Section 51.043 - Crisis hostels(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.Added by Acts 2023 ch, 249,s 6m, eff. 3/31/2024.