Client Rights Office
Client rights are laws and rules that ensure dignified and appropriate treatment for people receiving services for a developmental disability, mental health, or substance use. They guide service delivery, communications, privacy, and records.
The Client Rights Office works with patients and service providers.
Patients have an opportunity to advocate for themselves through a grievance process that helps identify issues with their care and offers opportunities to educate service providers on best practices.
Choose your path
We've organized our client rights information into three categories: community patients, community-based service providers, and state facility patients.
Community patients
Community-based service providers
State facility patients
Browse client rights laws and rules
Client rights are outlined in the following state statute sections and administrative code chapters:
- Wis. Stat. § 51.30—Records
- Wis. Stat. § 51.61—Patient Rights
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 92—Confidentiality of Treatment of Records
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 94—Patient Rights and Resolution of Patient Grievances
Get answers to common client rights questions
There are many parts to Wisconsin's client rights laws and rules. We're here to help you understand all the parts. We've created list of common questions and clear answers to help you quickly find the information you need to know without contacting us.
See frequently asked questions
Contact the Client Rights Office
To contact the Client Rights Office by email, send a message to: DHSDCTSCRO@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
To contact the Client Rights Office by mail, send a letter to:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Client Rights Office
PO Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
The Client Rights Office is part of the Division of Care and Treatment Services.
The Client Rights Office includes:
- The Client Rights Office director.
- Two state grievance examiners assigned to community-based services.
- Three client rights specialists assigned to state facilities.
This team protects and promotes the rights of people of receiving services for a developmental disability, mental health, and/or substance use; consults patients and service providers on clients rights law; reviews client rights grievances; and approves research that involves people covered by client rights law.
Protecting and promoting client rights
Staff keep track of changes in client rights laws and rules. They recommend changes when appropriate.
See more information on client rights
Consulting on client rights
Staff help people, their family members, client advocates, policymakers, and service providers understand client rights.
Educating service provider client rights staff
Staff help new client rights specialists build their knowledge of Wisconsin's client rights law through an online training program.
See more information on education and training for new client rights specialists
Reviewing client rights grievances
Staff review appealed complaints and complaints about the grievance procedure itself.
See more information on the complaint process
Approving research
Staff review and approve research proposals that involve people covered by client rights laws and codes.