Bill > AB114

This bill establishes a new process for clinicians to initiate emergency detention of minors in Wisconsin counties that choose to opt into the program. The bill defines a "clinician" as a range of mental health professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and clinical social workers. Counties can voluntarily develop a training program for clinicians who wish to initiate emergency detentions for minors they believe are mentally ill, drug dependent, or developmentally disabled. To be approved, clinicians must complete the county's training program every two years and follow specific procedural requirements, such as preparing a detailed statement explaining why they believe the minor needs emergency detention and why it is the least restrictive option. The county department of community programs must approve the detention, and the county will be responsible for transporting the minor to a treatment facility. The bill includes provisions to protect clinicians from liability when acting in good faith and establishes penalties for falsely signing detention statements. Importantly, this new clinician-initiated detention process does not apply to counties with populations of 750,000 or more, effectively limiting it to smaller counties in Wisconsin.

Health and Social Services

Joint Legislative Council (Other)

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2025/proposals/reg/asm/bill/ab114