance program. The Medical Assistance program is
a joint federal and state program administered by DHS that provides health care
services to individuals with limited financial resources.

For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB913,1 1Section 1. 49.46 (2) (b) 14c. of the statutes is created to read:
SB913,2,32 49.46 (2) (b) 14c. Subject to par. (bv), services by a psychiatric residential
3treatment facility.
SB913,2 4Section 2. 49.46 (2) (bv) of the statutes is created to read:
SB913,2,125 49.46 (2) (bv) The department shall submit to the federal department of health
6and human services any request for a state plan amendment, waiver, or other federal
7approval necessary to provide reimbursement for services by a psychiatric
8residential treatment facility. If the federal department of health and human
9services approves the request or if no federal approval is necessary, the department
10shall provide reimbursement under par. (b) 14c. If the federal department of health
11and human services disapproves the request, the department may not provide
12reimbursement for services under par. (b) 14c.
SB913,3 13Section 3. 51.044 of the statutes is created to read:
SB913,2,19 1451.044 Psychiatric residential treatment facilities. (1) Definition. In
15this section, “psychiatric residential treatment facility” is a non-hospital facility
16that provides inpatient comprehensive mental health treatment services to
17individuals under the age of 21 who, due to mental illness, substance use, or severe
18emotional disturbance, need treatment that can most effectively be provided in a
19residential treatment facility.
SB913,3,2 20(2) Certification required; exemption. (a) No person may operate a
21psychiatric residential treatment facility without a certification from the

1department. The department may limit the number of certifications it grants to
2operate a psychiatric residential treatment facility.
SB913,3,43 (b) A psychiatric residential treatment facility that has a certification from the
4department under this section is not subject to facility regulation under ch. 48.
SB913,3,5 5(3) Rules. The department may promulgate rules to implement this section.
SB913,4 6Section 4. Nonstatutory provisions.
SB913,3,197 (1) Emergency rules on psychiatric residential treatment facilities. The
8department of health services may promulgate emergency rules under s. 227.24
9implementing certification of psychiatric residential treatment facilities under s.
1051.044, including development of a new provider type and a reimbursement model
11for psychiatric residential treatment facilities under the Medical Assistance
12program under subch. IV of ch. 49. Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (a) and (3), the
13department of health services is not required to provide evidence that promulgating
14a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation
15of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding
16of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection. Notwithstanding s.
17227.24 (1) (c) and (2), emergency rules promulgated under this subsection remain in
18effect until July 1, 2025, or the date on which permanent rules take effect, whichever
19is sooner.
SB913,3,2320 (2) 2025-27 biennial budget request. In submitting information under s. 16.42
21for purposes of the 2025-27 biennial budget bill, the department of health services
22shall include a request for $500,000 each fiscal year for the purpose of implementing
23s. 51.044.
SB913,3,2424 (End)
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