Chapter 55

55.043(6)(br) (br) Notwithstanding par. (b) 1. to 10., an adult-at-risk agency or an investigative agency may not release departmental report forms under this section, if any of the following applies:

55.043(6)(br)1. 1. The adult-at-risk agency determines that release would be contrary to the best interests of the adult at risk who is the subject of the departmental report form or of a minor residing with the subject of the departmental report form, or the release is likely to cause mental, emotional, or physical harm to the subject of the departmental report form or to any other individual.

55.043(6)(br)2. 2. The district attorney determines that disclosure of the information would jeopardize any ongoing or future criminal investigation or prosecution or would jeopardize a defendant’s right to a fair trial.

55.043(6)(br)3. 3. The adult-at-risk agency determines that disclosure would jeopardize ongoing or future civil investigations or proceedings or would jeopardize the fairness of such a legal proceeding.

55.043(6)(bt) (bt) Subject to pars. (b), (bd), (br), (bv) and (bw), records under this subsection are confidential and may not be released by the adult-at-risk agency or other investigative agency, except under the following circumstances, upon request:

55.043(6)(bt)1. 1. To the adult at risk who is the alleged victim named in the record.

55.043(6)(bt)2. 2. To the legal guardian, conservator, or other legal representative of the adult at risk who is the alleged victim named in the record, if the legal guardian, conservator, or other legal representative of the alleged victim is not the alleged perpetrator of the abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect.

55.043(6)(bt)3. 3. To law enforcement officials and agencies in accordance with the policy developed under sub. (1g) (a) or with investigations conducted under sub. (1r), or a district attorney, for purposes of investigation or prosecution.

55.043(6)(bt)4. 4. To the department, under s. 51.03 (2), or for death investigations under s. 50.04 (2t) or 50.035 (5); or to a sheriff, police department, or district attorney for death investigations under s. 51.64 (2) (a).

55.043(6)(bt)5. 5. To an employee of the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 that is providing services to an adult at risk who is the alleged victim named in the record, or to the alleged perpetrator of abuse, to determine whether the alleged victim should be transferred to a less restrictive or more appropriate treatment modality or facility.

55.043(6)(bt)6. 6. To a court, tribal court, or state governmental agency for a proceeding relating to the licensure or regulation of an individual or entity regulated or licensed by the state governmental agency, that was an alleged perpetrator of abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect.

55.043(6)(bt)7. 7. To the department, for management, audit, program monitoring, evaluation, billing, or collection purposes.

55.043(6)(bt)8. 8. To the attorney or guardian ad litem for the adult at risk who is the alleged victim named in the record, to assist in preparing for any proceeding under this chapter or ch. 48, 51, 54, 813, 971, or 975 pertaining to the alleged victim.

55.043(6)(bt)9. 9. To a coroner, medical examiner, pathologist, or other physician investigating the cause of death of an adult at risk that is unexplained or unusual or is associated with unexplained or suspicious circumstances.

55.043(6)(bt)10. 10. To staff members of the protection and advocacy agency designated under s. 51.62 and the board on aging and long-term care under s. 16.009.

55.043(6)(bt)11. 11. To an agency, including a probation or parole agency, that is legally responsible for the supervision of an alleged perpetrator of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an adult at risk.

55.043(6)(bt)12. 12. To a grand jury, if it determines that access to specified records is necessary for the conduct of its official business.

55.043(6)(bt)13. 13. Under a lawful order of a court of record.

55.043(6)(bv) (bv) The identity of a person making a report of alleged abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or financial exploitation shall be deleted from any record prior to its release under par. (bt) or from any departmental report form prior to its release under par. (b). The identity of any reporter may only be released with the written consent of the reporter or under a lawful order of a court of record.

55.043(6)(bw) (bw) A person to whom a departmental report form or a record is disclosed under this subsection may not further disclose it, except to the persons and for the purposes specified in this subsection.

55.043(6)(by) (by) A custodian of records or departmental report forms incurs no civil or criminal liability under this subsection and may not be found guilty of unprofessional conduct for the release or nonrelease of records or departmental report forms in accordance with this subsection while acting in good faith and within the scope of his or her authority.

55.043(7) (7) Exception. Nothing in this section may be construed to mean that a person is abused, financially exploited, neglected, or in need of direct or protective services solely because he or she consistently relies upon treatment by spiritual means through prayer for healing in lieu of medical care in accordance with his or her religious tradition.

55.043(8) (8) Department duties.

55.043(8)(a) (a) The department shall develop a plan to assist adult-at-risk agencies in determining appropriate responses to reports of abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect.

55.043(8)(b) (b) The department shall prepare and distribute sample departmental report forms for use by adult-at-risk agencies.

55.043(8)(c) (c) The department shall collect statistical information from each county pertaining to each reported case of abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect. The department may require adult-at-risk agency workers or investigators to submit departmental report forms to the department that summarize the information being reported. These departmental report forms may not name or otherwise identify individuals. The department shall use this information to review the effectiveness of this section, to plan program changes, and to formulate reports.

55.043(8)(d) (d) The department shall develop and disseminate information on adult-at-risk abuse and the adult-at-risk reporting system under this section. The department shall also develop informational materials to be used by adult-at-risk agencies regarding abuse of adults at risk and regarding the adult-at-risk abuse reporting system. The department shall solicit contributions of labor, materials, and expertise from private sources to assist in developing the informational materials.

55.043(9m) (9m) Penalties.

55.043(9m)(a) (a) Any person, including the state or any political subdivision of the state, violating sub. (6) is liable to any person damaged as a result of the violation for such damages as may be proved, together with exemplary damages of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each violation and the costs and reasonable actual attorney fees that are incurred by the person damaged.

55.043(9m)(b) (b) In any action brought under par. (a) in which the court determines that the violator acted in a manner that was knowing and willful, the violator shall be liable for such damages as may be proved together with exemplary damages of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 for each violation, together with costs and reasonable actual attorney fees as may be incurred. It is not a prerequisite to an action under par. (a) that the plaintiff suffer or be threatened with actual damages.

55.043(9m)(c) (c) An individual may bring an action to enjoin any violation of sub. (6) or to compel compliance with sub. (6), and may in the same action seek damages as provided in this subsection. The individual may recover costs and reasonable actual attorney fees incurred in the action, if he or she prevails.

55.043(9m)(d) (d) Whoever violates sub. (1m) (c) 1. may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

55.043(9m)(e) (e) Whoever intentionally violates sub. (1m) (b) by failure to report as required may be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.

55.043 History History: 1993 a. 445; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 74, 103; 2005 a. 264, 388; 2007 a. 45; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55, 179; 2021 a. 122; 2023 a. 55.

55.043 Note NOTE: 2005 Wis. Act 388 made major revisions to this section and contains extensive explanatory notes.

55.043 Annotation Adult Protective Services: On the Front Line Against Elder Abuse. Page. Wis. Law. June 2020.

55.045 55.045 Funding. Except as provided in s. 49.45 (30m) (a), the appropriate county department shall within the limits of available state and federal funds and of county funds required to be appropriated to match state funds, provide for the reasonable program needs of individuals who are provided protective placement or who receive protective services under this chapter, including reasonable expenses for the evaluations required by s. 55.11. Payment and collections for protective placement or protective services provided in public facilities specified in s. 46.10 shall be governed in accordance with s. 46.10. The department may require that an individual who is provided protective placement or receives protective services under this chapter provide reimbursement for services or care and custody received, based on the ability of the individual to pay for such costs.

55.045 History History: 1995 a. 92; 1999 a. 32; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 264.

55.05 55.05 Voluntary protective services.

55.05(1) (1) Preference. The department in administering the protective services program shall contract with county departments and other agencies. If the county department contracts for protective services, the department and the county departments shall give preference to an agency with consumer and other citizen representation. The department shall provide services only if no other suitable agency is available. Courts shall adhere to the same preferences in ordering protective services.

55.05(2) (2) Conditions required. The department or a county department or agency with which the county department contracts under s. 55.02 (2) that provides protective services may provide the services under any of the following conditions:

55.05(2)(a) (a) An individual who needs or believes he or she needs protective services requests the services.

55.05(2)(b) (b) An interested person requests protective services on behalf of an individual in need of services. A guardian may request and consent to protective services on behalf of the guardian’s ward. An agent under an activated power of attorney for health care may request and consent to protective services on behalf of the agent’s principal.

55.05(3) (3) Voluntary protective services preferred. An individual shall receive protective services voluntarily unless ordered by the court under s. 55.12, requested by the individual’s guardian or agent under an activated power of attorney for health care, or provided on an emergency basis in accordance with s. 55.13.

55.05 History History: 1973 c. 284; 1975 c. 393; 1981 c. 379; 1985 a. 29 s. 3200 (56); 1985 a. 135 s. 83 (3); 1985 a. 176; 1987 a. 161 ss. 7, 13m; 1987 a. 366; 1989 a. 200; 1991 a. 316; 1993 a. 187, 316, 445; 2005 a. 264, 387.

55.055 55.055 Admissions initially made without court involvement.

55.055(1) (1) 

55.055(1)(a) (a) The guardian of an individual who has been adjudicated incompetent may consent to the individual’s admission to a foster home, group home, or community-based residential facility, as defined under s. 50.01 (1g), without a protective placement order under s. 55.12 if the home or facility is licensed for fewer than 16 beds. Prior to providing that consent, and annually thereafter, the guardian shall review the ward’s right to the least restrictive residential environment and may consent only to admission to a home or facility that implements that right.

55.055(1)(b) (b) The guardian of an individual who has been adjudicated incompetent may consent to the individual’s admission to a nursing home or other facility not specified in par. (a) for which protective placement is otherwise required for a period not to exceed 60 days. In order to be admitted under this paragraph, the individual must be in need of recuperative care or be unable to provide for his or her own care or safety so as to create a serious risk of substantial harm to himself or herself or others. Prior to providing that consent, the guardian shall review the ward’s right to the least restrictive residential environment and consent only to admission to a nursing home or other facility that implements that right. Following the 60-day period, the admission may be extended for an additional 60 days if a petition for protective placement under s. 55.075 has been brought, or, if no petition for protective placement under s. 55.075 has been brought, for an additional 30 days for the purpose of allowing the initiation of discharge planning for the individual. Admission under this paragraph is not permitted for an individual for whom the primary purpose of admission is for treatment or services related to the individual’s mental illness or developmental disability.

55.055(1)(c) (c) The guardian of a ward who has been found incompetent in a state other than this state may consent to admission of the ward under par. (a) or (b) if the ward is currently a resident of this state. A petition to transfer a foreign guardianship and, if applicable, a petition for protective placement shall be filed in this state within 60 days after the ward’s admission under this paragraph.

55.055(1)(d) (d) A resident of this state who is the guardian of a ward who has been found incompetent in, and resides in, a state other than this state may consent to an admission of the ward under par. (a) or (b) if the guardian intends to move the ward to this state within 30 days after the consent to the admission. A petition to transfer a foreign guardianship and, if applicable, a petition for protective placement shall be filed in this state within 60 days after a ward’s admission under this paragraph.

55.055(2) (2) 

55.055(2)(a) (a) In this subsection, “facility” means any of the following:

55.055(2)(a)1. 1. A group home.

55.055(2)(a)2. 2. A foster home.

55.055(2)(a)3. 3. A community-based residential facility, as defined in s. 50.01 (1g).

55.055(2)(a)4. 4. An adult family home, as defined in s. 50.01 (1).

55.055(2)(a)5. 5. A nursing home, as defined in s. 50.01 (3).

55.055(2)(b) (b) Whenever a petition for guardianship on the ground of incompetency is filed with respect to an individual who resides in a facility licensed for 16 or more beds, a petition for protective placement of the individual shall also be filed. The individual may continue to reside in the facility until the court issues a decision on the petition for guardianship and protective placement of the individual. Thereafter, the individual may continue to reside in the facility only if the court’s order under s. 55.12 specifies protective placement of the individual in a facility licensed for 16 or more beds.

55.055(3) (3) If an individual admitted under sub. (1) verbally objects to or otherwise actively protests such an admission, the person in charge of the home, nursing home, or other facility shall immediately notify the county department for the county in which the individual is living. Representatives of that county department shall visit the individual as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours after notification, and do the following:

55.055(3)(a) (a) Determine whether the protest persists or has been voluntarily withdrawn and consult with the individual’s guardian regarding the reasons for the admission.

55.055(3)(b) (b) Attempt to have the individual released within 72 hours if the protest is not withdrawn and the individual does not satisfy all standards under s. 55.08 (1) or criteria under s. 55.135 (1) and provide assistance in identifying appropriate alternative living arrangements.

55.055(3)(c) (c) Comply with s. 55.135, if the individual satisfies all criteria under s. 55.135 (1) and emergency placement in that home, nursing home, or other facility or another home, nursing home, or other facility is necessary, or file a petition for protective placement under s. 55.075. The court, with the permission of the home, nursing home, or other facility, may order the individual to remain in the home, nursing home, or other facility pending the outcome of the protective placement proceedings.

55.055(4) (4) The admission to a health care facility, as defined in s. 155.01 (6), of a principal by a health care agent under the terms of a power of attorney for health care instrument and in accordance with ch. 155 or the admission of an individual to a nursing home or community-based residential facility under the requirements of s. 50.06 is not a protective placement under this chapter.

55.055(5) (5) If a ward lives with his or her guardian, the guardian may make temporary protective placement of the ward, to provide the guardian with a vacation or to release the guardian temporarily for a family emergency. The temporary protective placement may be made for not more than 30 days but the court may, upon application, grant an additional period not to exceed 60 days in all. The application shall include any information that the court may reasonably deem necessary. When reviewing the application, the court shall provide the least restrictive temporary protective placement that is consistent with the needs of the ward.

55.055 History History: 2005 a. 264 ss. 101, 103 to 112, 150; 2005 a. 387; 2007 a. 45; 2015 a. 197 s. 51.

55.055 Annotation A guardian of a person who became incompetent after voluntarily entering a nursing home with 16 or more beds may not consent to the person’s continued residence in the home. Upon the appointment of a guardian, the court must hold a protective placement hearing. Agnes T. v. Milwaukee County, 189 Wis. 2d 520, 525 N.W.2d 268 (1995).

55.055 Annotation Under s. 55.17, the court may order a termination of a protective placement only if the standards in s. 55.08 (1) are no longer met; if they are met, the court must order a continuation, though it may change the placement if the person is not in the least restrictive setting. Nowhere does s. 55.17 provide that the court may terminate an order for protective placement if under sub. (1) the person could remain in the facility without a protective order. Jackson County Department of Health & Human Services v. Susan H., 2010 WI App 82, 326 Wis. 2d 246, 785 N.W.2d 677, 09-1997.

55.055 Annotation Guardianships and Protective Placements in Wisconsin After Agnes T. Fennell. Wis. Law. May 1995.

55.055 Note NOTE: The above annotations relate to protective placements under this chapter prior to the revision of this chapter by 2005 Wis. Act 264.

55.06 55.06 Protective services and protective placement; eligibility. To be eligible for court-ordered protective placement or protective services, an individual shall have filed a petition to transfer a foreign guardianship, whether present in the state or not, or shall be a resident of the state; and shall have a need for protective placement or protective services. The individual shall have attained the age of 18, but an individual who is alleged to have a developmental disability may receive protective placement or protective services upon attaining the age of 14. Protective placement or protective services may be ordered under this chapter only for an individual who is adjudicated incompetent in this state or for a minor who is alleged to have a developmental disability, and only if there is a finding of a need for protective placement under s. 55.08 (1), and ss. 55.055 (5), 55.13, and 55.135 are inappropriate or do not apply. A procedure for court-ordered protective placement or protective services may be initiated 6 months before a minor attains age 18.

55.06 History History: 1973 c. 284; 1975 c. 41; 1975 c. 94 s. 3; 1975 c. 189 s. 99 (2); 1975 c. 393, 421, 422; 1975 c. 430 ss. 67 to 71, 80; 1977 c. 26, 299, 428; 1977 c. 449 s. 497; 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (1); 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (1); 1979 c. 221; 1981 c. 314 s. 146; 1981 c. 379; 1983 a. 27; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (19); 1983 a. 219; 1985 a. 29 ss. 1143, 3202 (23); 1987 a. 366; 1989 a. 31, 359; 1991 a. 269; 1993 a. 187, 451; 1995 a. 27, 92; 1997 a. 237, 283; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 33, 326; 2005 a. 253, 264, 387; 2007 a. 45.

55.06 Annotation Guardianships & Protective Placements. Viney. Wis. Law. Aug. 1991.

55.06 Annotation Guardianships and Protective Placements in Wisconsin After Agnes T. Fennell. Wis. Law. May 1995.

55.06 Note NOTE: The above annotations relate to protective placements under this chapter prior to the revision of this chapter by 2005 Wis. Act 264.

55.06 Annotation The ch. 55 exclusion in s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. e. includes an individual who is already subject to an order for protective placement or services, if there is another placement or additional services available under this chapter that would be effective in reducing the probability of the requisite harm to less than a substantial probability. This exclusion may apply to an individual who is not yet subject to an order under this chapter but who is eligible for one. Involuntary administration of medication under this section may be one of the additional services that would satisfy this exclusion, if the guardian consents and depending on the individual’s circumstances. Dane County v. Kelly M., 2011 WI App 69, 333 Wis. 2d 719, 798 N.W.2d 697, 10-1486.

55.06 Annotation Rehabilitation is a necessary element of treatment under ch. 51. Because there are no techniques that can be employed to bring about rehabilitation from Alzheimer’s disease, an individual with the disease cannot be rehabilitated. Accordingly, an Alzheimer’s patient is not a proper subject for ch. 51 treatment. Fond du Lac County v. Helen E.F., 2012 WI 50, 340 Wis. 2d 500, 814 N.W.2d 179, 10-2061.

55.075 55.075 Protective services or protective placement; petition. Except as provided in s. 971.14 (6) (b):

55.075(1) (1) Who may petition. The department, the county department or an agency with which the county department contracts under s. 55.02 (2), a guardian, or an interested person may file a petition for appointment of a guardian and for protective services or protective placement for an individual. The department shall provide for a schedule of reimbursement for the cost of the proceedings based upon the ability to pay of the proposed ward or individual to be protected.

55.075(2) (2) Contents of petition.

55.075(2)(a) (a) A petition shall allege that the individual meets the standards specified in s. 55.08 (1) or (2) and state with particularity the factual basis for the allegations.

55.075(2)(b) (b) The petition shall be based on personal knowledge of the individual alleged to need protective placement or protective services.

55.075(3) (3) Petition for guardianship; review of incompetency. A petition for guardianship described in s. 55.08 (1) (b) or (2) (a) shall be heard prior to ordering protective placement or protective services. If the individual is adjudicated incompetent in this state more than 12 months before the filing of an application for protective placement or protective services on his or her behalf, the court shall review the finding of incompetency.

55.075(4) (4) Fees and costs of petition.

55.075(4)(a) (a) The court shall award, from the assets of the individual sought to be protectively placed or protectively served, payment of the petitioner’s reasonable attorney fees and costs, unless the court finds, after considering all of the following, that it would be inequitable to do so:

55.075(4)(a)1. 1. The petitioner’s interest in the matter, including any conflict of interest that the petitioner may have had in pursuing the guardianship or protective placement or services.

55.075(4)(a)2. 2. The ability of the estate of the individual sought to be protectively placed or protectively served to pay the petitioner’s reasonable attorney fees and costs.

55.075(4)(a)3. 3. Whether the petition was contested and, if so, the nature of the contest.

55.075(4)(a)4. 4. Whether the individual sought to be protectively placed or protectively served had executed a durable power of attorney for finances and property under ch. 244 or a power of attorney for health care under s. 155.05 or had provided advance consent to nursing home admission or engaged in other advance planning to avoid protective placement or protective services.