Resident rights and grievance procedure

WisconsinRegulations

Ask Donna

How this section applies to your facts.

Wisconsin Administrative Code › DCF › Chapter DCF 52 › § DCF 52.31

This text was captured on Aug 14, 2026. It is a snapshot, not a live feed, so check the official code before relying on it.

Text

Resident rights and grievance procedure.

(1) Applicability.

(a) Residents receiving services for a mental illness, alcohol or drug abuse or a developmental disability have the patient rights under s. 51.61 , Stats., and ch. DHS 94 and shall have access to grievance resolution procedures that meet standards set out in subch. III of ch. DHS 94 . Other residents receiving treatment services under this chapter who are not specifically identified as coming under s. 51.61 , Stats., and ch. DHS 94 shall have rights that are comparable and access to grievance resolution procedures that are comparable.

(b) A resident’s rights under this section are subject to the rights, duties and responsibilities of the resident’s parent or guardian and legal custodian, if any. A resident’s rights are also subject to the terms and conditions of any court order or other lawful authority governing the conduct of the resident and subject to any limitations or denial of a right allowed under s. 51.61 , Stats., ch. DHS 94 and this section.

(c) Center staff at the time of a resident’s admission or within 48 hours after admission shall give the resident, if able to understand, and the resident’s parents or guardian and legal custodian, if any, an explanation, both orally and in writing, of resident rights under s. 51.61 , Stats., ch. DHS 94 and this section.

(2) Compliance assurance. The center director shall ensure that all staff who work with residents are aware of the requirements of this section. The director shall also ensure that staff are aware of the requirements of s. 48.78 or 938.78 , Stats., s. 51.30 , Stats., and ch. DHS 92 on confidentiality and s. 51.61 , Stats., and ch. DHS 94 on patient rights and the rights otherwise accorded under this section and the criminal and civil penalties for violating those statutes and rules. The rights and grievance procedures shall be posted in a conspicuous location in each living unit in the center.

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

A word about cookies

We need a few to keep you signed in and the library working. The rest help us see which pages people use and where they get stuck. They stay off unless you say yes.