Wisconsin Legislature: DHS 134.52(3)(a)2.

1. Persons who require services that the facility does not provide or make available may not be admitted or retained.

2. Persons who do not have a diagnosis of developmental disability may not be admitted.

1. ‘Communicable diseases.’ The facility shall have the ability to manage persons with communicable disease that the facility admits or retains, based on currently recognized standards of practice.

2. ‘Reportable diseases.’ Facilities shall report suspected communicable diseases that are reportable under ch. DHS 145 to the local public health officer or to the department’s bureau of communicable disease.

(d) Destructive residents.

1. Notwithstanding s. DHS 134.13 (1), in this paragraph, “abuse” means any single or repeated act of force, violence, harassment, deprivation or mental pressure which does or reasonably could cause physical pain or injury to another resident, or mental anguish or fear in another resident.

2. A person who the facility administrator has reason to believe is destructive of property or self-destructive, would disturb or abuse other residents or is suicidal, shall not be admitted or retained unless the facility has and uses sufficient resources to appropriately manage and care for the person.

(e) Minors. Except for a facility that was permitted to admit minors prior to the effective date of this chapter, no facility may admit a person under the age of 18 unless the admission is approved by the department after the department receives the following documents:

1. A statement from the referring physician stating the medical, nursing, rehabilitation and special services required by the minor;

2. A statement from the administrator certifying that the required services can be provided;

3. A statement from the attending physician certifying that the physician will be providing medical care; and

4. A statement from the person or agency assuming financial responsibility for the minor.

(f) Admissions 7 days a week. No facility may refuse to admit a person to be a new resident solely because of the day of the week.

(2) Living unit limitations.

(a) A facility may not house residents of very different ages or developmental levels or with very different social needs in close physical or social proximity to one another unless the housing is planned to promote the growth and development of all the residents who are housed together.

(b) A facility may not segregate residents on the basis of their physical disabilities. The facility shall integrate residents who have different physical disabilities with other residents who have attained comparable levels of social and intellectual development.

History: Cr. Register, June, 1988, No. 390, eff. 7-1-88; correction in (1) (c) 3. made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, April, 2000, No. 532; correction in (1) (c) 3. made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6., Stats., Register December 2003 No. 576; CR 04-053: r. and recr. (1) (c) and am. (1) (d) Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04; correction in (1) (c) 2. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637.

DHS 134.52 Admission-related requirements.

(1) Exception. The procedures in this section apply to all persons admitted to facilities except persons admitted for short-term care. Section DHS 134.70 (2) applies to persons admitted for short-term care.

(2) Conditions for admission. A facility may not admit an individual unless each of the following conditions has been met:

(a) An interdisciplinary team has conducted or updated a comprehensive preadmission evaluation of the individual as specified in sub. (3) and has determined that residential care is the best available plan for the individual;

(b) Except in an emergency, for an individual who is under age 65, there is a written recommendation of the county department established under s. 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, Stats., in the individual’s county of residence, that residential care in the facility is the best available placement for the individual;

(c) If the individual’s medical condition and diagnosis require on-going monitoring and physician supervision, the facility has obtained the concurrence of a physician in the admission decision and information about the person’s current medical condition and diagnosis, and any orders from a physician for immediate care have been received by the facility before or on the day of admission;

(d) The facility has received written certification from a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse prescriber that the individual has been screened for communicable diseases detrimental to other residents or a physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse prescriber has ordered procedures to treat and limit the spread of any communicable diseases the person may be found to have; and

(e) Court-ordered protective placement has been obtained in accordance with s. 55.06, Stats., for a person who has been found by a court to be incompetent.

(3) Preadmission evaluation.

(a) Within 90 days before the date of admission, an interdisciplinary team shall conduct or update a comprehensive evaluation of the individual. The evaluation shall include consideration of the individual’s:

1. Physical development and health;

2. Sensorimotor development;

3. Affective development;

4. Speech and language development and auditory functioning;

5. Cognitive development;

6. Vocational skills; and

7. Adaptive behaviors or independent living skills necessary for the individual to be able to function in the community.

(b) The interdisciplinary team shall:

1. Identify the presenting problems and disabilities and, where possible, their causes;

2. Identify the individual’s developmental strengths;

3. Identify the individual’s developmental and behavioral modification needs;

4. Define the individual’s need for services without regard to availability of those services;

5. Review all available and applicable programs of care, treatment and training for the individual; and

6. Record the evaluation findings.

(4) Physical examination by physician.

(a) Examination. Each resident shall have a physical examination by a physician or physician extender within 48 hours following admission unless an examination was performed within 15 days before admission.

(b) Evaluation. Within 48 hours after admission the physician or physician extender shall complete the resident’s medical and physical examination record.

(5) Family care information and referral. If the secretary of the department has certified that a resource center, as defined in s. DHS 10.13 (42), is available for the facility under s. DHS 10.71, the facility shall provide information to prospective residents and refer residents and prospective residents to the aging and disability resource center as required under s. 50.04 (2g) to (2i), Stats., and s. DHS 10.73.

History: Cr. Register, June, 1988, No. 390, eff. 7-1-88; cr. (5), Register, October, 2000, No. 538, eff. 11-1-00; CR 04-053: r. and recr. (2) (d) Register October 2004 No. 586, eff. 11-1-04; corrections in (5) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2009 No. 637; CR 23-046: am. (2) (c) Register April 2024 No. 820, eff. 5-1-24.

DHS 134.53 Removal from the facility.

(1) Scope. The provisions of this section shall apply to all transfers, discharges and leaves of residents from facilities except that the removal of residents when a facility closes is governed by s. 50.03 (14), Stats.

(2) Reasons for removal. No resident may be temporarily or permanently transferred or discharged from a facility, except:

(a) Voluntary removal. Upon the request or with the informed consent of the resident or guardian;

(b) Involuntary removal.

1. For nonpayment of charges, following reasonable opportunity to pay any deficiency;

2. If the resident requires care that the facility is not licensed to provide;

3. If the resident requires care that the facility does not provide and is not required to provide under this chapter;

4. For medical reasons as ordered by a physician;

5. In case of a medical emergency or disaster;

6. For the resident’s welfare or the welfare of other residents;

7. If the resident does not need FDD care;

8. If the short-term care period for which the resident was admitted has expired; or

9. As otherwise permitted by law.

(3) Alternate placement. Except for removals under sub. (2) (b) 5., no resident may be involuntarily removed unless an alternative placement is arranged for the admission of the resident pursuant to sub. (4) (c).

(4) Permanent involuntary removal.

(a) Consultation. Before a decision is made to transfer or discharge a resident under sub. (2) (b), facility staff shall meet with the resident’s parent or guardian, if any, and any other person the resident decides should be present, to discuss the need for and alternatives to the transfer or discharge.

(b) Notice. The facility shall provide the resident, the resident’s family or guardian or other responsible person, the appropriate county department designated under s. 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, Stats., and, if appropriate, the resident’s physician, with at least 30 days notice before making a permanent removal under sub. (2) (b), except under sub. (2) (b) 5. or if the continued presence of the resident endangers his or her health, safety or welfare or that of other residents.

1. Unless circumstances posing a danger to the health, safety or welfare of a resident require otherwise, at least 7 days before the planning conference required by subd. 2., the resident, guardian, if any, the appropriate county department designated under s. 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, Stats., and any person designated by the resident, including the resident’s physician, shall be given a notice containing the time and place of the conference, a statement informing the resident that any persons of the resident’s choice may attend the conference and the procedure for submitting a complaint to the department about the prospective removal.

2. Unless the resident is receiving respite care or unless precluded by circumstances posing a danger to the health, safety or welfare of a resident, prior to any permanent involuntary removal under sub. (2) (b), a planning conference shall be held at least 14 days before removal with the resident, the resident’s guardian, if any, any appropriate county agency and any persons designated by the resident, including the resident’s physician or the facility QDIP, to review the need for relocation, assess the effect of relocation on the resident, discuss alternative placements and develop a relocation plan which includes at least those activities listed in subd. 3.

Note: The discharge planning conference requirement for a resident receiving recuperative care is found in s. DHS 134.70 (6).

3. Removal activities shall include:

a. Counseling the resident about the impending removal;

b. Making arrangements for the resident to make at least one visit to the potential alternative placement facility and to meet with that facility’s admissions staff, unless this is medically contraindicated or the resident chooses not to make the visit;

c. Providing assistance in moving the resident and the resident’s belongings and funds to the new facility or quarters; and

d. Making sure that the resident receives needed medications and treatments during relocation.

(d) Transfer and discharge records. Upon removal of a resident, the documents required by s. DHS 134.47 (4) (k) shall be prepared and provided to the facility admitting the resident, along with any other information about the resident needed by the admitting facility. When a resident is permanently released, the facility shall prepare and place in the resident’s record a summary of habilitative, rehabilitative, medical, emotional, social and cognitive findings and progress and plans for care.

(5) Voluntary discharge. When a discharge is voluntary and expected to be permanent, the facility shall, prior to the removal:

(a) Counsel the resident, the parent of a minor resident or the guardian who requests the discharge concerning the advantages and disadvantages of the discharge;

(b) Under the guidance and recommendations of the facility’s interdisciplinary team, make necessary arrangements for appropriate services, including post-discharge planning, protective supervision and follow-up services, during relocation and in the new environment;

(c) Advise the resident who is to be discharged at his or her own request of additional assistance available under sub. (4) (c) 3., and provide that assistance upon request; and

(d) Notify the appropriate county department designated under s. 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, Stats.

(6) Bedhold. If a resident on leave or temporarily discharged expressed the intention on leaving or being discharged of returning to the facility under the terms of the facility’s admission statement for bedhold, the resident may not be denied readmission unless at the time readmission is requested, a condition of sub. (2) (b) exists. The facility shall hold a resident’s bed until the resident returns unless the resident waives his or her right to have the bed held or 15 days has passed following the beginning of leave or temporary discharge.

History: Cr. Register, June, 1988, No. 390, eff. 7-1-88; 2019 Wis. Act 1: am. (4) (c) 2. Register May 2019 No. 761, eff. 6-1-19.

DHS 134.54 Transfer within the facility. Prior to any transfer of a resident between rooms or beds within a facility, the resident or guardian, if any, and any other person designated by the resident or guardian shall be given reasonable notice and an explanation of the reasons for the transfer. Transfer of a resident between rooms or beds within a facility may be made only for medical reasons or for the resident’s welfare or the welfare of other residents or as permitted under s. DHS 134.31 (3) (q) 1.

History: Cr. Register, June, 1988, No. 390, eff. 7-1-88.

Subchapter V — Services

DHS 134.60 Resident care.

(1) Resident care planning.

(a) Interdisciplinary team.

1. An interdisciplinary team shall develop a resident’s individual program plan.