Chapter 51

51.15(2)(e) (e) Subject to s. 49.45 (29x), a county may obtain reimbursement through the Medical Assistance program under subch. IV of ch. 49 for transport of an individual for purposes of emergency detention if all of the following are true:

51.15(2)(e)1. 1. The individual transported is a medical assistance recipient.

51.15(2)(e)2. 2. The transport is provided by a law enforcement agency or an entity that contracts with a law enforcement agency under par. (a).

51.15(2)(e)3. 3. If the transport is provided by a 3rd-party vendor that is not a law enforcement agency or an ambulance service provider, the 3rd-party vendor meets criteria established for reimbursement by the department.

51.15(3) (3) Custody. An individual is in custody when the individual is under the physical control of the law enforcement officer, or other person authorized to take a child into custody under ch. 48 or to take a juvenile into custody under ch. 938, for the purposes of emergency detention. The individual remains in the custody of the law enforcement officer or other person authorized to take a child into custody under ch. 48 or to take a juvenile into custody under ch. 938 for transport for the purposes of emergency detention, except that if a law enforcement agency contracts with another law enforcement agency to transport an individual as described under sub. (2) (a) for the purposes of emergency detention, custody is transferred to the transporting law enforcement agency. Upon arrival at the facility under sub. (2), custody of the individual is transferred to the facility.

51.15(4) (4) Detention procedure; Milwaukee County.

51.15(4)(a) (a) In counties having a population of 750,000 or more, the law enforcement officer or other person authorized to take a child into custody under ch. 48 or to take a juvenile into custody under ch. 938 shall sign a statement of emergency detention which shall provide detailed specific information concerning the recent overt act, attempt, or threat to act or omission on which the belief under sub. (1) is based and the names of the persons observing or reporting the recent overt act, attempt, or threat to act or omission. The law enforcement officer or other person is not required to designate in the statement whether the subject individual is mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or drug dependent, but shall allege that he or she has cause to believe that the individual evidences one or more of these conditions. The law enforcement officer or other person shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, the statement to the detention facility upon the delivery of the individual to it.

51.15(4)(b) (b) Upon delivery of the individual, the treatment director of the facility, or his or her designee, shall determine within 24 hours, except as provided in par. (c), whether the individual shall be detained, or shall be detained, evaluated, diagnosed and treated, if evaluation, diagnosis and treatment are permitted under sub. (8), and shall either release the individual or detain him or her for a period not to exceed 72 hours after the individual is taken into custody for the purposes of emergency detention, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. If the treatment director, or his or her designee, determines that the individual is not eligible for commitment under s. 51.20 (1) (a), the treatment director shall release the individual immediately, unless otherwise authorized by law. If the individual is detained, the treatment director or his or her designee may supplement in writing the statement filed by the law enforcement officer or other person, and shall designate whether the subject individual is believed to be mentally ill, developmentally disabled or drug dependent, if no designation was made by the law enforcement officer or other person. The director or designee may also include other specific information concerning his or her belief that the individual meets the standard for commitment. The treatment director or designee shall then promptly file the original statement together with any supplemental statement and notification of detention with the court having probate jurisdiction in the county in which the individual was taken into custody. The filing of the statement and notification has the same effect as a petition for commitment under s. 51.20.

51.15(4)(c) (c) When calculating the 24 hours under par. (b) in which a treatment director determines whether an individual should be detained, any period delaying that determination that is directly attributable to evaluation or stabilizing treatment of non-psychiatric medical conditions of the individual is excluded from the calculation.

51.15(4m) (4m) Detention pilot program; Milwaukee County.

51.15(4m)(a) (a) Definitions. In this subsection:

51.15(4m)(a)1. 1. “Treatment director” includes a fully licensed physician or licensed psychologist who is a full-time or part-time employee of, or on contract with, the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division and who actively assumes clinical responsibility for the provision of emergency service care.

51.15(4m)(a)2. 2. “Treatment director designee” means an individual who is any of the following licensed mental health professionals, who is a full-time or part-time employee of, or on contract with, the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, and who may provide care to individuals in accordance with, and as permitted by, state licensure laws, in collaboration with a treatment director who is assigned to the same service or program:

51.15(4m)(a)2.a. a. Licensed clinical social worker as described in s. 457.01 (1r).

51.15(4m)(a)2.b. b. Advanced practice social worker as defined in s. 457.01 (1c).

51.15(4m)(a)2.c. c. Licensed professional counselor as described in s. 457.01 (7).

51.15(4m)(a)2.d. d. Licensed marriage and family therapist as described in s. 457.01 (3).

51.15(4m)(a)2.e. e. Psychiatric nurse.

51.15(4m)(b) (b) Basis for detention. In Milwaukee County, a treatment director or treatment director designee may take an individual into custody if the treatment director or treatment director designee has cause to believe that the individual is mentally ill, is drug dependent, or is developmentally disabled, and that the individual evidences any of the criteria under sub. (1) (ar) 1. to 4. The treatment director’s belief or the treatment director designee’s belief shall be based on any of the criteria under sub. (1) (b).

51.15(4m)(c) (c) Facilities for detention. The treatment director or treatment director designee shall transport the individual, or cause him or her to be transported, for detention to any of the facilities described in sub. (2) (d) and shall approve evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment if permitted under sub. (8).

51.15(4m)(d) (d) Procedure.

51.15(4m)(d)1. 1. In Milwaukee County, a treatment director or treatment director designee who takes an individual, or causes an individual to be taken, into custody under par. (b) shall sign a statement of emergency detention which shall provide detailed specific information concerning the recent overt act, attempt, or threat to act or omission on which the belief under par. (b) is based and the names of the persons observing or reporting the recent overt act, attempt, or threat to act or omission. The treatment director or treatment director designee shall designate in the statement whether the subject individual is mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or drug dependent and provide any information concerning his or her belief that the individual meets the standard for commitment.

51.15(4m)(d)2. 2. If evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment are permitted under sub. (8), the treatment director or treatment director designee shall detain the individual for a period not to exceed 72 hours after delivery of the individual to the detention facility, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The treatment director or treatment director designee shall promptly file the original statement of emergency detention together with any supplemental statement and notification of detention with the court having probate jurisdiction in the county in which the individual was taken into custody. The filing of the statement and notification has the same effect as a petition for commitment under s. 51.20.

51.15(4m)(e) (e) Termination of pilot program. Paragraphs (a) to (d) do not apply after July 1, 2017.

51.15(5) (5) Detention procedure; other counties. In counties having a population of less than 750,000, the law enforcement officer or other person authorized to take a child into custody under ch. 48 or to take a juvenile into custody under ch. 938 shall sign a statement of emergency detention that shall provide detailed specific information concerning the recent overt act, attempt, or threat to act or omission on which the belief under sub. (1) is based and the names of persons observing or reporting the recent overt act, attempt, or threat to act or omission. The law enforcement officer or other person is not required to designate in the statement whether the subject individual is mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or drug dependent, but shall allege that he or she has cause to believe that the individual evidences one or more of these conditions. The statement of emergency detention shall be filed by the officer or other person with the detention facility at the time of admission, and with the court immediately thereafter. The filing of the statement has the same effect as a petition for commitment under s. 51.20. When, upon the advice of the treatment staff, the director of a facility specified in sub. (2) (d) determines that the grounds for detention no longer exist, he or she shall discharge the individual detained under this section. Unless a hearing is held under s. 51.20 (7) or 55.135, the subject individual may not be detained by the law enforcement officer or other person and the facility for more than a total of 72 hours after the individual is taken into custody for the purposes of emergency detention, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays.

51.15(6) (6) Release. If the individual is released, the treatment director or his or her designee, upon the individual’s request, shall arrange for the individual’s transportation to the locality where he or she was taken into custody.

51.15(7) (7) Intercounty agreements. Counties may enter into contracts whereby one county agrees to conduct commitment hearings for individuals who are detained in that county but who are taken into custody under this section in another county. Such contracts shall include provisions for reimbursement to the county of detention for all reasonable direct and auxiliary costs of commitment proceedings conducted under this section and s. 51.20 by the county of detention concerning individuals taken into custody in the other county and shall include provisions to cover the cost of any voluntary or involuntary services provided under this chapter to the subject individual as a result of proceedings or conditional suspension of proceedings resulting from the notification of detention. Where there is such a contract binding the county where the individual is taken into custody and the county where the individual is detained, the statements of detention specified in subs. (4) and (5) and the notification specified in sub. (4) shall be filed with the court having probate jurisdiction in the county of detention, unless the subject individual requests that the proceedings be held in the county in which the individual is taken into custody.

51.15(8) (8) Evaluation, diagnosis and treatment. When an individual is detained under this section, the director and staff of the treatment facility may evaluate, diagnose and treat the individual during detention, if the individual consents. The individual has a right to refuse medication and treatment as provided in s. 51.61 (1) (g) and (h). The individual shall be advised of that right by the director of the facility or his or her designee, and a report of any evaluation and diagnosis and of all treatment provided shall be filed by that person with the court.

51.15(9) (9) Notice of rights. At the time of arrival at the facility, under sub. (2), the individual shall be informed by the director of the facility or such person’s designee, 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 an attorney provided at public expense, as provided under s. 51.60, and the right to remain silent and that the individual’s statements may be used as a basis for commitment. The individual shall also be provided with a copy of the statement of emergency detention.

51.15(10) (10) Voluntary patients. If an individual has been admitted to an approved treatment facility under s. 51.10 or 51.13, or has been otherwise admitted to such facility, the treatment director or his or her designee, if conditions exist for taking the individual into custody under sub. (1), may sign a statement of emergency detention and may detain, or detain, evaluate, diagnose and treat the individual as provided in this section. In such case, the treatment director shall undertake all responsibilities that are required of a law enforcement officer under this section. The treatment director shall promptly file the statement with the court having probate jurisdiction in the county of detention as provided in this section.

51.15(11) (11) Liability. Any individual who acts in accordance with this section, including making a determination that an individual has or does not have mental illness or evidences or does not evidence a substantial probability of harm under sub. (1) (ar) 1., 2., 3., or 4. or a determination under sub. (2) (b) that the transfer of an individual is medically appropriate, is not liable for any actions taken in good faith. The good faith of the actor shall be presumed in any civil action. Whoever asserts that the individual who acts in accordance with this section has not acted in good faith has the burden of proving that assertion by evidence that is clear, satisfactory and convincing.

51.15(11g) (11g) Other liability. Subsection (11) applies to a director of a facility, as specified in sub. (2) (d), or his or her designee, who under a court order evaluates, diagnoses or treats an individual who is confined in a jail, if the individual consents to the evaluation, diagnosis or treatment.

51.15(11m) (11m) Training. Law enforcement agencies shall designate at least one officer authorized to take an individual into custody under this section who shall attend the in-service training on emergency detention and emergency protective placement procedures offered by a county department of community programs under s. 51.42 (3) (ar) 4. d., if the county department of community programs serving the law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction offers an in-service training program.

51.15(12) (12) Penalty. Whoever signs a statement under sub. (4), (5) or (10) knowing the information contained therein to be false is guilty of a Class H felony.

51.15 History History: 1975 c. 430; 1977 c. 29, 428; 1979 c. 175, 300, 336, 355; 1985 a. 176; 1987 a. 366, 394; 1989 a. 56 s. 259; 1993 a. 451; 1995 a. 77, 175, 292; 1997 a. 35, 283; 2001 a. 16 ss. 1966d to 1966h, 4034zb to 4034zd, 4041d to 4041g; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 264; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28; 2013 a. 158, 235; 2015 a. 55; 2015 a. 195 ss. 11 to 13, 83; 2017 a. 140; 2019 a. 105; 2021 a. 131; 2021 a. 240 s. 30; 2023 a. 249.

51.15 Annotation A mental health worker did not have immunity under sub. (11) for actions regarding a person already in custody and not taken into custody under an emergency detention. Kell v. Raemisch, 190 Wis. 2d 754, 528 N.W.2d 13 (Ct. App. 1994).

51.15 Annotation The time limits established by former sub. (4) (b), 2011 stats., are triggered when a person taken into custody under that provision is transported to any of the facilities specified in former sub. (2), 2011 stats., even if a person taken into custody in Milwaukee County is not taken to the facility established by the county under s. 51.08 for that purpose. Milwaukee County v. Delores M., 217 Wis. 2d 69, 577 N.W.2d 371 (Ct. App. 1998), 96-2508.

51.15 Annotation The community caretaker exception that allows police officers to make a warrantless entry into a home when engaging in an activity that is unrelated to criminal activity and is for the public good applies to police activity undertaken pursuant to this section. State v. Horngren, 2000 WI App 177, 238 Wis. 2d 347, 617 N.W.2d 508, 99-2065.

51.15 Annotation Sub. (10) is not ambiguous and cannot reasonably be construed to authorize the continued detention of an involuntarily admitted individual based on a treatment director’s statement of emergency detention when the individual had not been given the required probable cause hearing. Although sub. (10) refers to “voluntary patients” in its title, “otherwise admitted” in sub. (10) is not restricted to the admission of voluntary patients and encompasses involuntary admissions. Although “otherwise admitted” applies to involuntary patients, it does not necessarily follow that the term includes involuntary patients who have been detained beyond 72 hours without a probable cause hearing under s. 51.20 (7) (a). Dane County v. Stevenson L.J., 2009 WI App 84, 320 Wis. 2d 194, 768 N.W.2d 223, 08-1281.

51.15 Annotation By granting immunity to any individual acting in accordance with this section, the legislature plainly intended to expand immunity beyond those authorized to take individuals into physical custody. Sub. (11) presumes that a person participating in emergency detention decisions has acted in good faith. This presumption can be defeated only by clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence to the contrary. Estate of Hammersley v. Wisconsin County Mutual Insurance Corp., 2012 WI App 44, 340 Wis. 2d 557, 811 N.W.2d 878, 11-0359.

51.15 Annotation Sub. (2) authorizes the Department of Health Services (DHS) to designate one state treatment facility that will accept custody of individuals transported for emergency detention and treatment. It is unreasonable to assume that the legislature intended to force DHS to organize itself and expend resources so that emergency detention and treatment is performed at all six state treatment facilities when other statutes authorize DHS to use discretion to organize those facilities in a manner consistent with the facilities’ statutory functions, consistent with the overriding statutory purpose of providing a unified system of treatment as resources allow. City of Madison v. Department of Health Services, 2017 WI App 25, 375 Wis. 2d 203, 895 N.W.2d 844, 16-0727.

51.15 Annotation It is inadvisable to treat individuals transported across state lines for emergency medical care differently than other individuals when determining whether emergency detention proceedings should be initiated pursuant to this section. 78 Atty. Gen. 59.

51.15 Annotation While sub. (7) does not authorize contractual agreements with counties outside of Wisconsin, ss. 51.75 (11), 51.87 (3), and 66.30 (5) [now s. 66.0303] each contain legal mechanisms through which financial or other responsibility for care and treatment of individuals from such counties may be shared under certain specified circumstances. 78 Atty. Gen. 59.

51.15 Annotation Former s. 51.15, 2011 stats., permits transfer of custody from a law enforcement officer only to one of the four categories of facilities enumerated in former sub. (2), 2011 stats. The law enforcement officer’s statutory obligation under former s. 51.15, 2011 stats., is not discharged until a transfer of custody to one of those four categories of facilities occurs. 81 Atty. Gen. 110.

51.17 51.17 Warning of dangerousness.

51.17(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “health care provider” has the meaning given in s. 146.81 (1).

51.17(2) (2) Authorization. Any health care provider, as permitted by s. 146.816 (2) (b) 4. or 5., and any law enforcement officer may make a disclosure of information evidencing that an individual poses a substantial probability of serious bodily harm to any other person in a good faith effort to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of a person or the public.

51.17(3) (3) Duty; health care providers.

51.17(3)(a) (a) Any health care provider that reasonably believes an individual has a substantial probability of harm to himself or herself or to another person under s. 51.15 (1) (ar) 1., 2., 3., or 4. fulfills any duty to warn a 3rd party by doing any of the following:

51.17(3)(a)1. 1. Contacting a law enforcement officer regarding the individual and disclosing knowledge of potential evidence of a substantial probability of harm under s. 51.15 (1) (ar) 1., 2., 3., or 4.

51.17(3)(a)2. 2. Contacting the county department that the health care provider reasonably believes is responsible for approving the need for emergency detention of the individual under s. 51.15 (2) and disclosing knowledge of potential evidence of a substantial probability of harm under s. 51.15 (1) (ar) 1., 2., 3., or 4.

51.17(3)(a)3. 3. If the health care provider is an agent of the county department that is responsible for approving the need for emergency detention under s. 51.15 (2) and is authorized by that county department to approve or disapprove the need for emergency detention under s. 51.15 (2), approving the emergency detention of the individual.

51.17(3)(a)4. 4. Taking any other action that a reasonable health care provider would consider as fulfilling the duty to warn a 3rd party of substantial probability of harm.

51.17(3)(b) (b) If an individual is not in custody of a facility under s. 51.15 (3) and is not voluntarily admitted to a inpatient psychiatric unit, a health care provider that takes any of the actions under par. (a) has no further duty to any person to seek involuntary treatment, emergency detention, emergency stabilization, or commitment of the individual; to physically restrain or isolate the individual; to prevent the individual from leaving the hospital; or to provide treatment or medication without the individual’s consent.

51.17(4) (4) Liability. Any person or health care provider that acts in accordance with this section is not civilly or criminally liable for actions taken in good faith. The good faith of the actor shall be presumed in a civil action. Whoever asserts that the individual who acts in accordance has not acted in good faith has the burden of proving that assertion by evidence that is clear, satisfactory, and convincing.

51.17 History History: 2017 a. 140, 143.

51.20 51.20 Involuntary commitment for treatment.

51.20(1) (1) Petition for examination.

51.20(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in pars. (ab), (am), and (ar), every written petition for examination shall allege that all of the following apply to the subject individual to be examined:

51.20(1)(a)1. 1. The individual is mentally ill or, except as provided under subd. 2. e., drug dependent or developmentally disabled and is a proper subject for treatment.

51.20(1)(a)2. 2. The individual is dangerous because he or she does any of the following:

51.20(1)(a)2.a. a. Evidences a substantial probability of physical harm to himself or herself as manifested by evidence of recent threats of or attempts at suicide or serious bodily harm.

51.20(1)(a)2.b. b. Evidences a substantial probability of physical harm to other individuals as manifested by evidence of recent homicidal or other violent behavior, or by evidence that others are placed in reasonable fear of violent behavior and serious physical harm to them, as evidenced by a recent overt act, attempt or threat to do serious physical harm. In this subd. 2. b., if the petition is filed under a court order under s. 938.30 (5) (c) 1. or (d) 1., a finding by the court exercising jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 that the juvenile committed the act or acts alleged in the petition under s. 938.12 or 938.13 (12) may be used to prove that the juvenile exhibited recent homicidal or other violent behavior or committed a recent overt act, attempt or threat to do serious physical harm.

51.20(1)(a)2.c. c. Evidences such impaired judgment, manifested by evidence of a pattern of recent acts or omissions, that there is a substantial probability of physical impairment or injury to himself or herself or other individuals. The probability of physical impairment or injury is not substantial under this subd. 2. c. if reasonable provision for the subject individual’s protection is available in the community and there is a reasonable probability that the individual will avail himself or herself of these services, if the individual may be provided protective placement or protective services under ch. 55, or, in the case of a minor, if the individual is appropriate for services or placement under s. 48.13 (4) or (11) or 938.13 (4). The subject individual’s status as a minor does not automatically establish a substantial probability of physical impairment or injury under this subd. 2. c. Food, shelter or other care provided to an individual who is substantially incapable of obtaining the care for himself or herself, by a person other than a treatment facility, does not constitute reasonable provision for the subject individual’s protection available in the community under this subd. 2. c.

51.20(1)(a)2.d. d. Evidences behavior manifested by recent acts or omissions that, due to mental illness, he or she is unable to satisfy basic needs for nourishment, medical care, shelter or safety without prompt and adequate treatment so that a substantial probability exists that death, serious physical injury, serious physical debilitation, or serious physical disease will imminently ensue unless the individual receives prompt and adequate treatment for this mental illness. No substantial probability of harm under this subd. 2. d. exists if reasonable provision for the individual’s treatment and protection is available in the community and there is a reasonable probability that the individual will avail himself or herself of these services, if the individual may be provided protective placement or protective services under ch. 55, or, in the case of a minor, if the individual is appropriate for services or placement under s. 48.13 (4) or (11) or 938.13 (4). The individual’s status as a minor does not automatically establish a substantial probability of death, serious physical injury, serious physical debilitation or serious disease under this subd. 2. d. Food, shelter or other care provided to an individual who is substantially incapable of obtaining the care for himself or herself, by any person other than a treatment facility, does not constitute reasonable provision for the individual’s treatment or protection available in the community under this subd. 2. d.

51.20(1)(a)2.e. e. For an individual, other than an individual who is alleged to be drug dependent or developmentally disabled, after the advantages and disadvantages of and alternatives to accepting a particular medication or treatment have been explained to him or her and because of mental illness, evidences either incapability of expressing an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of accepting medication or treatment and the alternatives, or substantial incapability of applying an understanding of the advantages, disadvantages, and alternatives to his or her mental illness in order to make an informed choice as to whether to accept or refuse medication or treatment; and evidences a substantial probability, as demonstrated by both the individual’s treatment history and his or her recent acts or omissions, that the individual needs care or treatment to prevent further disability or deterioration and a substantial probability that he or she will, if left untreated, lack services necessary for his or her health or safety and suffer severe mental, emotional, or physical harm that will result in the loss of the individual’s ability to function independently in the community or the loss of cognitive or volitional control over his or her thoughts or actions. The probability of suffering severe mental, emotional, or physical harm is not substantial under this subd. 2. e. if reasonable provision for the individual’s care or treatment is available in the community and there is a reasonable probability that the individual will avail himself or herself of these services or if the individual may be provided protective placement or protective services under ch. 55. Food, shelter, or other care that is provided to an individual who is substantially incapable of obtaining food, shelter, or other care for himself or herself by any person other than a treatment facility does not constitute reasonable provision for the individual’s care or treatment in the community under this subd. 2. e. The individual’s status as a minor does not automatically establish a substantial probability of suffering severe mental, emotional, or physical harm under this subd. 2. e.

51.20(1)(ab) (ab) If the individual is an inmate of a prison, jail or other criminal detention facility, the fact that the individual receives food, shelter and other care in that facility may not limit the applicability of par. (a) to the individual. The food, shelter and other care does not constitute reasonable provision for the individual’s protection available in the community.

51.20(1)(ad) (ad)

51.20(1)(ad)1. 1. If a petition under par. (a) is based on par. (a) 2. e., the petition shall be reviewed and approved by the attorney general or by his or her designee prior to the time that it is filed. If the attorney general or his or her designee disapproves or fails to act with respect to the petition, the petition may not be filed.

51.20(1)(ad)2. 2. Subdivision 1. does not apply if the attorney general makes a finding that a court of competent jurisdiction in this state, in a case in which the constitutionality of par. (a) 2. e. has been challenged, has upheld the constitutionality of par. (a) 2. e.

51.20(1)(am) (am) If the individual has been the subject of inpatient treatment for mental illness, developmental disability, or drug dependency immediately prior to commencement of the proceedings as a result of a voluntary admission, a commitment or protective placement ordered by a court under this section or s. 55.06, 2003 stats., s. 971.17, or ch. 975, or a protective placement or protective services ordered under s. 55.12, or if the individual has been the subject of outpatient treatment for mental illness, developmental disability, or drug dependency immediately prior to commencement of the proceedings as a result of a commitment ordered by a court under this section, s. 971.17, or ch. 975, the requirements of a recent overt act, attempt or threat to act under par. (a) 2. a. or b., pattern of recent acts or omissions under par. (a) 2. c. or e., or recent behavior under par. (a) 2. d. may be satisfied by a showing that there is a substantial likelihood, based on the subject individual’s treatment record, that the individual would be a proper subject for commitment if treatment were withdrawn. If the individual has been admitted voluntarily to an inpatient treatment facility for not more than 30 days prior to the commencement of the proceedings and remains under voluntary admission at the time of commencement, the requirements of a specific recent overt act, attempt or threat to act, or pattern of recent acts or omissions may be satisfied by a showing of an act, attempt or threat to act, or pattern of acts or omissions which took place immediately previous to the voluntary admission. If the individual is committed under s. 971.14 (2) or (5) at the time proceedings are commenced, or has been discharged from the commitment immediately prior to the commencement of proceedings, acts, attempts, threats, omissions, or behavior of the subject individual during or subsequent to the time of the offense shall be deemed recent for purposes of par. (a) 2.

51.20(1)(ar) (ar) If the individual is an inmate of a state prison, the petition may allege that the inmate is mentally ill, is a proper subject for treatment and is in need of treatment. The petition shall allege that appropriate less restrictive forms of treatment have been attempted with the individual and have been unsuccessful and it shall include a description of the less restrictive forms of treatment that were attempted. The petition shall also allege that the individual has been fully informed about his or her treatment needs, the mental health services available to him or her and his or her rights under this chapter and that the individual has had an opportunity to discuss his or her needs, the services available to him or her and his or her rights with a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist. The petition shall include the inmate’s sentence and his or her expected date of release as determined under s. 302.11 or 302.113, whichever is applicable. The petition shall have attached to it a signed statement by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist of a state prison and a signed statement by a licensed physician or a licensed psychologist of a state treatment facility attesting either of the following:

51.20(1)(ar)1. 1. That the inmate needs inpatient treatment at a state treatment facility because appropriate treatment is not available in the prison.

51.20(1)(ar)2. 2. That the inmate’s treatment needs can be met on an outpatient basis in the prison.

51.20(1)(b) (b) Each petition for examination shall be signed by 3 adult persons, at least one of whom has personal knowledge of the conduct of the subject individual, except that this requirement does not apply if the petition is filed pursuant to a court order under s. 938.30 (5) (c) 1. or (d) 1.

51.20(1)(c) (c) The petition shall contain the names and mailing addresses of the petitioners and their relation to the subject individual, and shall also contain the names and mailing addresses of the individual’s spouse, adult children, parents or guardian, custodian, brothers, sisters, person in the place of a parent and person with whom the individual resides or lives. If this information is unknown to the petitioners or inapplicable, the petition shall so state. The petition may be filed in the court assigned to exercise probate jurisdiction for the county where the subject individual is present or the county of the individual’s legal residence. If the judge of the court or a circuit court commissioner who handles probate matters is not available, the petition may be filed and the hearing under sub. (7) may be held before a judge or circuit court commissioner of any circuit court for the county. For the purposes of this chapter, duties to be performed by a court shall be carried out by the judge of the court or a circuit court commissioner of the court who is designated by the chief judge to so act, in all matters prior to a final hearing under this section. The petition shall contain a clear and concise statement of the facts which constitute probable cause to believe the allegations of the petition. The petition shall be sworn to be true. If a petitioner is not a petitioner having personal knowledge as provided in par. (b), the petition shall contain a statement providing the basis for his or her belief.

51.20(1m) (1m) Alternate grounds for commitment. For purposes of subs. (2) to (9), the requirement of finding probable cause to believe the allegations in sub. (1) (a) or (am) may be satisfied by finding probable cause to believe that the individual satisfies sub. (1) (a) 1. and evidences such impaired judgment, manifested by evidence of a recent act or omission, that there is a substantial probability of physical impairment or injury to himself or herself. The probability of physical impairment or injury may not be deemed substantial under this subsection if reasonable provision for the individual’s protection is available in the community and there is a reasonable probability that the individual will avail himself or herself of the services or if the individual may be provided protective placement or protective services under ch. 55. The individual’s status as a minor does not automatically establish a substantial probability of physical impairment or injury under this subsection. Food, shelter or other care provided to an individual who is substantially incapable of obtaining the care for himself or herself, by any person other than a treatment facility, does not constitute reasonable provision for the individual’s protection available in the community under this subsection.

51.20(2) (2) Notice of hearing and detention.

51.20(2)(a) (a) Upon the filing of a petition for examination, the court shall review the petition within 24 hours after the petition is filed, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, to determine whether an order of detention should be issued. The subject individual shall be detained only if there is cause to believe that the individual is mentally ill, drug dependent or developmentally disabled and the individual is eligible for commitment under sub. (1) (a) or (am) based upon specific recent overt acts, attempts or threats to act or on a pattern of recent acts or omissions made by the individual.

51.20(2)(b) (b) If the subject individual is to be detained, a law enforcement officer shall present the subject individual with a notice of hearing, a copy of the petition and detention order and a written statement of the individual’s right to an attorney, a jury trial if requested more than 48 hours prior to the final hearing, the standard upon which he or she may be committed under this section and the right to a hearing to determine probable cause for commitment within 72 hours after the individual is taken into custody under s. 51.15, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. The officer shall orally inform the individual that he or she is being detained as the result of a petition and detention order issued under this chapter. If the individual is not to be detained, the law enforcement officer shall serve these documents on the subject individual and shall also orally inform the individual of these rights. The individual who is the subject of the petition, his or her counsel and, if the individual is a minor, his or her parent or guardian, if known, shall receive notice of all proceedings under this section. The court may also designate other persons to receive notices of hearings and rights under this chapter. Any such notice may be given by telephone. The person giving telephone notice shall place in the case file a signed statement of the time notice was given and the person to whom he or she spoke. The notice of time and place of a hearing shall be served personally on the subject of the petition, and his or her attorney, within a reasonable time prior to the hearing to determine probable cause for commitment.

51.20(2)(c) (c) If the law enforcement officer has a detention order issued by a court, or if the law enforcement officer has cause to believe that the subject individual is mentally ill, drug dependent or developmentally disabled and is eligible for commitment under sub. (1) (a) or (am), based upon specific recent overt acts, attempts or threats to act or on a pattern of omissions made by the individual, the law enforcement officer shall take the subject individual into custody. If the individual is detained by a law enforcement officer, the individual shall be orally informed of his or her rights under this section on arrival at the detention facility by the facility staff, who shall also serve all documents required by this section on the individual.

51.20(2)(d) (d) Placement shall only be made in a treatment facility approved by the department or the county department, if the facility agrees to detain the subject individual, or in a state treatment facility. Upon arrival at the facility, the individual is considered to be in the custody of the facility.

51.20(3) (3) Legal counsel. At the time of the filing of the petition the court shall assure that the subject individual is represented by adversary counsel by referring the individual to the state public defender, who shall appoint counsel for the individual without a determination of indigency, as provided in s. 51.60.

51.20(4) (4) Public representation; limited appearance.

51.20(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in ss. 51.42 (3) (ar) 1. and 51.437 (4m) (f) and subject to par. (b), the corporation counsel shall represent the interests of the public in the conduct of all proceedings under this chapter, including the drafting of all necessary papers related to the action.

51.20(4)(b) (b) If corporation counsel does not believe that involuntary commitment under this section is appropriate for the subject individual, corporation counsel shall inform the person seeking the petition under sub. (1) that the person may discontinue pursuing the involuntary commitment or may request that corporation counsel file the petition under sub. (1) under a limited appearance. If the person seeking the petition requests a limited appearance by corporation counsel for the purpose of filing a petition under sub. (1), corporation counsel shall do all of the following:

51.20(4)(b)1. 1. Notify the person seeking the petition of the scope of what corporation counsel will do under the limited appearance.

51.20(4)(b)2. 2. File, in a timely manner, the petition as described in sub. (1), except that the corporation counsel does not need to affirm that the facts in the petition constitute probable cause but may state that the person seeking the petition believes those facts constitute probable cause.

51.20(4)(b)3. 3. Include with the petition, at the time of filing, a certification to the court that corporation counsel is not supporting the petition but is making a limited appearance and that he or she has notified the person seeking the petition of the scope of this limited appearance.