Wisconsin Code § 51.043

Crisis hostels
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(1) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(a) “Crisis hostel” means a mental health stabilization program with a maximum of 15 beds that provides crisis stabilization services to an adult individual to prevent or de-escalate the
individual’s mental health crisis and avoid admission of the individual to a more restrictive setting.
(b) “Crisis stabilization services” means optional emergency
mental health services that provide short-term, intensive, community-based services to avoid the need for inpatient
hospitalization.
(2) CERTIFICATION REQUIRED; EXEMPTION. (a) Except as
provided in par. (b), no person may operate a crisis hostel without
a certification from the department.
(b) If a county has, by March 31, 2024, established a crisis
hostel and operates the crisis hostel pursuant only to certification
under ch. DHS 34, Wis. Adm. Code, where individuals whose anticipated length-of-stay is longer than 23 hours due to needs outside of crisis stabilization, and crisis stabilization services are
provided in a distinct and separate area from where an individual
may spend the night, the county may continue to provide crisis
stabilization services without obtaining additional residential licensure and is not required to receive a certification under this
section. Needs outside of crisis stabilization may include housing insecurity or stability issues necessitating coordination of
transportation, advocacy, and housing assistance.

(c) The department may not limit the number of certifications
it issues to operate a crisis hostel.
(d) The department shall establish application fees and biennial certification fees.
(e) A crisis hostel operated under par. (a) or (b) is not subject
to facility regulation under ch. 50.
(3) ADMISSIONS. (a) An individual 18 years of age or older
may be admitted to a crisis hostel to receive crisis stabilization
services.
(b) Crisis stabilization services may only be provided at a crisis hostel on a voluntary basis to individuals who are 18 years of
age or older. Crisis hostel staff may not admit an individual who
is transported to the hostel involuntarily for emergency detention
under s. 51.15.
(4) RULES. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

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