Wis. Stat. § 51.13 — WI Code / Chapter 51 / Section 51.13
Admission of minors.
Status: in_force

(1) Admission for treatment.

(a) Minors under 14 years of age. Except as provided in par. (c) and ss. 51.45 (2m) and 51.47 , the application for admission of a minor who is under 14 years of age to an approved inpatient treatment facility for the primary purpose of treatment for mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug abuse shall be executed by a parent who has legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian. Any statement or conduct by a minor who is the subject of an application for admission under this paragraph indicating that the minor does not agree to admission to the facility shall be noted on the face of the application.

(b) Minors 14 years of age or older; mental illness or developmental disability. The application for admission of a minor who is 14 years of age or older to an approved inpatient treatment facility for the primary purpose of treatment for mental illness or developmental disability shall be executed by the minor and a parent who has legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian, except as provided in par. (c) . If the minor refuses to execute the application, a parent who has legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian may execute the application on the minor’s behalf, and the petition shall be filed as required under sub. (4) .

(bm) Minors 14 years of age or older; alcoholism or drug abuse treatment. Except as provided in par. (c) and ss. 51.45 (2m) and 51.47 , the application for admission of a minor who is 14 years of age or older to an approved inpatient facility for the primary purpose of treatment for alcoholism or drug abuse shall be executed by a parent who has legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian. Any statement or conduct by a minor who is the subject of an application for admission under this paragraph indicating that the minor does not agree to admission to the facility shall be noted on the face of the application and shall be noted in the petition required under sub. (4) .

(c) Lack of parent or guardian consent to treatment. If a minor wishes to be admitted to an approved inpatient treatment facility but a parent with legal custody or the guardian cannot be found, there is no parent with legal custody or guardian, or the parent with legal custody or guardian of a minor 14 years of age or older refuses to execute the application, the minor or a person acting on the minor’s behalf may petition the court under sub. (4) . The court may, at the minor’s request, temporarily approve the admission pending hearing on the petition, if such a hearing is required under sub. (4) .

(d) Other petition filed. A minor against whom a petition or statement has been filed under s. 51.15 , 51.20 , or 51.45 (12) or (13) may be admitted under this section. The court may permit the minor to become a patient under this section upon approval by the court of an application executed under par. (a) , (b) , or (c) . The court shall then dismiss the proceedings under s. 51.15 , 51.20 , or 51.45 (12) or (13) . If a hearing is held under this subsection, no hearing under sub. (4) is required.

(e) Admission on approval of application. A minor may be admitted immediately upon the approval of the application executed under par. (a) or (b) by the treatment director of the facility or his or her designee or, in the case of a center for the developmentally disabled, the director of the center or his or her designee, and, if the county department is to be responsible for the cost of the minor’s therapy and treatment, the director of the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 . Admission under par. (c) or (d) shall also be approved, within 14 days of the minor’s admission, by the treatment director of the facility or his or her designee, or in the case of a center for the developmentally disabled, the director of the center or his or her designee and, if the county department is to be responsible for the cost of the minor’s therapy and treatment, the director of the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 .

(em) Standards for approval of admission. Approval under par. (e) shall be based upon an informed professional opinion that the minor is in need of psychiatric services or services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug abuse, that the treatment facility offers inpatient therapy or treatment that is appropriate for the minor’s needs, and that inpatient care in the facility is the least restrictive therapy or treatment consistent with the minor’s needs. In the case of a minor who is being admitted for the primary purpose of treatment for alcoholism or drug abuse, approval shall also be based on the results of an alcohol or other drug abuse assessment that conforms to the criteria specified in s. 938.547 (4) .

(3) Notice of rights.

(am) Rights. Prior to admission if possible, or as soon thereafter as possible, the minor who is admitted under sub. (1) (a) or (b) and the minor’s parent or guardian shall be informed by the director of the facility or his or her designee, both orally and in writing, in easily understandable language, of the review procedure in sub. (4) , including the standards to be applied by the court and the possible dispositions; the minor’s right to an independent evaluation, if ordered by the court; the minor’s right to be informed about how to contact the state protection and advocacy agency designated under s. 51.62 (2) (a) ; the right under sub. (4) (d) to a hearing upon request under sub. (4) ; the minor’s right to appointed counsel as provided in sub. (4) (d) if a hearing is held; for a minor other than a minor specified under par. (b) , the right of the minor or parent or guardian to request the minor’s discharge as provided in or limited by sub. (7) (b) ; and the minor’s right to a hearing to determine continued appropriateness of the admission as provided in sub. (7) (c) .

(b) Right to request discharge. Prior to or at admission, a minor who is voluntarily admitted under sub. (1) (c) , and the minor’s parent or guardian, if available, shall be informed by the director or his or her designee, both orally and in writing, in easily understandable language, of the minor’s right to request discharge and to be discharged within 48 hours of the request, as provided under sub. (7) (b) , if no statement is filed for emergency detention or if no petition is filed for emergency commitment, involuntary commitment, or protective placement, and the minor’s right to consent to or refuse treatment as provided in s. 51.61 (6) .

(d) Explanation of rights. A copy of the patient’s rights established in s. 51.61 shall be given and explained to the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian at the time of admission by the director of the facility or such person’s designee.

(e) Availability of writing materials. Writing materials for use in requesting a hearing or discharge under this section shall be made available to minors at all times by every inpatient treatment facility. The staff of each such facility shall assist minors in preparing and submitting requests for discharge or hearing.

(4) Petition requirement; review procedure.

(a) When petition filed. Within 3 days after the admission of a minor under sub. (1) (b) , or within 3 days after an application is executed for admission of the minor, whichever occurs first, the treatment director of the facility or the center for the developmentally disabled to which the minor is admitted, or his or her designee, shall file a verified petition for review of the admission in the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 in the county in which the facility is located, if the minor is 14 years of age or older and refuses to join in the application; the minor wants treatment and the minor’s parent with legal custody or guardian refuses to join in the application; there is no parent with legal custody or guardian; or the parent with legal custody or guardian cannot be found. If the parent or guardian is not the petitioner, a copy of the petition and a notice of hearing shall be served on the parent or guardian at his or her last known address. A copy of the application for admission and of any relevant professional evaluations shall be attached to the petition. The petition shall contain all of the following:

1. The name, address and date of birth of the minor.

2. The names and addresses of the minor’s parents or guardian.

3. The facts substantiating the petitioner’s belief in the minor’s need for psychiatric services, or services for developmental disability, alcoholism or drug abuse.

4. The facts substantiating the appropriateness of inpatient treatment in the inpatient treatment facility.

5. The basis for the petitioner’s opinion that inpatient care in the facility is the least restrictive treatment consistent with the needs of the minor.

6. Notation of any refusal of the minor 14 years of age or older to join in the application.

(b) Removal of petition. If hardship would otherwise occur and if the best interests of the minor would be served thereby, the court may, on its own motion or on the motion of any interested party, remove the petition to the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 of the county of residence of the parent or guardian.

(c) Copy of petition. A copy of the petition shall be provided by the petitioner to the minor and, if available, his or her parents or guardian within 5 days after admission.

(d) Criteria for approving admission. Within 5 days after the filing of the petition, the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 shall determine, based on the allegations of the petition and accompanying documents, whether there is a prima facie showing that the minor is in need of psychiatric services, or services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug abuse, whether the treatment facility offers inpatient therapy or treatment that is appropriate to the minor’s needs; whether inpatient care in the treatment facility is the least restrictive therapy or treatment consistent with the needs of the minor; and, if the minor 14 years of age or older has been admitted to the treatment facility for the primary purpose of treatment for mental illness or developmental disability, whether the admission was made under an application executed by the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian. If such a showing is made, the court shall permit admission. If the court is unable to make those determinations based on the petition and accompanying documents, the court may dismiss the petition as provided in par. (h) ; order additional information, including an independent evaluation, to be produced as necessary for the court to make those determinations within 7 days, exclusive of weekends and legal holidays, after admission or application for admission, whichever is sooner; or hold a hearing within 7 days, exclusive of weekends and legal holidays, after admission or application for admission, whichever is sooner. If the admission was made under an application executed by 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, parent, or guardian, the court shall order an independent evaluation of the minor and hold a hearing to review the admission, within 7 days, exclusive of weekends and legal holidays, after admission or application for admission, whichever is sooner, and shall appoint counsel to represent the minor if the minor is unrepresented. If the court considers it necessary, the court shall also appoint a guardian ad litem to represent the minor. The minor shall be informed about how to contact the state protection and advocacy agency designated under s. 51.62 (2) (a) .

(e) Notice of hearing. Notice of the hearing under this subsection shall be provided by the court by certified mail to the minor, the minor’s parents or guardian, the minor’s counsel and guardian ad litem if any, the petitioner and any other interested party at least 96 hours prior to the time of hearing.

(f) Rules, records, and findings. The rules of evidence in civil actions shall apply to any hearing under this section. A record shall be maintained of the entire proceedings. The record shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law. Findings shall be based on a clear and convincing standard of proof.

(g) Approval of admission. If the court finds, under a hearing under par. (d) , that the minor is in need of psychiatric services or services for developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug abuse in an inpatient facility, that the inpatient facility to which the minor is admitted offers therapy or treatment that is appropriate for the minor’s needs and that is the least restrictive therapy or treatment consistent with the minor’s needs, the court shall permit admission. If the court finds that the therapy or treatment in the inpatient facility to which the minor is admitted is not appropriate or is not the least restrictive therapy or treatment consistent with the minor’s needs, the court may order placement in or transfer to another more appropriate or less restrictive inpatient facility, if the placement or transfer is first approved by all of the following:

1. For the primary purpose of treatment for mental illness or developmental disability, any of the following, as applicable:

a. For a minor who is under 14 years of age, a parent who has legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian.

b. For a minor who is 14 years of age or older, the minor and a parent who has legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian, except that, if the minor refuses approval, a parent who has legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian may provide approval on the minor’s behalf.

c. For a minor admitted under sub. (1) (c) , the minor.

2. The treatment director of the facility or his or her designee.

3. The director of the appropriate county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 if the county department is to be responsible for the cost of the minor’s therapy or treatment.

4. The department, if the placement or transfer is to a center for the developmentally disabled.

(h) Actions if petition not approved. If the court does not permit admission under par. (g) , it shall do one of the following:

1. Dismiss the petition and order the application for admission denied and the minor released.

2. Order the petition to be treated as a petition for involuntary commitment and refer it to the court where the review under this section was held, or if it was not held in the county of legal residence of the subject individual’s parent or guardian and hardship would otherwise occur and if the best interests of the subject individual would be served thereby, to the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938 in such county for a hearing under s. 51.20 or 51.45 (13) .

3. If the minor is 14 years of age or older and appears to be developmentally disabled, proceed in the manner provided in s. 51.67 to determine whether the minor should receive protective placement or protective services, except that a minor shall not have a temporary guardian appointed if he or she has a parent or guardian.

4. If there is a reason to believe the minor is in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 or 938.13 or the minor is an expectant mother of an unborn child in need of protection or services under s. 48.133 , dismiss the petition and authorize the filing of a petition under s. 48.25 (3) or 938.25 (3) . The court may release the minor or may order that the minor be taken and held in custody under s. 48.19 (1) (c) or (cm) or 938.19 (1) (c) .

(i) Findings of review. Approval of an admission under this subsection does not constitute a finding of mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism or drug dependency.

(5) Appeal. Any person who is aggrieved by a determination or order under this section and who is directly affected thereby may appeal to the court of appeals under s. 809.30 .

(6) Short-term admissions.

(a) Admission procedure.

1. Subject to subd. 2. or 3. , as applicable, a minor may be admitted to an inpatient treatment facility without review under sub. (4) of the application, for diagnosis and evaluation or for dental, medical, or psychiatric services, for a period not to exceed 12 days. The application for short-term admission of a minor shall be executed by the minor’s parent with legal custody of the minor or the minor’s guardian, unless sub. (1) (c) applies.

2. If the minor is 14 years of age or older and is being admitted for the primary purpose of diagnosis, evaluation, or services for mental illness or developmental disability, the application shall be executed by the minor’s parent or guardian and the minor, except that, if the minor refuses to execute the application, the parent or the guardian may execute the application. Admission under this subdivision of a minor who refuses to execute the application is reviewable under sub. (4) (d) . If a review is requested or required, the treatment director of the facility to which the minor is admitted or his or her designee or, in the case of a center for the developmentally disabled, the director of the center or his or her designee shall file a verified petition for review of the admission on behalf of the minor.

3. If a minor 14 years of age or older who refused to execute the application under subd. 2. is admitted after court review under sub. (4) (d) , the minor may not be readmitted to an inpatient treatment facility for psychiatric services under this paragraph within 120 days of a previous admission under this paragraph.

(b) Review and acceptance of application. The application shall be reviewed by the treatment director of the facility or, in the case of a center for the developmentally disabled, by the director, and shall be accepted only if the director determines that the admission constitutes the least restrictive means of obtaining adequate diagnosis and evaluation of the minor or adequate provision of medical, dental or psychiatric services.

(c) Release. At the end of the 12-day period, the minor shall be released unless an application has been filed for admission under sub. (1) ; a statement has been filed for emergency detention; or a petition has been filed for emergency commitment, involuntary commitment, or protective placement.

(7) Discharge or continued appropriateness of admission.

(a) Minor attains age 14 during admission. If a minor is admitted to an inpatient treatment facility while under 14 years of age, and if upon reaching age 14 is in need of further inpatient care and treatment primarily for mental illness or developmental disability, the director of the facility shall request the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian to execute an application for admission. If the minor refuses, the minor’s parent or guardian may execute the application on the minor’s behalf. Such an application may be executed within 30 days prior to a minor’s 14th birthday. If the application is executed, a petition for review shall be filed in the manner prescribed in sub. (4) , unless such a review has been held within the last 120 days. If the application is not executed by the time of the minor’s 14th birthday, the minor shall be discharged unless a petition or statement is filed for emergency detention, emergency commitment, involuntary commitment, or protective placement by the end of the next day in which the court transacts business.

(b) Discharge procedure.

1. Any minor who is voluntarily admitted under sub. (1) (c) , may request discharge in writing.

2. For a minor 14 years of age or older who is admitted under sub. (1) (bm) for the primary purpose of treatment for alcoholism or drug abuse or a minor under 14 years of age who is admitted under sub. (1) (a) for the primary purpose of treatment for mental illness, developmental disability, alcoholism, or drug abuse, the parent or guardian of the minor may request discharge in writing.

3. For a minor 14 years of age or older who is admitted under sub. (1) (b) for the primary purpose of treatment for mental illness or developmental disability, the minor and the minor’s parent or guardian may request discharge in writing. If the parent or guardian of the minor refuses to request discharge and if the director of the facility to which the minor is admitted or his or her designee avers, in writing, that the minor is in need of psychiatric services or services for developmental disability, that the facility’s therapy or treatment is appropriate to the minor’s needs, and that inpatient care in the treatment facility is the least restrictive therapy or treatment consistent with the needs of the minor, the minor may not be discharged under this paragraph.

4. Upon receipt of any form of written request for discharge from a minor specified under subd. 1. or 3. , the director of the facility in which the minor is admitted shall immediately notify the minor’s parent or guardian, if available.

5. A minor specified in subd. 1. , a minor specified in subd. 2. whose parent or guardian requests discharge in writing, and a minor specified in subd. 3. who requests and whose parent or guardian requests discharge in writing shall be discharged within 48 hours after submission of the request, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, unless a petition or statement is filed for emergency detention, emergency commitment, involuntary commitment, or protective placement.

(c) Request for hearing when not discharged. Any minor who is admitted under this section, other than a minor to which par. (b) 1. applies, who is not discharged under par. (b) may submit a written request to the court for a hearing to determine the continued appropriateness of the admission. If the director or staff of the inpatient treatment facility to which a minor described in this paragraph is admitted observes conduct by the minor that demonstrates an unwillingness to remain at the facility, including a written expression of opinion or unauthorized absence, the director shall file a written request with the court to determine the continued appropriateness of the admission. A request that is made personally by a minor under this paragraph shall be signed by the minor but need not be written or composed by the minor. A request for a hearing under this paragraph that is received by staff or the director of the facility in which the minor is admitted shall be filed with the court by the director. The court shall order a hearing as provided in sub. (4) (d) upon request if no hearing concerning the minor’s admission has been held within 120 days before court receipt of the request. If a hearing is held, the court shall hold the hearing within 14 days after receipt of the request, unless the parties agree to a longer period. After the hearing, the court shall dispose of the matter in the manner provided in sub. (4) (h) .

History: 1977 c. 428 ; 1979 c. 32 s. 91 ; 1979 c. 300 , 331 ; 1981 c. 74 ; 1985 a. 29 , 176 ; 1987 a. 366 ; 1995 a. 77 , 225 ; 1997 a. 27 , 35 , 292 ; 2001 a. 16 , 104 ; 2003 a. 326 ; 2005 a. 444 ; 2007 a. 140 ; 2013 a. 161 ; 2015 a. 195 .