51.30(4)(d)4.
4. At the time of discharge all individuals shall be informed by the director of the treatment facility or such person's designee of their rights as provided in this subsection.
51.30(4)(dm)
(dm)
Destruction, damage, falsification or concealment of treatment records. No person may do any of the following:
51.30(4)(dm)2.
2. Conceal or withhold a treatment record with intent to prevent its release to the subject individual under
par. (d), to his or her guardian appointed under
ch. 880 or to persons with the informed written consent of the subject individual or with intent to prevent or obstruct an investigation or prosecution.
51.30(4)(dm)3.
3. Intentionally destroy or damage records in order to prevent or obstruct an investigation or prosecution.
51.30(4)(e)
(e)
Notation of release of information. Each time written information is released from a treatment record, a notation shall be made in the record by the custodian thereof that includes the following: the name of the person to whom the information was released; the identification of the information released; the purpose of the release; and the date of the release. The subject individual shall have access to such release data as provided in
par. (d).
51.30(4)(f)
(f)
Correction of information. A subject individual, or the parent, guardian or person in the place of a parent of a minor, or the guardian of an incompetent may, after having gained access to treatment records, challenge the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or relevance of factual information in his or her treatment records and request in writing that the facility maintaining the record correct the challenged information. Such request shall be granted or denied within 30 days by the director of the treatment facility, the director of the county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437, or the secretary depending upon which person has custody of the record. Reasons for denial of the requested changes shall be given by the responsible officer and the individual shall be informed of any applicable grievance procedure or court review procedure. If the request is denied, the individual, parent, guardian or person in the place of a parent shall be allowed to insert into the record a statement correcting or amending the information at issue. The statement shall become a part of the record and shall be released whenever the information at issue is released.
51.30(4)(g)
(g)
Applicability. Paragraphs (a),
(b),
(c),
(dm) and
(e) apply to all treatment records, including those on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, electromagnetic or digital information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics.
51.30(5)(a)(a)
Consent for release of information. The parent, guardian, or person in the place of a parent of a minor or the guardian of an adult adjudged incompetent under
ch. 880 may consent to the release of confidential information in court or treatment records. A minor who is aged 14 or more may consent to the release of confidential information in court or treatment records without the consent of the minor's parent, guardian or person in the place of a parent. Consent under this paragraph must conform to the requirements of
sub. (2).
51.30(5)(b)1.1. The guardian of an individual who is adjudged incompetent under
ch. 880 shall have access to the individual's court and treatment records at all times. The parent, guardian or person in the place of a parent of a developmentally disabled minor shall have access to the minor's court and treatment records at all times except in the case of a minor aged 14 or older who files a written objection to such access with the custodian of the records. The parent, guardian or person in the place of a parent of other minors shall have the same rights of access as provided to subject individuals under this section.
51.30(5)(b)2.
2. A minor upon reaching the age of 14 shall have access to his or her own court and treatment records, as provided in this section. A minor under the age of 14 shall have access to court records but only in the presence of parent, guardian, counsel, guardian ad litem or judge and shall have access to treatment records as provided in this section but only in the presence of parent, guardian, counsel, guardian ad litem or staff member of the treatment facility.
51.30(5)(bm)
(bm)
Parents denied physical placement. A parent who has been denied periods of physical placement with a child under
s. 767.24 (4) (b) or
767.325 (4) may not have the rights of a parent or guardian under
pars. (a) and
(b) with respect to access to that child's court or treatment records.
51.30(5)(c)
(c)
Juvenile court records. The court records of juveniles admitted or committed under this chapter shall be kept separately from all other juvenile court records.
51.30(5)(d)
(d)
Other juvenile records. Section 48.78 does not apply to records covered by this section.
51.30(5)(e)
(e)
Temporary guardian for adult incompetent. If an adult is believed to be incompetent to consent to the release of records under this section, but no guardian has been appointed for such individual, consent for the release of records may be given by a temporary guardian who is appointed for the purpose of deciding upon the release of records.
51.30(5)(f)
(f)
Applicability. Paragraph (a) and
(bm) to
(e) apply to all treatment records, including those on which written, drawn, printed, spoken, visual, electromagnetic or digital information is recorded or preserved, regardless of physical form or characteristics.
51.30(6)
(6) Privileges. Sections 905.03 and
905.04 supersede this section with respect to communications between physicians and patients and between attorneys and clients.
51.30(7)
(7) Criminal commitments. Except as otherwise specifically provided, this section applies to the treatment records of persons who are committed under
chs. 971 and
975.
51.30(8)
(8) Grievances. Failure to comply with any provisions of this section may be processed as a grievance under
s. 51.61 (5). However, use of the grievance procedure is not required before bringing any civil action or filing a criminal complaint under this section.
51.30(9)
(9) Actions for violations; damages; injunction. 51.30(9)(a)(a) Any person, including the state or any political subdivision of the state, violating this section shall be liable to any person damaged as a result of the violation for such damages as may be proved, together with exemplary damages of not more than $1,000 for each violation and such costs and reasonable actual attorney fees as may be incurred by the person damaged. A custodian of records incurs no liability under this paragraph for the release of records in accordance with this section while acting in good faith.
51.30(9)(b)
(b) In any action brought under
par. (a) in which the court determines that the violator acted in a manner that was knowing and willful, the violator shall be liable for such damages as may be proved together with exemplary damages of not more than $25,000 for each violation, together with costs and reasonable actual attorney fees as may be incurred. It is not a prerequisite to an action under this subsection that the plaintiff suffer or be threatened with actual damages.
51.30(9)(c)
(c) An individual may bring an action to enjoin any violation of this section or to compel compliance with this section, and may in the same action seek damages as provided in this subsection. The individual may recover costs and reasonable actual attorney fees as may be incurred in the action, if he or she prevails.
51.30(10)(a)(a) Whoever does any of the following may be fined not more than $25,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both:
51.30(10)(a)1.
1. Requests or obtains confidential information under this section under false pretenses.
51.30(10)(a)2.
2. Discloses confidential information under this section with knowledge that the disclosure is unlawful and is not reasonably necessary to protect another from harm.
51.30(10)(b)
(b) Whoever negligently discloses confidential information under this section is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 for each violation.
51.30(10)(bm)
(bm) Whoever intentionally discloses confidential information under this section, knowing that the information is confidential, and discloses the information for pecuniary gain may be fined not more than $100,000 or imprisoned not more than 3 years and 6 months, or both.
51.30(11)
(11) Discipline of employees. Any employee of the department, a county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 or a public treatment facility who violates this section or any rule promulgated pursuant to this section may be subject to discharge or suspension without pay.
51.30(12)
(12) Rule making. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.
51.30 History
History: 1975 c. 430;
1977 c. 26 s.
75;
1977 c. 61,
428;
1979 c. 110 s.
60 (1);
1983 a. 27,
292,
398,
538;
1985 a. 29,
176;
1985 a. 292 s.
3;
1985 a. 332 ss.
97,
98,
251 (1);
1987 a. 352,
355,
362,
367,
399,
403;
1989 a. 31,
334,
336;
1991 a. 39,
189;
1993 a. 196,
445,
479;
1995 a. 169,
440;
1997 a. 35,
231,
237,
283,
292;
1999 a. 32,
78,
79,
109;
2001 a. 16,
38.
51.30 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also chs.
HFS 1 and
92, Wis. adm. code.
51.30 Annotation
By entering a plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, a defendant lost the physician-patient privilege by virtue of s. 905.04 (4) (c) and lost confidentiality of treatment records under s. 51.30 (4) (b) 4. State v. Taylor,
142 Wis. 2d 36,
417 N.W.2d 192 (Ct. App. 1987).
51.30 Annotation
Sec. 905.04 supersedes this section with respect to all relationships listed in s. 905.04 and is not strictly limited to the physician-patient relationship. State v. S.H.
159 Wis. 2d 730,
465 N.W.2d 238 (Ct. App. 1990).
51.30 Annotation
The release of court records "pursuant to lawful order of the court" under sub. (3) (b) is allowable when access fits within or is comparable to one of the exceptions for treatment records under sub. (4) (b) or when a significant interrelationship exists between the records of the civil commitment proceeding at issue and a criminal proceeding involving a violent felony pending prior to the civil commitment. Mental condition of Billy Jo W.
182 Wis. 2d 616,
514 N.W.2d 707 (1994).
51.30 Annotation
Information contained in a treatment record but obtained from another source is not subject to the treatment-records privilege under this section, except that all information that identifies a person as a patient is privileged. Daniel A. v. Walter H.
195 Wis. 2d 971,
537 N.W.2d 103 (Ct. App. 1995).
51.30 Annotation
This section provides an exception to the open records law. Nothing in this section or rules adopted under this section suggests that the director is to weigh the harm to the public interest against the benefit to the public in deciding on access to records. State ex rel. Savinski v. Kimble,
221 Wis. 2d 833,
586 N.W.2d 36 (Ct. App. 1998).
51.30 Annotation
The duty to report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect under s. 48.981 (3) (a) prevails over any inconsistent terms in s. 51.30. 68 Atty. Gen. 342.
51.30 Annotation
Except for those services for which parental consent is necessary under s. 51.47 (2), a physician or health care facility may release outpatient or detoxification services information only with consent of a minor patient, provided the minor is 12 years of age or over.
77 Atty. Gen. 187.
51.35
51.35
Transfers and discharges. 51.35(1)
(1)
Transfer of patients and residents. 51.35(1)(a)(a) The department or the county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 may transfer any patient or resident who is committed to it, or who is admitted to a facility under its supervision or operating under an agreement with it, between treatment facilities or from a facility into the community if such transfer is consistent with reasonable medical and clinical judgment and consistent with
s. 51.22 (5). The transfer shall be made in accordance with
par. (e). Terms and conditions which will benefit the patient or resident may be imposed as part of a transfer to a less restrictive treatment alternative. A patient or resident who is committed to the department or a county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 may be required to take medications and receive treatment, subject to the right of the patient or resident to refuse medication and treatment under
s. 51.61 (1) (g) and
(h), through a community support program as a term or condition of a transfer. The patient or resident shall be informed at the time of transfer of the consequences of violating such terms and conditions, including possible transfer back to a facility which imposes a greater restriction on personal freedom of the patient or resident.
51.35(1)(b)
(b) In addition to the requirements in
par. (a), a transfer of a patient in a mental health institute or center for the developmentally disabled by the department is subject to the approval of the appropriate county department under
ss. 51.42 and
51.437 to which the patient was committed or through which the patient was admitted to the facility, if any.
51.35(1)(bm)
(bm) Notwithstanding
par. (b), transfer of a patient under the age of 22 years to a center for the developmentally disabled may be made only to the central center for the developmentally disabled unless the department authorizes the transfer of the patient to the northern or southern center for the developmentally disabled.
51.35(1)(c)
(c) The department may, without approval of the county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 and notwithstanding
par. (d) 3., transfer any patient from a treatment facility to another treatment facility when the condition of the patient requires such transfer without delay. The department shall notify the appropriate county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 that the transfer has been made. Any patient so transferred may be returned to the treatment facility from which the transfer was made, upon orders from the department or the county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437, when such return would be in the best interests of the patient.
51.35(1)(d)1.1. The department may, without approval of the appropriate county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437, transfer any patient from a state treatment facility or other inpatient facility to an approved treatment facility which is less restrictive of the patient's personal freedom.
51.35(1)(d)2.
2. Transfer under this subsection may be made only if the transfer is consistent with the requirements of
par. (a), and the department finds that the appropriate county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 is unable to locate an approved treatment facility in the community, or that such county department has acted in an arbitrary or capricious manner to prevent the transfer of the patient out of the state treatment facility or other inpatient facility contrary to medical and clinical judgment.
51.35(1)(d)3.
3. A transfer of a patient, made under authority of this subsection, may be made only after the department has notified the county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 of its intent to transfer a patient in accordance with this subsection. The patient's guardian, if any, or if a minor his or her parent or person in the place of a parent shall be notified.
51.35(1)(e)1.1. Whenever any transfer between different treatment facilities results in a greater restriction of personal freedom for the patient and whenever the patient is transferred from outpatient to inpatient status, the department or the county department specified under
par. (a) shall inform the patient both orally and in writing of his or her right to contact an attorney and a member of his or her immediate family, the right to have counsel provided at public expense, as provided under
s. 967.06 and
ch. 977, if the patient is a child or is indigent, and the right to petition a court in the county in which the patient is located or the committing court for a review of the transfer.
51.35(1)(e)2.
2. In addition to the rights and requirements specified in
subd. 1., within 24 hours after any transfer which results in a greater restriction of personal freedom for the patient for a period of more than 5 days or any transfer from outpatient to inpatient status for a period of more than 5 days and if the transfer is due to an alleged violation of a condition of a transfer to less restrictive treatment, the department or the county department specified under
par. (a) shall ensure that the patient is provided a written statement of the reasons for the transfer and the facts supporting the transfer and oral and written notice of all of the following:
51.35(1)(e)2.c.
c. The patient's right to have counsel provided at public expense, as provided under
s. 967.06 and
ch. 977, if the patient is a child or is indigent.
51.35(1)(e)2.d.
d. The rights of the patient's counsel to investigate the facts specified in the written statement of reasons for the transfer, to consult with the patient prior to the patient's waiving a hearing under
subd. 3., to represent the patient at all proceedings on issues relating to the transfer, and to take any legal steps necessary to challenge the transfer.
51.35(1)(e)3.
3. Within 10 days after the transfer specified in
subd. 2., a hearing shall be held on whether the form of treatment resulting from the transfer is least restrictive of the patient's personal liberty, consistent with the treatment needs of the patient, and on whether the patient violated a condition of a transfer to less restrictive treatment that resulted in a transfer under
subd. 2. The hearing shall be held before a hearing officer designated by the director of the facility to which the patient has been transferred. The hearing officer may not be a person who has had direct responsibility for making treatment decisions for or providing treatment to the subject individual. The patient may appear at the hearing, either personally or by counsel, and may present and cross-examine witnesses and present documentary evidence. The hearing may be waived by the patient only after consultation with counsel. Any waiver made shall be in writing and witnessed by the patient's counsel.
51.35(1)(e)4.
4. The department or the county department seeking the transfer has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the form of treatment resulting from the transfer is least restrictive of the patient's personal liberty, consistent with the treatment needs of the patient, and that the patient violated a condition of a transfer to less restrictive treatment that resulted in a transfer under
subd. 2. Hearsay evidence is admissible if the hearing officer makes a determination that the evidence is reliable. Hearsay evidence may not be the sole basis for the decision of the hearing officer.
51.35(1)(e)5.
5. The hearing officer shall, as soon as possible after the hearing, issue a written statement setting forth his or her decision, the reasons for the decision and the facts upon which the decision is based. Within 30 days after the date on which the statement is issued, the patient or the department or the county department seeking the transfer may appeal the decision to a court in the county in which the facility to which the patient has been transferred is located or to the committing court.
51.35(1)(e)6.
6. This paragraph does not apply to a return to a more restrictive facility if the return occurs within 7 days after a temporary transfer from that facility and the return was part of a previously established plan of which the patient was notified at the time of the temporary transfer. This paragraph does not apply to a return of an inmate to a state or county treatment facility under
s. 51.20 (13) (cm).
51.35(1)(f)
(f) The transfer of a patient or resident to a medical facility for nonpsychiatric medical services does not constitute a transfer within the meaning of this chapter and does not require the procedural protections for return to the original facility which are required by this section for other transfers.
51.35(2)
(2) Transfer of certain developmentally disabled patients. The department may authorize a transfer of a patient from a center for the developmentally disabled to a state treatment facility if the patient is mentally ill and exhibits conduct which constitutes a danger as described in
s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. to himself or herself or to others in the treatment facility where he or she is present. The department shall file a statement of emergency detention with the committing court within 24 hours after receiving the person for emergency detention. The statement shall conform to the requirements specified in
s. 51.15 (4).
51.35(3)
(3) Transfer of certain juveniles from secured juvenile facilities. 51.35(3)(a)(a) A licensed psychologist of a secured correctional facility, a secured child caring institution, or a secured group home, or a licensed physician of the department of corrections, who has reason to believe that any individual confined in the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution, or secured group home is, in his or her opinion, in need of services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug dependency or in need of psychiatric services, and who has obtained voluntary consent to make a transfer for treatment, shall make a report, in writing, to the superintendent of the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution, or secured group home, stating the nature and basis of the belief and verifying the consent. In the case of a minor age 14 or older who is in need of services for developmental disability or who is in need of psychiatric services, the minor and the minor's parent or guardian shall consent unless the minor is admitted under
s. 51.13 (1) (c) 1. In the case of a minor age 14 or older who is in need of services for alcoholism or drug dependency or a minor under the age of 14 who is in need of services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug dependency or in need of psychiatric services, only the minor's parent or guardian need consent unless the minor is admitted under
s. 51.13 (1) (c). The superintendent shall inform, orally and in writing, the minor and the minor's parent or guardian, that transfer is being considered and shall inform them of the basis for the request and their rights as provided in
s. 51.13 (3). If the department of corrections, upon review of a request for transfer, determines that transfer is appropriate, that department shall immediately notify the department of health and family services and, if the department of health and family services consents, the department of corrections may immediately transfer the individual. The department of health and family services shall file a petition under
s. 51.13 (4) (a) in the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under
chs. 48 and
938 of the county where the treatment facility is located.
51.35(3)(b)
(b) The court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under
chs. 48 and
938 shall determine, based on the allegations of the petition and accompanying documents, whether the transfer of the minor to an inpatient facility is appropriate and consistent with the needs of the minor and, if the minor is 14 years of age or older and is being transferred for the purpose of receiving services for developmental disability or psychiatric services, whether the transfer is voluntary on the part of the minor. If the court is unable to make those determinations based on the petition and accompanying documents, the court may order additional information to be produced as necessary to make those determinations within 14 days after admission, or the court may hold a hearing within 14 days after admission. If a notation of the minor's unwillingness appears on the face of the petition, or if a hearing has been requested by the minor or by the minor's counsel, guardian ad litem, parent, or guardian, the court shall hold a hearing and appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem for the minor as provided in
s. 51.13 (4) (d). At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall approve or disapprove the request for transfer. If the minor is under the continuing jurisdiction of the court of another county, the court may order the case transferred together with all appropriate records to that court.
51.35(3)(c)
(c) A licensed psychologist of a secured correctional facility, a secured child caring institution, or a secured group home, or a licensed physician of the department of corrections, who has reason to believe that any individual confined in the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution, or secured group home, in his or her opinion, is mentally ill, drug dependent, or developmentally disabled and is dangerous as described in
s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2., or is an alcoholic and is dangerous as described in
s. 51.45 (13) (a) 1. and
2., shall file a written report with the superintendent of the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution, or secured group home, stating the nature and basis of the belief. If the superintendent, upon review of the allegations in the report, determines that transfer is appropriate, he or she shall file a petition according to
s. 51.20 or
51.45 in the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under
ch. 48 of the county where the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution, or secured group home is located. The court shall hold a hearing according to procedures provided in
s. 51.20 or
51.45 (13).
51.35(3)(d)
(d) Within a reasonable time before the expiration of the confinement of an individual who is transferred under
par. (a), if he or she is still in the treatment facility, the director shall make an application under
s. 51.20 or
51.45 (13) to the court of the county in which the hospital is located for an inquiry into the individual's mental and physical condition, and thereafter the proceedings shall be as in other applications under such provisions. Notwithstanding
ss. 51.20 (1) (b) and
51.45 (13) (a), the application of the director of the treatment facility alone is sufficient.
51.35(3)(e)
(e) The department of corrections may authorize emergency transfer of an individual from a secured correctional facility, a secured child caring institution, or a secured group home to a state treatment facility if there is cause to believe that the individual is mentally ill, drug dependent or developmentally disabled and exhibits conduct which constitutes a danger as described under
s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. a.,
b.,
c. or
d. to the individual or to others, is mentally ill, is dangerous and satisfies the standard under
s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. e. or is an alcoholic and is dangerous as provided in
s. 51.45 (13) (a) 1. and
2. The custodian of the sending secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution or secured group home shall execute a statement of emergency detention or petition for emergency commitment for the individual and deliver it to the receiving state treatment facility. The department of health and family services shall file the statement or petition with the court within 24 hours after the subject individual is received for detention or commitment. The statement or petition shall conform to
s. 51.15 (4) or
(5) or
51.45 (12) (b). After an emergency transfer is made, the director of the receiving facility may file a petition for continued commitment under
s. 51.20 (1) or
51.45 (13) or may return the individual to the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution or secured group home from which the transfer was made. As an alternative to this procedure, the procedure provided in
s. 51.15 or
51.45 (12) may be used, except that no individual may be released without the approval of the court which directed confinement in the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution or secured group home.
51.35(3)(f)
(f) A copy of the patient's rights established in
s. 51.61 shall be given and explained to the minor and his or her parent or guardian at the time of admission by the director of the facility or such person's designee.
51.35(3)(g)
(g) A minor 14 years of age or older who is transferred to a treatment facility under
par. (a) for the purpose of receiving services for developmental disability or psychiatric services may request in writing a return to the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution, or secured group home. In the case of a minor 14 years of age or older who is transferred to a treatment facility under
par. (a) for the purpose of receiving services for alcoholism or drug dependency or a minor under 14 years of age, who is transferred to a treatment facility under
par. (a) for the purpose of receiving services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug dependency, or psychiatric services, the parent or guardian may make the request. Upon receipt of a request for return from a minor 14 years of age or older, the director shall immediately notify the minor's parent or guardian. The minor shall be returned to the secured correctional facility, secured child caring institution, or secured group home within 48 hours after submission of the request unless a petition or statement is filed for emergency detention, emergency commitment, involuntary commitment, or protective placement.
51.35(4)(a)(a) The county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 shall grant a discharge from an order of commitment when it determines that the patient no longer meets the standard for recommitment under
s. 51.20 (13) (g). The county department shall grant a discharge to a patient who is voluntarily admitted to an inpatient facility if the treatment director determines that treatment is no longer necessary or if the individual requests such discharge. Discharge or retention of a patient who is voluntarily admitted is subject to the procedures prescribed in
ss. 51.10 (5) and
51.13 (7).
51.35(4)(b)
(b) The department shall grant a discharge from commitment or from voluntary admission for patients committed or voluntarily admitted to a facility under control of the department. The standards applied by the department in granting a discharge shall be the same as those provided in
par. (a). The department may not discharge from a commitment an individual who has been committed to a county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 without first obtaining approval of that county department. The department may discharge a voluntarily admitted patient if the appropriate county department is notified. Transfers of patients may be made by the department in accordance with
sub. (1).
51.35(4)(c)
(c) The director of an inpatient facility may grant a discharge or may terminate services to any patient who is voluntarily admitted under
s. 51.10 or
51.13 when, on the advice of the treatment staff, such discharge or termination is in the best interests of the patient.
51.35(4)(d)
(d) The director of an inpatient facility may grant a discharge or may terminate services to any patient voluntarily admitted under
s. 51.10 or
51.13 when such patient requests a discharge. Such discharge shall conform to the requirements of
s. 51.10 (5) (c) or
51.13 (7).
51.35(4)(e)
(e) A discharge may be issued to a patient who participates in outpatient, aftercare, or follow-up treatment programs. The discharge may permit the patient to receive necessary medication, outpatient treatment, consultation and guidance from the issuing facility at the request of the patient. Such discharge is not subject to withdrawal by the issuing agency.
51.35(4)(f)
(f) Notice of discharge shall be filed with the committing court, if any, by the department or the board which granted the discharge. After such discharge, if it becomes necessary for the individual who is discharged to have further care and treatment, and such individual cannot be voluntarily admitted, a new commitment must be obtained, following the procedure for the original commitment.
51.35(4m)
(4m) Transfer or discharge of persons with chronic mental illness. The department or county department under
s. 51.42 or any person authorized to discharge or transfer patients under this section shall, prior to the discharge of a patient with chronic mental illness from an inpatient facility, or prior to the transfer of a patient with chronic mental illness from inpatient to outpatient status, with the patient's permission if the patient is a voluntary patient, do all of the following:
51.35(4m)(a)
(a) Refer the patient to the county department under
s. 51.42 which is responsible for the patient's care for referral to a community support program in the county to which the patient will be discharged or transferred for evaluation of the need for and feasibility of the provision of community-based services and of the need for and feasibility of the provision of aftercare services.
51.35(4m)(b)
(b) Assist the patient in applying for any public assistance for which he or she may qualify.
51.35(5)
(5) Residential living arrangements; transitionary services. The department and any person, director or board authorized to discharge or transfer patients under this section shall ensure that a proper residential living arrangement and the necessary transitionary services are available and provided for the patient being discharged or transferred. Under this subsection, a proper residential living arrangement may not include a shelter facility, as defined under
s. 16.352 (1) (d), unless the discharge or transfer to the shelter facility is made on an emergency basis for a period not to exceed 10 days.
51.35(6)(a)(a) When the department has notice that any person other than a prisoner is entitled to receive care and treatment in a U.S. department of veterans affairs facility, the person may petition the department of health and family services for a transfer to such facility, and that department may procure admission to such facility in accordance with
s. 45.30.
51.35(6)(b)
(b) If an individual who is committed under
s. 51.37 is entitled to receive care and treatment in a U.S. department of veterans affairs facility, the person may petition the department of health and family services for a transfer to such facility. If the department declines to grant the request, it shall give the person a written reply, stating the reasons for its position. The decision of the department is subject to review by the court which passed sentence or ordered commitment of the person.
51.35(7)
(7) Guardianship and protective services. Prior to discharge from any state treatment facility, the department shall review the possible need of a developmentally disabled, aged infirm or person with other like incapacities for protective services or placement under
ch. 55 after discharge, including the necessity for appointment of a guardian or limited guardian. The department shall petition for limited or full guardianship, or for protective services or placement for the person if needed. When the department makes a petition for guardianship under this subsection, it shall not be appointed as guardian.
