Legislative Activity

Our united voice and strong relationships with legislators, policy makers, and key stakeholder partners at the state and federal levels amplify our members' voices and advocate for effective change. Below, you’ll find recent activity we and our member agencies have engaged in to shape state policy and create more responsive services and public support for children and families in Wisconsin.

Legislative Study Council on Emergency Detention & Civil Commitment of Minors

The study committee is directed to study the appropriateness of current emergency detention and civil commitment laws as applied to minors. The committee shall review whether special emergency detention procedures should be established for minors, including whether persons other than law enforcement either be permitted or required to take a minor into custody for the purpose of emergency detention. The committee shall also review current civil commitment placement options for minors, with an emphasis on examining the appropriateness of placements outside Wisconsin and feasibility of creating psychiatric residential treatment facilities for minors in Wisconsin. After these reviews, the committee shall recommend legislation that creates child-appropriate emergency detention and civil commitment procedures and maximizes civil commitment placement options for minors in Wisconsin. (See Study Committee Home Page)

Appointed WAFCA Member: Jill Chaffee, Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI, Inc.

WAFCA Advocacy