Signed by Governor Tony Evers

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the Department of Health Services to develop a portal to facilitate sharing of safety plans for a minor in crisis in Wisconsin.

Highlights:

• Defines “safety plan” as an individual’s written document that provides guidance on how to help the individual when they experience a behavioral or developmental health challenge or crisis (Sec. 3).

• Authorizes a minor who is at risk of an encounter with law enforcement or other emergency service providers during a behavioral or developmental health challenge or crisis to create a safety plan, with a facilitator, that includes any of the following (Sec. 3):

• The minor’s name;

• The minor’s address;

• What it looks like when the minor needs assistance;

• De-escalation strategies for the minor;

• Contact information for the minor’s parent or guardian;

• Contact information for the minor’s health care providers;

• Contact information for individuals who can provide emotional support to the minor; or

• Other information that is important to the minor or that the minor would like law enforcement or emergency medical responders to know.

• Specifies that a minor’s safety plan may be shared through the portal only if the minor has signed a release of information (Sec. 3).

• Specifies the following parties who may form a network for the purpose of sharing safety plans of minors (Sec. 3):

• A physical or mental health care provider;

• A county department of human services;

• A county department of social services;

• A school or school district;

• A law enforcement agency;

•  A fire department;

• An emergency medical services provider;

• A tribal agency;

• The division responsible for administering child welfare services in Milwaukee County;

• A public safety answering point; and

• A designated state or regional call center for the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline system.

• Requires the Department of Health Services to develop and maintain a statewide portal to facilitate the sharing of safety plans among safety plan partners (Sec. 3).

• Requires the Department to develop a standard safety plan template (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text