1. (1) Serious incidents.

   1. (a) A licensee shall report the following serious incidents to the department within 72 hours after the occurrence:

      1. 1. An incident of suspected or reported child abuse or child neglect by a staff member, other employee or contractor, or volunteer of the group home.
      2. 2. An incident requiring law enforcement services that occurs on the group home premises or at another location while the licensee has primary responsibility for the resident’s immediate care and supervision.
      3. 3. The use of a physical restraint on a resident. The report shall include the requirements specified in s. DCF 57.26 (4) (f).
      4. 4. A serious injury or trauma to a resident or staff member for which the resident or staff member requires the services of a medical provider.
      5. 5. A medication administration error that results in an adverse reaction.
      6. 6. A suicide attempt by a resident.
      7. 7. A case or suspected case of a communicable disease specified in ch. DHS 145 Appendix A in the group home.
      8. 8. Any damage to the premises or equipment failure that would affect compliance with this chapter and endanger a resident’s physical safety.
      9. 9. A fire on the premises that requires the services of a fire department.
      10. 10. An incident or condition that requires the relocation of residents from the group home or the closure of the group home.
   2. (b) The licensee shall report the death of a resident to the department within 24 hours after the occurrence.

   3. (c) The reports to the department under pars. (a) and (b) shall be made in a format prescribed by the department.

      Note: Report a serious incident to the department using DCF-F-CFS2146, Serious Incident Report, and upload the completed form and any staff member statements to the webpage https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cwlicensing/sirsubmittal.

   4. (d) The licensee shall notify the placing agency and the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian within 24 hours if a serious incident under par. (a) or (b) occurs that involves a resident.
2. (2) Child abuse or neglect. A licensee who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a resident has been abused or neglected shall immediately make a report using the procedures provided in s. 48.981 (2) and (3) (a), Stats.
3. (3) Licensee background reporting requirements. As soon as possible but no later than the department’s next business day, the licensee shall report to the department if the licensee meets any of the conditions in s. DCF 57.10 (8) (a).
4. (4) Discontinuing operation. A licensee shall notify the department in writing at least 30 days before discontinuing operation of a group home.

History

History: CR 26-005: cr. Register May 2026 No. 845, eff. 6-1-26.