51.45(13)(o)
(o) All fees and expenses incurred under this section which are required to be assumed by the county shall be governed by
s. 51.20 (19).
51.45(13)(p)
(p) A record shall be made of all proceedings held under this subsection. Transcripts shall be made available under
SCR 71.04. The county department may in any case request a transcript.
51.45(14)
(14) Confidentiality of records of patients. 51.45(14)(a)(a) Except as otherwise provided in
s. 51.30, the registration and treatment records of alcoholism treatment programs and facilities shall remain confidential and are privileged to the patient. The application of
s. 51.30 is limited by any rule promulgated under
s. 51.30 (4) (c) for the purpose of protecting the confidentiality of alcoholism treatment records in conformity with federal requirements.
51.45(14)(b)
(b) Any person who violates this subsection shall forfeit not more than $5,000.
51.45(15)(a)(a) Except as provided in
s. 51.61 (2), a person being treated under this section does not thereby lose any legal rights.
51.45(15)(b)
(b) No provisions of this section may be deemed to contradict any rules or regulations governing the conduct of any inmate of a state or county correctional institution who is being treated in an alcoholic treatment program within the institution.
51.45(15)(c)
(c) A private or public general hospital may not refuse admission or treatment to a person in need of medical services solely because that person is an "alcoholic", "incapacitated by alcohol" or is an "intoxicated person" as defined in
sub. (2). This paragraph does not require a hospital to admit or treat the person if the hospital does not ordinarily provide the services required by the person. A private or public general hospital which violates this paragraph shall forfeit not more than $500.
51.45(16)(a)(a) Liability for payment for care, services and supplies provided under this section, the collection and enforcement of such payments, and the adjustment and settlement with the several counties for their proper share of all moneys collected under
s. 46.10, shall be governed exclusively by
s. 46.10.
51.45(16)(b)
(b) Payment for treatment of persons treated under
s. 302.38 shall be made under that section.
51.45(17)
(17) Applicability of other laws; procedure. 51.45(17)(a)(a) Nothing in this section affects any law, ordinance or rule the violation of which is punishable by fine, forfeiture or imprisonment.
51.45(17)(b)
(b) All administrative procedure followed by the secretary in the implementation of this section shall be in accordance with
ch. 227.
51.45(18)
(18) Construction. This section shall be so applied and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the subject of this section insofar as possible among states which enact similar laws.
51.45(19)
(19) Short title. This section may be cited as the "Alcoholism and Intoxication Treatment Act".
51.45 History
History: 1973 c. 198;
1975 c. 200,
428;
1975 c. 430 s.
80;
1977 c. 29;
1977 c. 187 ss.
44,
134,
135;
1977 c. 203 s.
106;
1977 c. 428;
1977 c. 449 s.
497; Sup. Ct. Order, 83 Wis. 2d xiii (1987);
1979 c. 32 s.
92 (11); Sup. Ct. Order, eff. 1-1-80;
1979 c. 221 ss.
417,
2200 (20);
1979 c. 300,
331,
356;
1981 c. 20;
1981 c. 79 s.
17;
1981 c. 289,
314;
1983 a. 27 ss.
1116 to
1121,
2202 (20);
1985 a. 29 s.
3202 (56);
1985 a. 139;
1985 a. 176 ss.
533 to
556,
615;
1985 a. 265;
1985 a. 332 s.
251 (1);
1987 a. 339,
366;
1989 a. 31,
336,
359;
1991 a. 39;
1993 a. 16,
27,
213,
451,
490;
1995 a. 27 ss.
3268,
3269,
9145 (1);
1995 a. 77,
225;
1997 a. 27,
35,
237;
1999 a. 9;
2001 a. 61;
2005 a. 22,
387,
444;
2007 a. 20;
2009 a. 180,
258,
302;
2013 a. 223,
246.
51.45 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
DHS 75, Wis. adm. code.
51.45 Note
Judicial Council Note, 1981: Reference to a "writ" of habeas corpus in sub. (13) (m) has been removed because that remedy is now available in an ordinary action. See s. 781.01, stats., and the note thereto. [Bill 613-A]
51.45 Annotation
A one-person petition under sub. (12) is sufficient for commitment only until the preliminary hearing; a 3-person petition under sub. (13) is required for commitment beyond that time period. In Matter of B.A.S.: State v. B.A.S.
134 Wis. 2d 291,
397 N.W.2d 114 (Ct. App. 1986).
51.45 Annotation
Criminal charges of bail jumping based solely on the consumption of alcohol do not violate this section. Sub. (1) is intended only to prevent prosecutions for public drunkenness. State ex rel. Jacobus v. State,
208 Wis. 2d 39,
559 N.W.2d 900 (1997),
94-2895.
51.45 Annotation
The requirement under sub. (13) (e) that a person sought to be committed have access to records and reports does not require the county to file the specified records with the trial court prior to a final hearing. County of Dodge v. Michael J.K.
209 Wis. 2d 499,
564 N.W.2d 350 (Ct. App. 1997),
96-2250.
51.45 Annotation
Persons incapacitated by alcohol who engage in disorderly conduct in a treatment facility may be so charged, but not merely for the purpose of arranging for their confinement in jail for security during detoxification. 64 Atty. Gen. 161.
51.45 Annotation
The revision of Wisconsin's law of alcoholism and intoxication. Robb, 58 MLR 88.
51.45 Annotation
Wisconsin's new alcoholism act encourages early voluntary treatment. 1974 WBB No. 3.
51.46
51.46
Priority for pregnant women for private treatment for alcohol or other drug abuse. For inpatient or outpatient treatment for alcohol or other drug abuse, the first priority for services that are available in privately operated facilities, whether on a voluntary or involuntary basis, is for pregnant women who suffer from alcoholism, alcohol abuse or drug dependency.
51.46 History
History: 1997 a. 292.
51.47
51.47
Alcohol and other drug abuse treatment for minors without parental consent. 51.47(1)
(1) Except as provided in
subs. (2) and
(3), any physician or health care facility licensed, approved, or certified by the state for the provision of health services may render preventive, diagnostic, assessment, evaluation, or treatment services for the abuse of alcohol or other drugs to a minor 12 years of age or over without obtaining the consent of or notifying the minor's parent or guardian and may render those services to a minor under 12 years of age without obtaining the consent of or notifying the minor's parent or guardian, but only if a parent with legal custody or guardian of the minor under 12 years of age cannot be found or there is no parent with legal custody of the minor under 12 years of age. An assessment under this subsection shall conform to the criteria specified in
s. 938.547 (4). Unless consent of the minor's parent or guardian is required under
sub. (2), the physician or health care facility shall obtain the minor's consent prior to billing a 3rd party for services under this section. If the minor does not consent, the minor shall be solely responsible for paying for the services, which the department shall bill to the minor under
s. 46.03 (18) (b).
51.47(2)
(2) The physician or health care facility shall obtain the consent of the minor's parent or guardian:
51.47(2)(a)
(a) Before performing any surgical procedure on the minor, unless the procedure is essential to preserve the life or health of the minor and the consent of the minor's parent or guardian is not readily obtainable.
51.47(2)(b)
(b) Before administering any controlled substances to the minor, except to detoxify the minor under
par. (c).
51.47(2)(c)
(c) Before admitting the minor to an inpatient treatment facility, unless the admission is to detoxify the minor for ingestion of alcohol or other drugs.
51.47(2)(d)
(d) If the period of detoxification of the minor under
par. (c) extends beyond 72 hours after the minor's admission as a patient.
51.47(3)
(3) The physician or health care facility shall notify the minor's parent or guardian of any services rendered under this section as soon as practicable.
51.47(4)
(4) No physician or health care facility rendering services under
sub. (1) is liable solely because of the lack of consent or notification of the minor's parent or guardian.
51.47 Annotation
Except for those services for which parental consent is necessary under sub. (2), a physician or health care facility may release outpatient or detoxification services information only with the consent of a minor patient, provided the minor is twelve years of age or over.
77 Atty. Gen. 187.
51.48
51.48
Alcohol and other drug testing, assessment, and treatment of minor without minor's consent. A minor's parent or guardian may consent to have the minor tested for the presence of alcohol or other drugs in the minor's body or to have the minor assessed by an approved treatment facility for the minor's abuse of alcohol or other drugs according to the criteria specified in
s. 938.547 (4). If, based on the assessment, the approved treatment facility determines that the minor is in need of treatment for the abuse of alcohol or other drugs, the approved treatment facility shall recommend a plan of treatment that is appropriate for the minor's needs and that provides for the least restrictive form of treatment consistent with the minor's needs. That treatment may consist of outpatient treatment, day treatment, or, if the minor is admitted in accordance with
s. 51.13, inpatient treatment. The parent or guardian of the minor may consent to the treatment recommended under this section. Consent of the minor for testing, assessment, or treatment under this section is not required.
51.48 History
History: 1999 a. 9;
2001 a. 16.
51.59
51.59
Incompetency not implied. 51.59(1)
(1) No person is deemed incompetent to manage his or her affairs, to contract, to hold professional, occupational or motor vehicle operator's licenses, to marry or to obtain a divorce, to vote, to make a will or to exercise any other civil right solely by reason of his or her admission to a facility in accordance with this chapter or detention or commitment under this chapter.
51.59(2)
(2) This section does not authorize an individual who has been involuntarily committed or detained under this chapter to refuse treatment during such commitment or detention, except as provided under
s. 51.61 (1) (g) and
(h).
51.59 History
History: 1977 c. 428;
1987 a. 366.
51.60
51.60
Appointment of counsel. 51.60(1)(a)(a) In any situation under this chapter in which an adult individual has a right to be represented by counsel, the individual shall be referred as soon as practicable to the state public defender, who shall appoint counsel for the individual under
s. 977.08 without a determination of indigency.
51.60(2)
(2) Minors. In any situation under this chapter in which a minor has a right to be represented by counsel, counsel for the minor shall be appointed as provided in
s. 48.23 (4).
51.60(3)
(3) Retained counsel. Notwithstanding
subs. (1) and
(2), an individual subject to proceedings under this chapter is entitled to retain counsel of his or her own choosing at his or her own expense.
51.60 History
History: 2007 a. 20.
51.605
51.605
Reimbursement for counsel provided by the state. 51.605(1)(1)
Inquiry. At or after the conclusion of a proceeding under this chapter in which the state public defender has provided counsel for an adult individual, the court may inquire as to the individual's ability to reimburse the state for the costs of representation. If the court determines that the individual is able to make reimbursement for all or part of the costs of representation, the court may order the individual to reimburse the state an amount not to exceed the maximum amount established by the public defender board under
s. 977.075 (4). Upon the court's request, the state public defender shall conduct a determination of indigency under
s. 977.07 and report the results of the determination to the court.
51.605(2)
(2) Payment. Reimbursement ordered under this section shall be made to the clerk of courts of the county where the proceedings took place. The clerk of courts shall transmit payments under this section to the county treasurer, who shall deposit 25 percent of the payment amount in the county treasury and transmit the remainder to the secretary of administration. Payments transmitted to the secretary of administration shall be deposited in the general fund and credited to the appropriation account under
s. 20.550 (1) (L).
51.605(3)
(3) Report. By January 31st of each year, the clerk of courts for each county shall report to the state public defender the total amount of reimbursements ordered under
sub. (1) in the previous calendar year and the total amount of reimbursements paid to the clerk under
sub. (2) in the previous year.
51.605 History
History: 2007 a. 20.
51.61
51.61
Patients rights. 51.61(1)(1) In this section, "patient" means any individual who is receiving services for mental illness, developmental disabilities, alcoholism or drug dependency, including any individual who is admitted to a treatment facility in accordance with this chapter or
ch. 48 or
55 or who is detained, committed or placed under this chapter or
ch. 48,
55,
971,
975 or
980, or who is transferred to a treatment facility under
s. 51.35 (3) or
51.37 or who is receiving care or treatment for those conditions through the department or a county department under
s. 51.42 or
51.437 or in a private treatment facility. "Patient" does not include persons committed under
ch. 975 who are transferred to or residing in any state prison listed under
s. 302.01. In private hospitals and in public general hospitals, "patient" includes any individual who is admitted for the primary purpose of treatment of mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism or drug abuse but does not include an individual who receives treatment in a hospital emergency room nor an individual who receives treatment on an outpatient basis at those hospitals, unless the individual is otherwise covered under this subsection. Except as provided in
sub. (2), each patient shall:
51.61(1)(a)
(a) Upon admission or commitment be informed orally and in writing of his or her rights under this section. Copies of this section shall be posted conspicuously in each patient area, and shall be available to the patient's guardian and immediate family.
51.61(1)(b)1.1. Have the right to refuse to perform labor which is of financial benefit to the facility in which the patient is receiving treatment or service. Privileges or release from the facility may not be conditioned upon the performance of any labor which is regulated by this paragraph. Patients may voluntarily engage in therapeutic labor which is of financial benefit to the facility if such labor is compensated in accordance with a plan approved by the department and if:
51.61(1)(b)1.a.
a. The specific labor is an integrated part of the patient's treatment plan approved as a therapeutic activity by the professional staff member responsible for supervising the patient's treatment;
51.61(1)(b)1.b.
b. The labor is supervised by a staff member who is qualified to oversee the therapeutic aspects of the activity;
51.61(1)(b)1.c.
c. The patient has given his or her written informed consent to engage in such labor and has been informed that such consent may be withdrawn at any time; and
51.61(1)(b)1.d.
d. The labor involved is evaluated for its appropriateness by the staff of the facility at least once every 120 days.
51.61(1)(b)2.
2. Patients may also voluntarily engage in noncompensated therapeutic labor which is of financial benefit to the facility, if the conditions for engaging in compensated labor under this paragraph are met and if:
51.61(1)(b)2.a.
a. The facility has attempted to provide compensated labor as a first alternative and all resources for providing compensated labor have been exhausted;
51.61(1)(b)2.b.
b. Uncompensated therapeutic labor does not cause layoffs of staff hired by the facility to otherwise perform such labor; and
51.61(1)(b)2.c.
c. The patient is not required in any way to perform such labor. Tasks of a personal housekeeping nature are not to be considered compensable labor.
51.61(1)(b)3.
3. Payment to a patient performing labor under this section shall not be applied to costs of treatment without the informed, written consent of such patient. This paragraph does not apply to individuals serving a criminal sentence who are transferred from a state correctional institution under
s. 51.37 (5) to a treatment facility.
51.61(1)(cm)
(cm) Have the rights specified under
subd. 1. to send and receive sealed mail, subject to the limitations specified under
subd. 2.
51.61(1)(cm)1.
1. Patients have an unrestricted right to send sealed mail and receive sealed mail to or from legal counsel, the courts, government officials, private physicians, and licensed psychologists, and have reasonable access to letter writing materials including postage stamps. A patient shall also have a right to send sealed mail and receive sealed mail to or from other persons, subject to physical examination in the patient's presence if there is reason to believe that such communication contains contraband materials or objects that threaten the security of patients, prisoners, or staff. Such reasons shall be written in the individual's treatment record. The officers and staff of a facility may not read any mail covered by this subdivision.
51.61(1)(cm)2.
2. The rights of a patient detained or committed under
ch. 980 to send and receive sealed mail are subject to the following limitations:
51.61(1)(cm)2.a.
a. An officer or staff member of the facility at which the patient is placed may delay delivery of the mail to the patient for a reasonable period of time to verify whether the person named as the sender actually sent the mail; may open the mail and inspect it for contraband; or may, if the officer or staff member cannot determine whether the mail contains contraband, return the mail to the sender along with notice of the facility mail policy.
51.61(1)(cm)2.b.
b. The director of the facility or his or her designee may, in accordance with the standards and the procedure under
sub. (2) for denying a right for cause, authorize a member of the facility treatment staff to read the mail, if the director or his or her designee has reason to believe that the mail could pose a threat to security at the facility or seriously interfere with the treatment, rights, or safety of others.
51.61(1)(d)
(d) Except in the case of a person who is committed for alcoholism, have the right to petition the court for review of the commitment order or for withdrawal of the order or release from commitment as provided in
s. 51.20 (16).
51.61(1)(e)
(e) Except in the case of a patient who is admitted or transferred under
s. 51.35 (3) or
51.37 or under
ch. 971 or
975, have the right to the least restrictive conditions necessary to achieve the purposes of admission, commitment or protective placement, under programs, services and resources that the county board of supervisors or the Milwaukee County mental health board, as applicable, is reasonably able to provide within the limits of available state and federal funds and of county funds required to be appropriated to match state funds.
51.61(1)(f)
(f) Have a right to receive prompt and adequate treatment, rehabilitation and educational services appropriate for his or her condition, under programs, services and resources that the county board of supervisors or the Milwaukee County mental health board, as applicable, is reasonably able to provide within the limits of available state and federal funds and of county funds required to be appropriated to match state funds.
51.61(1)(fm)
(fm) Have the right to be informed of his or her treatment and care and to participate in the planning of his or her treatment and care.
51.61(1)(g)
(g) Have the following rights, under the following procedures, to refuse medication and treatment:
51.61(1)(g)1.
1. Have the right to refuse all medication and treatment except as ordered by the court under
subd. 2., or in a situation in which the medication or treatment is necessary to prevent serious physical harm to the patient or to others. Medication and treatment during this period may be refused on religious grounds only as provided in
par. (h).
51.61(1)(g)2.
2. At or after the hearing to determine probable cause for commitment but prior to the final commitment order, other than for a subject individual who is alleged to meet the commitment standard under
s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. e., the court shall, upon the motion of any interested person, and may, upon its own motion, hold a hearing to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the individual is not competent to refuse medication or treatment and whether the medication or treatment will have therapeutic value and will not unreasonably impair the ability of the individual to prepare for or participate in subsequent legal proceedings. If the court determines that there is probable cause to believe the allegations under this subdivision, the court shall issue an order permitting medication or treatment to be administered to the individual regardless of his or her consent. The order shall apply to the period between the date of the issuance of the order and the date of the final order under
s. 51.20 (13), unless the court dismisses the petition for commitment or specifies a shorter period. The hearing under this subdivision shall meet the requirements of
s. 51.20 (5), except for the right to a jury trial.
51.61(1)(g)3.
3. Following a final commitment order, other than for a subject individual who is determined to meet the commitment standard under
s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. e., have the right to exercise informed consent with regard to all medication and treatment unless the committing court or the court in the county in which the individual is located, within 10 days after the filing of the motion of any interested person and with notice of the motion to the individual's counsel, if any, the individual and the applicable counsel under
s. 51.20 (4), makes a determination, following a hearing, that the individual is not competent to refuse medication or treatment or unless a situation exists in which the medication or treatment is necessary to prevent serious physical harm to the individual or others. A report, if any, on which the motion is based shall accompany the motion and notice of motion and shall include a statement signed by a licensed physician that asserts that the subject individual needs medication or treatment and that the individual is not competent to refuse medication or treatment, based on an examination of the individual by a licensed physician. The hearing under this subdivision shall meet the requirements of
s. 51.20 (5), except for the right to a jury trial. At the request of the subject individual, the individual's counsel or applicable counsel under
s. 51.20 (4), the hearing may be postponed, but in no case may the postponed hearing be held more than 20 days after a motion is filed.
51.61(1)(g)3m.
3m. Following a final commitment order for a subject individual who is determined to meet the commitment standard under
s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. e., the court shall issue an order permitting medication or treatment to be administered to the individual regardless of his or her consent.
51.61(1)(g)4.
4. For purposes of a determination under
subd. 2. or
3., an individual is not competent to refuse medication or treatment if, because of mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism or drug dependence, and after the advantages and disadvantages of and alternatives to accepting the particular medication or treatment have been explained to the individual, one of the following is true:
51.61(1)(g)4.a.
a. The individual is incapable of expressing an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of accepting medication or treatment and the alternatives.
51.61(1)(g)4.b.
b. The individual is substantially incapable of applying an understanding of the advantages, disadvantages and alternatives to his or her mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism or drug dependence in order to make an informed choice as to whether to accept or refuse medication or treatment.
51.61(1)(h)
(h) Have a right to be free from unnecessary or excessive medication at any time. No medication may be administered to a patient except at the written order of a physician. The attending physician is responsible for all medication which is administered to a patient. A record of the medication which is administered to each patient shall be kept in his or her medical records. Medication may not be used as punishment, for the convenience of staff, as a substitute for a treatment program, or in quantities that interfere with a patient's treatment program. Except when medication or medical treatment has been ordered by the court under
par. (g) or is necessary to prevent serious physical harm to others as evidenced by a recent overt act, attempt or threat to do such harm, a patient may refuse medications and medical treatment if the patient is a member of a recognized religious organization and the religious tenets of such organization prohibit such medications and treatment. The individual shall be informed of this right prior to administration of medications or treatment whenever the patient's condition so permits.
