Wisconsin § 51.044 - Psychiatric residential treatment facilities.

Full text of Wisconsin Wisconsin Statutes § 51.044 — Psychiatric residential treatment facilities., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 51.044. Psychiatric residential treatment facilities.

51.044(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “psychiatric residential treatment facility” has the meaning given in 42 CFR 483.352 . 51.044(2) (2) Certification and requirements. 51.044(2)(a) (a) The department may establish a certification process for and certify psychiatric residential treatment facilities to provide inpatient psychiatric services for individuals under the age of 21, under the direction of a physician, with services provided by a psychiatric facility that meets the requirements of 42 CFR 441.151 (a) (2) (ii) . No person may operate a psychiatric residential treatment facility without a certification from the department. The department may make announced and unannounced inspections and complaint investigations of psychiatric residential treatment facilities as it deems necessary, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner. The department may limit the number of certifications it grants to operate psychiatric residential treatment facilities. The department shall, using the department’s division of the state into regions by county, include statewide geographic consideration in its evaluation of applications for certification under this section to ensure geographic diversity among the regions in the location of psychiatric residential treatment facilities certified under this section. 51.044(2)(b) (b) A psychiatric residential treatment facility that has a certification from the department under this section is not subject to facility regulation under ch. 48 . 51.044(2)(c) (c) In order to admit an individual for services at a psychiatric residential treatment facility, a treatment team shall, as required under 42 CFR 441.152 , certify that all of the following are true: 51.044(2)(c)1. 1. Ambulatory care resources available in the community do not meet the treatment needs of the individual. For purposes of this subdivision, “ambulatory care resources” means any service except hospital inpatient care or inpatient care in an institution for mental diseases, as defined in s. 49.43 (6m) . 51.044(2)(c)2. 2. Proper treatment of the individual’s psychiatric condition requires services on an inpatient basis under the direction of a physician. 51.044(2)(c)3. 3. The services at a psychiatric residential treatment facility can reasonably be expected to improve the individual’s condition or prevent further regression so that the services will no longer be needed. 51.044(2)(d) (d) The treatment team certifying the need for services under par. (c) shall meet the requirements of 42 CFR 441.153 . 51.044(2)(e) (e) A psychiatric residential treatment facility shall comply with all federal requirements for active treatment and individual plans of care under 42 CFR 441.154 to 441.156 , as well as emergency preparedness requirements under 42 CFR 441.184 . 51.044(2)(f) (f) A psychiatric residential treatment facility shall comply with all of the following federal conditions of participation: 51.044(2)(f)1. 1. Protection of residents as set forth under 42 CFR 483.356 . 51.044(2)(f)2. 2. Orders for the use of restraint or seclusion as set forth under 42 CFR 483.358 . 51.044(2)(f)3. 3. All other requirements set forth under 42 CFR 483.350 to 483.376 . 51.044(2)(g) (g) Admission to a psychiatric residential treatment facility is subject to the procedures of this chapter. 51.044(3) (3) Video monitoring. 51.044(3)(a) (a) Notwithstanding s. 51.61 (1) (o) , a psychiatric residential treatment facility may use video surveillance and recordings in common areas, entrances, and exits without the consent of the patient being surveilled or recorded. The psychiatric residential treatment facility shall inform the patient and the patient's parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian about the video surveillance and recording. 51.044(3)(b) (b) Any video recording made under this subsection is confidential and not open to public inspection, except as provided by the department. The department may review any recording made under this subsection. 51.044(3)(c) (c) Video surveillance and recording may not be used as a substitute for one-on-one monitoring of a patient who is at high risk for self-harm. 51.044(3)(d) (d) The department shall require that a psychiatric residential treatment facility adopt a policy for monitoring safety, which may include the use of video surveillance and recording in common areas, entrances, and exits. 51.044(4) (4) Locked units for safety. 51.044(4)(a) (a) A psychiatric residential treatment facility may implement the use of locked units for safety. 51.044(4)(b) (b) The department may require that a psychiatric residential treatment facility adopt a policy for the use of locked units for safety. 51.044(5) (5) Grants. The department may distribute grants to entities to establish a psychiatric residential treatment facility. In distributing grants under this subsection, the department shall give preference toward having at least one psychiatric residential treatment facility in the northern or north-central region of the state and at least one in the southern region of the state. 51.044(6) (6) Insurance. This section may not be construed to limit a psychiatric residential treatment facility from seeking reimbursement for its services from a health benefit plan, as defined in s. 632.745 (11) , or self-insured health plan, as defined in s. 632.85 (1) (c) . 51.044(7) (7) Additional requirements. The department may establish any of the following: 51.044(7)(a) (a) Minimum security requirements for psychiatric residential treatment facilities certified under this section. 51.044(7)(b) (b) A target range for the number of beds in a psychiatric residential treatment facility certified under this section. 51.044(7)(c) (c) Policies for coordination between psychiatric residential treatment facilities certified under this section and any facility established or operated with funding received under s.

Source: official Wisconsin text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Wisconsin § 51.044

What does Wisconsin Statutes § 51.044 cover?

Section 51.044 ("Psychiatric residential treatment facilities.") is part of the Wisconsin Statutes, the codified statutory law of Wisconsin. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Wisconsin § 51.044?

A common citation format is "Wisconsin Statutes § 51.044" (Wisconsin). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Wisconsin law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Wisconsin official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney.

How does Wisconsin § 51.044 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Wisconsin can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Wisconsin.