Payment for alcohol and other drug abuse services
Wis. Stat. § 938.361
in effect(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Alcohol and other drug abuse services” means all of the following:
1. Any alcohol or other drug abuse examination or assessment ordered under s. 938.295 (1), 938.34 (14s) (b) 1., 938.343 (10) (a) or 938.344 (2g) (a) 1.
2. Any special treatment or care that relates to alcohol or other drug abuse services ordered under s. 938.34 (6) (a) or (am).
3. Any alcohol or other drug abuse treatment or education ordered by a court under s. 938.32 (1g) or 938.34 (6) (a) or (am), (6r), or (14s) (b) 1. or 2.; or made available to a juvenile under s. 938.34 (3) (f) 4.
(b) “Municipality” means a city, village or town.
(2) Payment by parent or insurer.
(a)
1. If a juvenile’s parent neglects, refuses or is unable to provide alcohol and other drug abuse services for the juvenile through his or her health insurance or other 3rd-party payments, notwithstanding s. 938.36 (3) the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 or municipal court may order the parent to pay for the alcohol and drug abuse services. If the parent consents to provide alcohol and other drug abuse services for a juvenile through his or her health insurance or other 3rd-party payments but the health insurance provider or other 3rd-party payer refuses to provide the alcohol and other drug abuse services the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 or municipal court may order the health insurance provider or 3rd-party payer to pay for the alcohol and other drug abuse services in accordance with the terms of the parent’s health insurance policy or other 3rd-party payment plan.
2. This paragraph applies to payment for alcohol and other drug abuse services in any county, including pilot counties under s. 938.547.
(am)
1. If a court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 in a pilot county under s. 938.547 finds that payment cannot be attained under par. (a), the court may order payment under par. (b).
2. If a court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 in a county that is not a pilot county under s. 938.547 finds that payment cannot be attained under par. (a), the court may order payment under s. 938.34 (6) (ar) or 938.36.
3. If a municipal court finds that payment cannot be attained under par. (a), the municipal court may order the municipality over which the municipal court has jurisdiction to pay for any alcohol and other drug abuse services ordered by the municipal court.
(b)
1. In pilot counties under s. 938.547, in addition to ordering payment under par. (a), the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 may order a county department of human services established under s. 46.23 or a county department established under s. 51.42 or 51.437 in the juvenile’s county of legal residence to pay for the alcohol and other drug abuse services whether or not custody has been taken from the parent.
2. If a court orders a county department established under s. 51.42 or 51.437 to provide alcohol and other drug abuse services under this paragraph, the provision of the service is subject to conditions specified in ch. 51.
(c) Payment for alcohol and other drug abuse services by a county department or municipality under this section does not prohibit the county department or municipality from contracting with another county department, municipality, school district, or approved treatment facility for the provision of alcohol and other drug abuse services. Payment by the county or municipality under this section does not prevent recovery of reasonable contribution toward the costs of the court-ordered alcohol and other drug abuse services from the parent based upon the ability of the parent to pay. This subsection is subject to s. 46.03 (18).
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/938.361Fetched: 10/7/2026