Chapter 51

51.45(14)(a) (a) Except as otherwise provided in s. 51.30, the registration and treatment records of alcoholism or drug dependence 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 or drug dependence 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) (15) Civil rights and liberties.

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,” is “drug dependent,” is “incapacitated by alcohol,” is “incapacitated by another drug,” 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) (16) Payment for treatment.

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, Drug Dependence, 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 (1978); 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; 2017 a. 34, 59; 2017 a. 364 s. 49.

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 three-person petition under sub. (13) is required for commitment beyond that time period. 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), 94-2995.

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 87 (1975).

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 History History: 1979 c. 331; 1985 a. 281; 2001 a. 16.

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 12 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.

51.49 51.49 Pretrial intoxicated driver intervention grant program.

51.49(1) (1) In this section:

51.49(1)(a) (a) “Defendant” means a person accused of or charged with a 2nd or subsequent violation of operating while intoxicated.

51.49(1)(b) (b) “Eligible applicant” means a city, village, town, county or private nonprofit organization.

51.49(1)(bg) (bg) “Hazardous inhalant” means a substance that is ingested, inhaled, or otherwise introduced into the human body in a manner that does not comply with any cautionary labeling that is required for the substance under s. 100.37 or under federal law, or in a manner that is not intended by the manufacturer of the substance, and that is intended to induce intoxication or elation, to stupefy the central nervous system, or to change the human audio, visual, or mental processes.

51.49(1)(c) (c) “Intoxicant” means any alcohol beverage, hazardous inhalant, controlled substance, controlled substance analog or other drug, or any combination thereof.

51.49(1)(d) (d) “Operating while intoxicated” means a violation of s. 346.63 (1) or (2m) or a local ordinance in conformity therewith or of s. 346.63 (2) or (6), 940.09 (1) or 940.25.

51.49(2) (2) The department shall administer the pretrial intoxicated driver intervention grant program. The program shall award grants to eligible applicants to administer a local pretrial intoxicated driver intervention program that, prior to the sentencing of a defendant for operating while intoxicated, does all of the following:

51.49(2)(a) (a) Identifies the defendant and notifies him or her of the availability and cost of the program and that, if the defendant is convicted, a court will consider the defendant’s participation in the program when imposing a sentence.

51.49(2)(b) (b) Monitors the defendant’s use of intoxicants to reduce the incidence of abuse.

51.49(2)(c) (c) Treats the defendant’s abuse of intoxicants to reduce the incidence of abuse.

51.49(2)(d) (d) Reports to the court on the defendant’s participation in the program.

51.49(2)(e) (e) Requires program participants to pay a reasonable fee to participate in the program. Such a fee may not exceed 20 percent of the actual per capita cost of the program.

51.49(3) (3) The amount of a grant under this section may not exceed 80 percent of the amount expended by an eligible applicant for services related to the program.

51.49(4) (4) 

51.49(4)(a) (a) Not later than December 31 of each even-numbered year, the department shall submit a report to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) that states the number of individuals arrested for a 2nd or subsequent offense of operating while intoxicated; the number of individuals who completed a local pretrial intoxicated driver intervention program; the percentage of successful completion of all individuals who commence such a program; the number of individuals who, after completing such a program, are arrested for a 3rd or subsequent offense of operating while intoxicated; and the number of individuals eligible to participate in a program who did not complete a program and who, after becoming eligible to participate in the program, are arrested for a 3rd or subsequent offense of operating while intoxicated.

51.49(4)(b) (b) An eligible applicant who receives a grant under sub. (2) shall, not later than December 31 of the year for which the grant was made, submit a report to the speaker of the assembly and to the president of the senate in the manner described in s. 13.172 (3) summarizing the results of the pretrial intoxicated driver intervention program administered by the eligible applicant and providing any additional information required by the department.

51.49(5) (5) Consent to participate in a local pretrial intoxicated driver intervention program funded under this section is not an admission of guilt and the consent may not be admitted in evidence in a trial for operating while intoxicated. No statement relating to operating while intoxicated, made by the defendant in connection with any discussions concerning the program or to any person involved in the program, is admissible in a trial for operating while intoxicated.

51.49 History History: 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9, 185; 2013 a. 83; 2015 a. 55 s. 2595; Stats. 2015 s. 51.49.

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) (1) Adults.

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(1)(b) (b) Except as provided in s. 51.45 (13) (b) 2., par. (a) does not apply if the individual knowingly and voluntarily waives counsel.

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) (b)

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: