Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations
Chapter 51 - State alcohol, drug abuse, developmental disabilities and mental health act.
51.35 - Transfers and discharges.

51.35 Transfers and discharges.
(1) Transfer of patients and residents.
(a) Subject to pars. (b), (d), and (dm), the department or the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 may transfer any patient or resident who is committed to it, or who is admitted to a treatment facility under its supervision or operating under an agreement with it, between treatment facilities or from a treatment facility into the community if the transfer is consistent with reasonable medical and clinical judgment, consistent with s. 51.22 (5), and, if the transfer results in a greater restriction of personal freedom for the patient or resident, in accordance with par. (e). Terms and conditions that will benefit the patient or resident may be imposed as part of a transfer to a less restrictive treatment alternative. A patient or resident who is committed to the department or a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 may be required to take medications and receive treatment, subject to the right of the patient or resident to refuse medication and treatment under s. 51.61 (1) (g) and (h), through a community support program as a term or condition of a transfer. The patient or resident shall be informed at the time of transfer of the consequences of violating the terms and conditions of the transfer, including possible transfer back to a treatment facility that imposes a greater restriction on personal freedom of the patient or resident.
(b)
1. Except as provided in pars. (c) and (d), a transfer of a patient in a mental health institute by the department is subject to the approval of the appropriate county department under ss. 51.42 and 51.437 to which the patient was committed or through which the patient was admitted to the mental health institute.
2. Except as provided in pars. (c) and (d), a transfer of a resident of a center for the developmentally disabled by the department is subject to the approval of the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 to which the resident was committed or through which the resident was admitted to the center.
3. Except as provided in pars. (c) and (d), a transfer of a patient in a treatment facility other than as specified in subd. 1. or 2. may be made by the department only after the department has notified the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 of its intent to transfer the patient. The patient's guardian, if any, or if a minor his or her parent or person in the place of a parent shall be notified by the department.
(bm) Transfer of a resident by a county department to a center for the developmentally disabled is subject to s. 51.06 (3).
(c) The department may, without approval of the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437, transfer any patient from a treatment facility to another treatment facility when the condition of the patient requires such transfer without delay. The department shall notify the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 that the transfer has been made. Any patient so transferred may be returned to the treatment facility from which the transfer was made, upon orders from the department or the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437, when the return would be in the best interests of the patient.
(d)
1. Subject to subd. 2. and par. (dm), the department may, without approval of the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437, transfer any patient from a state treatment facility or other inpatient facility to an approved treatment facility which is less restrictive of the patient's personal freedom.
2. Transfer under this paragraph may be made only if the transfer is consistent with the requirements of par. (a), and the department finds that the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 is unable to locate an approved treatment facility in the community, or that the county department has acted in an arbitrary or capricious manner to prevent the transfer of the patient out of the state treatment facility or other inpatient facility contrary to medical and clinical judgment.
(dm) The department may not exercise its authority under par. (a) or (d) 1. to transfer a resident of the southern center for the developmentally disabled to a less restrictive setting unless the resident's guardian or, if the resident is a minor and does not have a guardian, the resident's parent provides explicit written approval and consent for the transfer.
(e)
1. Whenever any transfer between different treatment facilities results in a greater restriction of personal freedom for the patient and whenever the patient is transferred from outpatient to inpatient status, the department or the county department specified under par. (a) shall inform the patient 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 counsel provided at public expense, as provided under s. 51.60, and the right to petition a court in the county in which the patient is located or the committing court for a review of the transfer.
2. In addition to the rights and requirements specified in subd. 1., within 24 hours after any transfer which results in a greater restriction of personal freedom for the patient for a period of more than 5 days or any transfer from outpatient to inpatient status for a period of more than 5 days and if the transfer is due to an alleged violation of a condition of a transfer to less restrictive treatment, the department or the county department specified under par. (a) shall ensure that the patient is provided a written statement of the reasons for the transfer and the facts supporting the transfer and oral and written notice of all of the following:
a. The requirements and rights under subds. 3. to 5.
b. The patient's right to counsel.
c. The patient's right to have counsel provided at public expense, as provided under s. 51.60.
d. The rights of the patient's counsel to investigate the facts specified in the written statement of reasons for the transfer, to consult with the patient prior to the patient's waiving a hearing under subd. 3., to represent the patient at all proceedings on issues relating to the transfer, and to take any legal steps necessary to challenge the transfer.
3. Within 10 days after the transfer specified in subd. 2., a hearing shall be held on whether the form of treatment resulting from the transfer is least restrictive of the patient's personal liberty, consistent with the treatment needs of the patient, and on whether the patient violated a condition of a transfer to less restrictive treatment that resulted in a transfer under subd. 2. The hearing shall be held before a hearing officer designated by the director of the facility to which the patient has been transferred. The hearing officer may not be a person who has had direct responsibility for making treatment decisions for or providing treatment to the subject individual. The patient may appear at the hearing, either personally or by counsel, and may present and cross-examine witnesses and present documentary evidence. The hearing may be waived by the patient only after consultation with counsel. Any waiver made shall be in writing and witnessed by the patient's counsel.
4. The department or the county department seeking the transfer has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the form of treatment resulting from the transfer is least restrictive of the patient's personal liberty, consistent with the treatment needs of the patient, and that the patient violated a condition of a transfer to less restrictive treatment that resulted in a transfer under subd. 2. Hearsay evidence is admissible if the hearing officer makes a determination that the evidence is reliable. Hearsay evidence may not be the sole basis for the decision of the hearing officer.
5. The hearing officer shall, as soon as possible after the hearing, issue a written statement setting forth his or her decision, the reasons for the decision and the facts upon which the decision is based. Within 30 days after the date on which the statement is issued, the patient or the department or the county department seeking the transfer may appeal the decision to a court in the county in which the facility to which the patient has been transferred is located or to the committing court.
6. This paragraph does not apply to a return to a more restrictive facility if the return occurs within 7 days after a temporary transfer from that facility and the return was part of a previously established plan of which the patient was notified at the time of the temporary transfer. This paragraph does not apply to a return of an inmate to a state or county treatment facility under s. 51.20 (13) (cm).
(f) The transfer of a patient or resident to a medical facility for nonpsychiatric medical services does not constitute a transfer within the meaning of this chapter and does not require the procedural protections for return to the original facility which are required by this section for other transfers.
(2) Transfer of certain developmentally disabled patients. The department may authorize a transfer of a patient from a center for the developmentally disabled to a state treatment facility if the patient is mentally ill and exhibits conduct which constitutes a danger as described in s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. to himself or herself or to others in the treatment facility where he or she is present. The department shall file a statement of emergency detention with the committing court within 24 hours after receiving the person for emergency detention. The statement shall conform to the requirements specified in s. 51.15 (4).
(3) Transfer of certain juveniles from secured juvenile facilities.
(a) A licensed psychologist of a juvenile correctional facility or a secured residential care center for children and youth, or a licensed physician of a county department under s. 938.02 (2g) or the department of corrections, who has reason to believe that any individual confined in the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth is, in his or her opinion, in need of services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug dependency or in need of psychiatric services, and who has obtained consent to make a transfer for treatment, shall make a report, in writing, to the superintendent of the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth, stating the nature and basis of the belief and verifying the consent. In the case of a minor age 14 or older who is in need of services for developmental disability or who is in need of psychiatric services, the minor and the minor's parent or guardian shall consent unless the minor is admitted under s. 51.13 (1) (c) or unless the minor refuses to consent, in which case the minor's parent or guardian may consent on behalf of the minor. In the case of a minor age 14 or older who is in need of services for alcoholism or drug dependency or a minor under the age of 14 who is in need of services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug dependency or in need of psychiatric services, only the minor's parent or guardian needs to consent unless the minor is admitted under s. 51.13 (1) (c). The superintendent shall inform, orally and in writing, the minor and the minor's parent or guardian, that transfer is being considered and shall inform them of the basis for the request and their rights as provided in s. 51.13 (3) (am). If the county department or the department of corrections, upon review of a request for transfer, determines that transfer is appropriate, that department shall immediately notify the department of health services and, if the department of health services consents, the county department or department of corrections may immediately transfer the individual. The department of health services shall file a petition under s. 51.13 (4) (a) in the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 of the county where the treatment facility is located.
(b) The court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 shall determine, based on the allegations of the petition and accompanying documents, whether the transfer under par. (a) of the minor to an inpatient facility is appropriate and consistent with the needs of the minor and, if the minor is 14 years of age or older and is being transferred for the purpose of receiving services for developmental disability or psychiatric services, whether consent for the transfer was provided by the minor and his or her parent or guardian or whether the minor was admitted under s. 51.13 (1) (c). If the court is unable to make those determinations based on the petition and accompanying documents, the court may order additional information, including an independent evaluation, to be produced as necessary to make those determinations within 14 days after admission, or the court may hold a hearing within 14 days after admission. If a notation of the minor's unwillingness appears on the face of the petition, if the transfer was made under a consent of the minor's parent or guardian despite the minor's refusal, or if a hearing has been requested by the minor or by the minor's counsel, guardian ad litem, parent, or guardian, the court shall order an independent evaluation of the minor, hold a hearing, and appoint counsel or a guardian ad litem for the minor as provided in s. 51.13 (4) (d). The minor shall be informed about how to contact the state protection and advocacy agency designated under s. 51.62 (2) (a). At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall approve or disapprove the request for transfer. If the minor is under the continuing jurisdiction of the court of another county, the court may order the case transferred together with all appropriate records to that court.
(c) A licensed psychologist of a juvenile correctional facility or a secured residential care center for children and youth or a licensed physician of a county department under s. 938.02 (2g) or the department of corrections, who has reason to believe that any individual confined in the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth, in his or her opinion, has a mental illness, drug dependency, or developmental disability and is dangerous as described in s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2., or is dangerous and is an alcoholic or a person who is drug dependent as described in s. 51.45 (13) (a) 1. and 2., shall file a written report with the superintendent of the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth, stating the nature and basis of the belief. If the superintendent, upon review of the allegations in the report, determines that transfer is appropriate, he or she shall file a petition according to s. 51.20 or 51.45 in the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 of the county where the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth is located. The court shall hold a hearing according to procedures provided in s. 51.20 or 51.45 (13).
(d) Within a reasonable time before the expiration of the confinement of an individual who is transferred under par. (a), if he or she is still in the treatment facility, the director shall make an application under s. 51.20 or 51.45 (13) to the court of the county in which the hospital is located for an inquiry into the individual's mental and physical condition, and thereafter the proceedings shall be as in other applications under such provisions. Notwithstanding ss. 51.20 (1) (b) and 51.45 (13) (a), the application of the director of the treatment facility alone is sufficient.
(e) The department of corrections or a county department under s. 938.02 (2g) may authorize emergency transfer of an individual from a juvenile correctional facility or a secured residential care center for children and youth to a state treatment facility if there is cause to believe that the individual has a mental illness, drug dependency, or developmental disability and exhibits conduct that constitutes a danger as described under s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. a., b., c., or d. to the individual or to others, has a mental illness, is dangerous, and satisfies the standard under s. 51.20 (1) (a) 2. e., or is dangerous and is an alcoholic or a person who is drug dependent as provided in s. 51.45 (13) (a) 1. and 2. The custodian of the sending juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth shall execute a statement of emergency detention or petition for emergency commitment for the individual and deliver it to the receiving state treatment facility. The department of health services shall file the statement or petition with the court within 24 hours after the subject individual is received for detention or commitment. The statement or petition shall conform to s. 51.15 (4) or (5) or 51.45 (12) (b). After an emergency transfer is made, the director of the receiving facility may file a petition for continued commitment under s. 51.20 (1) or 51.45 (13) or may return the individual to the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth from which the transfer was made. As an alternative to this procedure, the procedure provided in s. 51.15 or 51.45 (12) may be used, except that no individual may be released without the approval of the court that directed confinement in the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth.
(f) A copy of the patient's rights established in s. 51.61 shall be given and explained to the minor and his or her parent or guardian at the time of admission by the director of the facility or such person's designee.
(g) A minor 14 years of age or older who is transferred to a treatment facility under par. (a) for the purpose of receiving services for developmental disability or psychiatric services and the minor's parent or guardian may request in writing a return to the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth, except that, if the minor refuses to make the request, the parent or guardian may make the request on behalf of the minor. In the case of a minor 14 years of age or older who is transferred to a treatment facility under par. (a) for the purpose of receiving services for alcoholism or drug dependency or a minor under 14 years of age who is transferred to a treatment facility under par. (a) for the purpose of receiving services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug dependency, or psychiatric services, the parent or guardian may make the request. Upon receipt of a request for return from a minor 14 years of age or older, the director shall immediately notify the minor's parent or guardian, if available. A minor 14 years of age or older who requests and whose parent or guardian requests and a minor who was admitted under s. 51.13 (1) (c) who requests discharge in writing shall be returned to the juvenile correctional facility or secured residential care center for children and youth within 48 hours after submission of the request unless a statement is filed for emergency detention or a petition is filed for emergency commitment, involuntary commitment, or protective placement.
(4) Discharge.
(a) The county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 shall grant a discharge from an order of commitment when it determines that the patient no longer meets the standard for recommitment under s. 51.20 (13) (g). The county department shall grant a discharge to a patient who is voluntarily admitted to an inpatient facility if the treatment director determines that treatment is no longer necessary or if the individual requests such discharge. Discharge or retention of a patient who is voluntarily admitted is subject to the procedures prescribed in ss. 51.10 (5) and 51.13 (7).
(b) The department shall grant a discharge from commitment or from voluntary admission for patients committed or voluntarily admitted to a facility under control of the department. The standards applied by the department in granting a discharge shall be the same as those provided in par. (a). The department may not discharge from a commitment an individual who has been committed to a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 without first obtaining approval of that county department. The department may discharge a voluntarily admitted patient if the appropriate county department is notified. Transfers of patients may be made by the department in accordance with sub. (1).
(c) The director of an inpatient facility may grant a discharge or may terminate services to any patient who is voluntarily admitted under s. 51.10 or 51.13 when, on the advice of the treatment staff, such discharge or termination is in the best interests of the patient.
(d) The director of an inpatient facility may, under the requirements of s. 51.10 (5) (c) or 51.13 (7), grant a discharge or may terminate services to any patient admitted under s. 51.10 or 51.13.
(e) A discharge may be issued to a patient who participates in outpatient, aftercare, or follow-up treatment programs. The discharge may permit the patient to receive necessary medication, outpatient treatment, consultation and guidance from the issuing facility at the request of the patient. Such discharge is not subject to withdrawal by the issuing agency.
(f) Notice of discharge shall be filed with the committing court, if any, by the department or the board which granted the discharge. After such discharge, if it becomes necessary for the individual who is discharged to have further care and treatment, and such individual cannot be voluntarily admitted, a new commitment must be obtained, following the procedure for the original commitment.
(4m) Transfer or discharge of persons with serious and persistent mental illness. The department or county department under s. 51.42 or any person authorized to discharge or transfer patients under this section shall, prior to the discharge of a patient with serious and persistent mental illness from an inpatient facility, or prior to the transfer of a patient with serious and persistent mental illness from inpatient to outpatient status, with the patient's permission if the patient is a voluntary patient, do all of the following:
(a) Refer the patient to the county department under s. 51.42 which is responsible for the patient's care for referral to a community support program in the county to which the patient will be discharged or transferred for evaluation of the need for and feasibility of the provision of community-based services and of the need for and feasibility of the provision of aftercare services.
(b) Assist the patient in applying for any public assistance for which he or she may qualify.
(5) Residential living arrangements; transitionary services. The department and any person, director, or board authorized to discharge or transfer patients under this section shall ensure that a proper residential living arrangement and the necessary transitionary services are available and provided for the patient being discharged or transferred. Under this subsection, a proper residential living arrangement may not include a shelter facility, as defined under s. 16.308 (1) (d), unless the discharge or transfer to the shelter facility is made on an emergency basis for a period not to exceed 10 days.
(6) Veterans.
(a) When the department has notice that any person other than a prisoner is entitled to receive care and treatment in a U.S. department of veterans affairs facility, the person may petition the department of health services for a transfer to such facility, and that department may procure admission to the facility.
(b) If an individual who is committed under s. 51.37 is entitled to receive care and treatment in a U.S. department of veterans affairs facility, the person may petition the department of health services for a transfer to such facility. If the department declines to grant the request, it shall give the person a written reply, stating the reasons for its position. The decision of the department is subject to review by the court which passed sentence or ordered commitment of the person.
(7) Guardianship and protective services. Prior to discharge from any state treatment facility, the department shall review the possible need of a developmentally disabled individual, aged infirm individual, or individual with other like incapacities for protective services or protective placement under ch. 55 after discharge, including the necessity for appointment of a guardian. The department shall petition for guardianship, or for protective services or protective placement for the person if needed. When the department makes a petition for guardianship under this subsection, it shall not be appointed as guardian.
(8) Home visits and leaves authorized.
(a) The department or the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 may grant to a patient or resident who is committed to it under this chapter, or who is admitted or transferred under this chapter to a facility under its supervision or operating under a contractual agreement with it, a home visit for up to 15 days, or a leave for employment or education purposes in which the patient or resident is not absent from the facility for more than 15 days.
(b) If a patient or resident who is detained under s. 51.15, committed under s. 51.20 or transferred under sub. (3) does not return to the treatment facility by the time designated in the granting of the home visit or leave, the director of the treatment facility may request the sheriff of the county in which the individual is found to return the individual to the facility. The sheriff shall act in accordance with s. 51.39.
(c) This subsection does not apply to persons transferred from a prison or jail under s. 51.37 (5).
(d) A home visit or leave does not constitute a transfer under this chapter, and does not require a hearing under this section or s. 51.61.
History: 1975 c. 430 ss. 18, 81; 1977 c. 26, 29, 428; 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (1); 1981 c. 74 s. 2; 1981 c. 314 s. 144; 1983 a. 27, 441, 474; 1985 a. 29, 176, 332; 1987 a. 366, 403; 1989 a. 31, 56, 107; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 451; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3258m, 3259m, 9126 (19); 1995 a. 77, 292; 1997 a. 35; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16 ss. 1967f to 1967j, 4034zi; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 22, 264, 344, 387, 444; 2007 a. 20 ss. 1818 to 1819, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 96; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 161; 2017 a. 34, 185.
NOTE: 1987 Wis. Act 366, which amended this section, contains notes by the Legislative Council following many of the statutes affected.
Sub. (1) (e) does not require a hearing to be conducted within ten days of a transfer when the transfer is based on reasonable medical and clinical judgment under sub. (1) (e) 1. A hearing must be conducted within ten days of a transfer when: 1) the transfer “results in a greater restriction of personal freedom for the patient for a period of more than 5 days" or is “from outpatient to inpatient status for a period of more than 5 days;" and 2) the transfer is based on “an alleged violation of a condition of a transfer to less restrictive treatment" under sub. (1) (e) 2. or 3. Manitowoc County v. Samuel J.H., 2013 WI 68, 349 Wis. 2d 202, 833 N.W.2d 109, 12-0665.

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