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Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 51.001 (2026)

Legislative policy

✓ current as of July 2026
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51.00151.001 Legislative policy.
51.001(1)(1) It is the policy of the state to assure the provision of a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services in the state for all mental disorders and developmental disabilities and for mental illness, alcoholism and other drug abuse. There shall be a unified system of prevention of such conditions and provision of services which will assure all people in need of care access to the least restrictive treatment alternative appropriate to their needs, and movement through all treatment components to assure continuity of care, within the limits of available state and federal funds and of county funds required to be appropriated to match state funds.
51.001(2)(2) To protect personal liberties, no person who can be treated adequately outside of a hospital, institution or other inpatient facility may be involuntarily treated in such a facility.
51.001 HistoryHistory: 1975 c. 430; 1995 a. 92.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 33 cases (6 in the last 5 years), 1965–2026 · leading case: Waukesha Cnty. v. J.W.J., 2017 WI 57 (Wis. 2017).
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Waukesha Cnty. v. J.W.J., 2017 WI 57 (Wis. 2017). · cites it 13× “" Wis. Stat. § 51.001 (1). ¶18 However, not all who could benefit from such services will partake of them.”
Milwaukee Cnty. v. Mary F.-R., 823 N.W.2d 841 (Wis. 2013). · cites it 18× “The court may choose to release the 18 The legislative policy statement found in Wis. Stat. § 51.001 speaks to the purpose of involuntary commitments, budgetary concerns, and the preference to impose the least restrictive treatment option available that will meet an individual's…”
Outagamie Cnty. v. Melanie L., 2013 WI 67 (Wis. 2013). · cites it 10× “The legislative policy set out in Wis. Stat. § 51.001 paints with a broad brush, reading in part that, "[i]t is the policy of the state to assure the provision of a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services in the state for all mental disorders .”
Langlade Cnty. v. D. J. W., 2020 WI 41 (Wis. 2020). · cites it 4× “" Wis. Stat. § 51.001 (1). Such treatment should be given to those in need by way of "the least restrictive treatment alternative appropriate to their needs .”
Fond du Lac Cnty. v. Helen E. F., 2012 WI 50 (Wis. 2012). · cites it 5× “protective services and protective placements, [and] to assure their availability to all individuals when in need of them .”
Schuster v. Altenberg, 424 N.W.2d 159 (Wis. 1988). · cites it 4× “" Section 51.001, Stats. As to this concern, we find the rationale articulated by the court in Lipari compelling: "The recognition of this duty does not make the psychotherapist liable for any harm caused by his patient, but rather makes him liable only when his negligent…”
Manitowoc Cnty. v. Samuel J. H., 2013 WI 68 (Wis. 2013). · cites it 6× “, Wis. Stat. § 51.001 (2) ("To protect personal liberties, no person who can be treated adequately 13 No.”
City of Madison v. State Dep't of Health Servs., 2017 WI App 25 (Wis. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 4× “Wis. Stat. § 51.001 (emphasis added). Consistent with this policy, the purpose of Wisconsin's emergency detention statute, Wis.”
Waukesha Cnty. v. E.J.W., 2021 WI 85 (Wis. 2021). · cites it 2× “¶30 Further, E.J.W.'s reading is more in line with the larger context of ch.”
State Ex Rel. Jones v. Gerhardstein, 416 N.W.2d 883 (Wis. 1987). · cites it 2× “See sec. 51.001, Stats. The majority, however, did not premise its decision upon either the implication of a fundamental interest or upon the *750 involvement of a suspect classification such as to justify the invocation of a strict scrutiny.”
Dunn Cnty. v. JUDY K., 2002 WI 87 (Wis. 2002). · cites it 4× “437(4m)(a) and adding new language to Wis. Stat. §§ 51.001 (1), 51.42(1)(b), 51.”
Schmidt v. Lessard, 414 U.S. 473 (1974). “In October and November 1971, appellee Alberta Lessard was subjected to a period of involuntary commitment under the Wisconsin State Mental Health Act, Wis. Stat. § 51.001 et seq. While in confinement, she filed this suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern…”
Show all 33 citing cases →
— Wis. Stat. § 51.001(1) — 11 cases
Waukesha Cnty. v. J.W.J., 2017 WI 57 (Wis. 2017). “" Wis. Stat. § 51.001 (1). ¶18 However, not all who could benefit from such services will partake of them.”
Fond du Lac Cnty. v. Helen E. F., 2012 WI 50 (Wis. 2012). “protective services and protective placements, [and] to assure their availability to all individuals when in need of them .”
Lessard v. Schmidt, 413 F. Supp. 1318 (E.D. Wis. 1976).
Milwaukee Cnty. v. Parham, 289 N.W.2d 326 (Wis. Ct. App. 1979).
In Re Finding of Contempt in Interest of Js, 404 N.W.2d 79 (Wis. Ct. App. 1987).
— Wis. Stat. § 51.001(2) — 3 cases
Fond du Lac Cnty. v. Helen E. F., 2012 WI 50 (Wis. 2012). “protective services and protective placements, [and] to assure their availability to all individuals when in need of them .”
State v. Kyle A. Schaefer (Wis. Ct. App. 2025).
Sheboygan Cnty. v. N. A. L. (Wis. 2026).
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