Emergency outpatient treatment for minors
Wis. Stat. § 51.138
in effect(1) In this section, “outpatient mental health treatment” has the meaning given in s. 51.14 (1).
(2) Subject to sub. (4), a treatment director of an outpatient mental health treatment provider may provide outpatient mental health treatment to a minor for 30 days without first obtaining informed consent if all of the following criteria are satisfied:
(a) An emergency situation exists, as determined by the treatment director of an outpatient mental health treatment provider, or time and distance requirements preclude obtaining written consent before beginning outpatient mental health treatment, and potential harm will come to the minor or others if treatment is not initiated before written consent is obtained.
(b) A reasonable effort has been made to obtain consent from a parent or guardian of the minor before initiating treatment.
(3) During the 30-day treatment period under sub. (2), the treatment director of the outpatient mental health treatment provider shall either obtain informed, written consent of a parent or guardian of the minor or, if consent is not obtained, file a petition to initiate a review of outpatient mental health treatment of a minor under s. 51.14.
(4) No person may, under the treatment period under sub. (2), without the consent of a parent or guardian of the minor, prescribe medications to the minor who is seeking treatment for a mental health condition or admit a minor to an inpatient facility or an inpatient treatment facility without the consent of a parent or guardian.
(5) For services provided under this section when consent of a parent or guardian has not been obtained, the treatment director of an outpatient mental health treatment provider shall obtain the minor’s consent before billing a 3rd party for the services. If the minor does not consent to billing a 3rd party, the minor shall be responsible for paying for the services, which the department shall bill to the minor under s. 46.03 (18) (b).
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/statutes/51.138Fetched: 10/7/2026