Assembly Bill 114 proposes amendments to Wisconsin's emergency detention laws, specifically allowing certain medical and behavioral health clinicians to initiate the emergency detention of minors. Currently, only law enforcement officers or authorized individuals can take minors into custody if they believe the minor is mentally ill, developmentally disabled, or drug dependent and poses a danger to themselves or others. The bill introduces a new process for clinician-initiated emergency detentions, which is optional for counties outside of Milwaukee County. Clinicians eligible to initiate detentions include psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and other licensed mental health professionals, provided they have received county approval and completed required training.

The bill outlines specific procedures for clinician-initiated detentions, including the necessity for county department approval, the clinician's responsibility to prepare a statement of detention, and the county's obligation to transport the minor to a treatment facility. It also establishes liability protections for individuals acting in good faith under these procedures and imposes penalties for false statements related to emergency detentions. The proposed changes aim to enhance the mental health response for minors while ensuring that appropriate safeguards and training are in place for clinicians involved in the process.

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