Wisconsin Code § 253.02

Department; powers and duties
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this section
(1) In this
section:
(a) “Children with special health care needs” means children
who have health problems that require intervention beyond routine and basic care, including children with or at risk for disabilities, chronic illnesses and conditions, health-related educational
problems and health-related behavioral problems.
(b) “Preventive health services for children” includes assessment and appropriate follow-up regarding a child’s growth and
development, immunization status, nutrition, vision and hearing.
(2) The department shall maintain a maternal and child
health program within the division, to promote the reproductive
health of individuals and the growth, development, health and
safety of infants, children and adolescents. The program shall include all of the following:
(a) Reproductive health services, including health services
prior to conception and family planning services, as defined in s.
253.07 (1) (b).
(b) Pregnancy-related services to pregnant women from the
time of confirmation of the pregnancy through the maternal postpartum period, including pregnancy information, referral and follow-up, early identification of pregnancy and prenatal services.
(c) Infant and preschool health services to children from birth
to 5 years of age, including neonatal health services, preventive
health services for children and parent education and support
services.
(d) Child and adolescent health services to promote the physical and psychosocial health of children and adolescents, including preventive health services for children, adolescent health services, teen pregnancy prevention services, alcohol and other drug
abuse prevention and mental health-related services.
(e) General maternal and child health services, including
health education, oral health, nutrition, childhood and adolescent
injury prevention and family health benefits counseling.
(f) Health services to children with special health care needs.
(g) Maternal and child health system coordination services
that promote coordination of public and private sector activities
in areas of the maternal and child health program described in
pars. (a) to (f).
(2m) Nothing in this section authorizes the performance,
promotion, encouragement or counseling in favor of, or referral
either directly or through an intermediary for, voluntary termination of pregnancy. Nothing in this section prohibits the providing
of nondirective information explaining any of the following:
(a) Prenatal care and delivery.
(b) Infant care, foster care or adoption.
(c) Pregnancy termination.
(3) The department shall designate a subunit within the division to have responsibility for the maternal and child health program. The subunit shall be comprised of an adequate number of
interdisciplinary professional staff with expertise in maternal and
child health who will assume responsibility for all of the
following:
(a) Planning, coordination, data collection and evaluation of
the program.
(b) Providing consultation and technical assistance to local
health professionals.
(c) Coordinating the program activities with related activities
conducted under the authority of other state and federal agencies.
(4) The department shall collaborate with community-based
organizations that serve children, adolescents, and their families
to promote health and wellness, and to reduce childhood and adolescent obesity.

‹ Prev All Wisconsin sections Next ›


Lexace provides legal information, not legal advice, and no attorney–client relationship is created. Statute text is provided for general information and may not reflect the most recent amendments; verify against the official state code.