Wis. Stat. » CHAPTER 55 — PROTECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM
Wisconsin Statutes

Wis. Stat. § 55.13 (2026)

Emergency protective services

✓ current as of July 2026
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55.1355.13 Emergency protective services.
55.13(1)(1) Emergency protective services may be provided for not more than 72 hours when there is reason to believe that, if the emergency protective services are not provided, the individual entitled to the services or others will incur a substantial risk of serious physical harm.
55.13(2)(2) If the county department or agency with which the county department contracts under s. 55.02 (2) that is providing emergency protective services to an individual under sub. (1) has reason to believe that the individual meets the criteria for protective services under s. 55.08 (2), the county department or agency may file a petition under s. 55.075. If a petition is filed, a preliminary hearing shall be held within 72 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, to establish probable cause that the criteria under s. 55.08 (2) are present. The county department or agency shall provide the individual with written notice and orally inform the individual of the time and place of the preliminary hearing. If the individual is not under guardianship, a petition for guardianship shall accompany the petition under s. 55.08 (2), except in the case of a minor who is alleged to have a developmental disability.
55.13(3)(3) Upon finding probable cause under sub. (2), the court may order emergency protective services to continue to be provided for up to 60 days pending the hearing on protective services under s. 55.10.
55.13(4)(4) If it is necessary to enter a premises forcibly to provide or investigate the need for emergency protective services, the staff member of a county department shall obtain a court order authorizing entry and shall make the entry accompanied by a sheriff, police officer, or member of a fire department. When it appears probable that substantial physical harm, irreparable injury, or death may occur to an individual, the police officer, fire fighter, or sheriff may enter a premises without a court order if the time required to obtain such an order would result in greater risk of physical harm to the individual.
55.13(5)(5) If a forcible entry is made under sub. (4), a report of the exact circumstances, including the date, time, place, factual basis for the need of the entry, and the exact services rendered, shall be made and forwarded to the court within 14 days after entry by the person making the entry.
55.13 HistoryHistory: 2005 a. 264 ss. 98, 99, 100, 163; 2007 a. 45.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2010–2012 · leading case: Fond du Lac Cnty. v. Helen E. F., 2012 WI 50 (Wis. 2012).
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Fond du Lac Cnty. v. Helen E. F., 2012 WI 50 (Wis. 2012). · cites it 5× “Wis. Stat. § 55.14 (3) (e) 1.-2. At this probable cause hearing, a petition for guardianship must accompany the petition for protective services if the individual does not already have a guardian.”
Dane Cnty. v. Kelly M., 2011 WI App 69 (Wis. Ct. App. 2011). · cites it 6× “In making this argument, the County fails to consider the provisions for emergency protective services under Wis. Stat. § 55.13 , which may include involuntary administration of psychotropic medication.”
Jackson Cnty. Dep't of Health & Human Servs. v. Susan H., 2010 WI App 82 (Wis. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “13 (3) did not permit an extension of the requirement that the final hearing on a temporary protective placement be held within a prescribed time period, we stated that "[temporary placement under ch. 55, Stats., is an involuntary restraint on the individual's freedom.”
— Wis. Stat. § 55.13(2) — 1 case
Fond du Lac Cnty. v. Helen E. F., 2012 WI 50 (Wis. 2012). “Wis. Stat. § 55.14 (3) (e) 1.-2. At this probable cause hearing, a petition for guardianship must accompany the petition for protective services if the individual does not already have a guardian.”
— Wis. Stat. § 55.13(3) — 2 cases
Fond du Lac Cnty. v. Helen E. F., 2012 WI 50 (Wis. 2012). “Wis. Stat. § 55.14 (3) (e) 1.-2. At this probable cause hearing, a petition for guardianship must accompany the petition for protective services if the individual does not already have a guardian.”
Dane Cnty. v. Kelly M., 2011 WI App 69 (Wis. Ct. App. 2011). “In making this argument, the County fails to consider the provisions for emergency protective services under Wis. Stat. § 55.13 , which may include involuntary administration of psychotropic medication.”
— Wis. Stat. § 55.13(l) — 1 case
Dane Cnty. v. Kelly M., 2011 WI App 69 (Wis. Ct. App. 2011). “In making this argument, the County fails to consider the provisions for emergency protective services under Wis. Stat. § 55.13 , which may include involuntary administration of psychotropic medication.”
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