Chapter 55

55.195 55.195 Duties of guardian ad litem for protective services reviews. In any review of a protective services order made under s. 55.12, except as provided in s. 55.19 (2), the guardian ad litem shall do all of the following:

55.195(1) (1) Interview the ward to explain the review procedure, the right to an independent evaluation, the right to counsel, and the right to a hearing.

55.195(2) (2) Provide the information under sub. (1) to the ward in writing.

55.195(3) (3) Request that the court order an additional medical, psychological, or other evaluation of the ward, if necessary.

55.195(4) (4) Review the annual report and relevant reports on the ward’s condition and protective services.

55.195(5) (5) Review the ward’s condition, protective services, and rights with the guardian.

55.195(6) (6) If relevant, report to the court that the ward objects to the finding of continuing incompetency, the present or proposed protective services, the position of the guardian, or the recommendation of the guardian ad litem as to the best interests of the ward or if there is ambiguity about the ward’s position on these matters.

55.195(7) (7) Provide a summary written report to the court.

55.195(8) (8) If relevant, report to the court that the ward requests the appointment of counsel or an adversary hearing.

55.195(9) (9) Attend the hearing.

55.195 History History: 2005 a. 387 ss. 123, 124, 488 to 495; Stats. 2005 s. 55.195; 2007 a. 45.

55.195 Annotation The guardian ad litem is entitled to petition for review as an interested person, which includes any official or representative of a public or private agency, corporation, or association concerned with the person’s welfare. A guardian ad litem appointed by the circuit court to represent the ward’s best interest becomes an official of a public agency concerned with the person’s welfare by virtue of that appointment. Linda L. v. Collis, 2006 WI App 105, 294 Wis. 2d 637, 718 N.W.2d 205, 05-0494.

55.195 Note NOTE: The above annotation relates to protective placements under this chapter prior to the revision of this chapter by 2005 Wis. Act 264.

55.20 55.20 Appeals. An appeal may be taken to the court of appeals from a final judgment or final order under this chapter within the time period specified in s. 808.04 (3) and in accordance with s. 809.30 by the subject of the petition or the individual’s guardian, by any petitioner, or by the representative of the public.

55.20 History History: 2005 a. 264 s. 155.

55.20 Annotation The guardian ad litem is entitled to petition for review as an interested person, which includes any official or representative of a public or private agency, corporation, or association concerned with the person’s welfare. A guardian ad litem appointed by the circuit court to represent the ward’s best interest becomes an official of a public agency concerned with the person’s welfare by virtue of that appointment. Linda L. v. Collis, 2006 WI App 105, 294 Wis. 2d 637, 718 N.W.2d 205, 05-0494.

55.20 Note NOTE: The above annotation relates to protective placements under this chapter prior to the revision of this chapter by 2005 Wis. Act 264.

55.21 55.21 Centers for the developmentally disabled. Protective placements to centers for the developmentally disabled and discharges from such institutions shall be in compliance with s. 51.35 (4).

55.21 History History: 2005 a. 264 s. 153.

55.22 55.22 Records.

55.22(1) (1) No records of the court pertaining to protective services or protective placement proceedings, including evaluations, reviews and recommendations prepared under s. 55.11 (1) (c), are open to public inspection but any record is available to all of the following:

55.22(1)(a) (a) The individual who is the subject of the proceedings and the individual’s guardian at all times.

55.22(1)(b) (b) The individual’s attorney or guardian ad litem, without the individual’s consent and without modification of the records, in order to prepare for any court proceedings relating to the individual’s protective services or protective placement or relating to the individual’s guardianship.

55.22(1)(c) (c) Other persons only with the informed written consent of the individual as provided in s. 51.30 (2) or under an order of the court that maintains the records.

55.22(2) (2) If the individual is a minor, consent for release of information from and access to the court records may be given only as provided in s. 51.30. If the individual is an adult who has been adjudicated incompetent in this state, consent for release of information from and access to court records may be given only as provided in s. 54.75.

55.22(3) (3) All treatment and service records pertaining to an individual who is protected under this chapter or for whom application has been made for protection under this chapter are confidential. Section 51.30 governs access to treatment and service records.

55.22 History History: 2005 a. 264 s. 154; 2005 a. 387 s. 120; 2007 a. 45.

55.23 55.23 Patients’ rights.

55.23(1) (1) The rights and limitations upon rights, procedures for enforcement of rights, and penalties prescribed in s. 51.61 apply to individuals who receive services under this chapter, whether on a voluntary or involuntary basis.

55.23(2) (2) A parent who has been denied periods of physical placement under s. 767.41 (4) (b) or 767.451 (4) may not have the rights of a parent or guardian with respect to access to a minor’s records under this chapter.

55.23 History History: 1977 c. 428; 1987 a. 355; 2005 a. 264 s. 156; Stats. 2005 s. 55.23; 2005 a. 443 s. 265.