Senate Bill 109 proposes amendments to Wisconsin's emergency detention laws, specifically allowing certain medical and behavioral health clinicians to initiate the emergency detention of minors. This bill creates a new process for clinician-initiated detentions in counties outside of Milwaukee, where such authority is optional. The bill outlines the qualifications for clinicians who can initiate detentions, which include psychologists, psychiatrists, and licensed mental health professionals. It also establishes that a county department must approve the clinician's determination that emergency detention is necessary, ensuring that the clinician's decision aligns with the least restrictive alternative for the minor's needs.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the custody and transportation of minors once a detention is approved, specifying that the county is responsible for transportation costs and may contract with law enforcement or other services for this purpose. It mandates that a statement of emergency detention be filed with the detention facility and the court, and it maintains liability protections for individuals acting in good faith under these procedures. The bill also requires counties that opt to allow clinician-initiated detentions to develop training programs for clinicians on emergency detention procedures, ensuring that they are adequately prepared to handle such situations.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 51.15(3), 51.15