Wis. Stat. § 51.044 — WI Code / Chapter 51 / Section 51.044
Section 51.044
Status: in_force

(g) Admission to a psychiatric residential treatment facility is subject to the procedures of this chapter.

(3) Video monitoring.

(a) Notwithstanding s. 51.61 (1) (o) , a psychiatric residential treatment facility may use video surveillance and recordings in common areas, entrances, and exits without the consent of the patient being surveilled or recorded. The psychiatric residential treatment facility shall inform the patient and the patient's parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian about the video surveillance and recording.

(b) Any video recording made under this subsection is confidential and not open to public inspection, except as provided by the department. The department may review any recording made under this subsection.

(c) Video surveillance and recording may not be used as a substitute for one-on-one monitoring of a patient who is at high risk for self-harm.

(d) The department shall require that a psychiatric residential treatment facility adopt a policy for monitoring safety, which may include the use of video surveillance and recording in common areas, entrances, and exits.

(4) Locked units for safety.

(a) A psychiatric residential treatment facility may implement the use of locked units for safety.

(b) The department may require that a psychiatric residential treatment facility adopt a policy for the use of locked units for safety.

(5) Grants. The department may distribute grants to entities to establish a psychiatric residential treatment facility. In distributing grants under this subsection, the department shall give preference toward having at least one psychiatric residential treatment facility in the northern or north-central region of the state and at least one in the southern region of the state.

(6) Insurance. This section may not be construed to limit a psychiatric residential treatment facility from seeking reimbursement for its services from a health benefit plan, as defined in s. 632.745 (11) , or self-insured health plan, as defined in s. 632.85 (1) (c) .

(7) Additional requirements. The department may establish any of the following:

(a) Minimum security requirements for psychiatric residential treatment facilities certified under this section.

(b) A target range for the number of beds in a psychiatric residential treatment facility certified under this section.

(c) Policies for coordination between psychiatric residential treatment facilities certified under this section and any facility established or operated with funding received under s. 165.12 from settlement proceeds from the opiate litigation, as defined in s. 165.12 (1) , as well as policies to encourage awareness of and communication and coordination with other facilities that provide services similar to those provided by psychiatric residential treatment facilities.

(d) Appropriate staffing level requirements, including policies to ensure the availability of adequate in-person and on-site care.

(e) Requirements to define the population to be served at a given psychiatric residential treatment facility, including establishment of any minimum age requirements.

(f) Standards for psychiatric residential treatment facility operations as the department determines are necessary to provide safe and adequate care and treatment of patients and to protect the health and safety of patients and employees of a psychiatric residential treatment facility.

History: 2025 a. 9 .