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
Join us in celebrating 50 years of client rights in Wisconsin
Service providers are invited to join the Client Rights Office in marking Client Rights Awareness Week, August 31-September 4, 2026, in recognition of the 50th anniversary of client rights going into effect in Wisconsin. Governor Tony Evers has issued a proclamation making this an official state observance. View the proclamation (PDF).
- Recognize your client rights staff with an individualized note of appreciation or through an all-staff communication.
- Create a bulletin board or display at your office highlighting client rights and your client rights staff.
- Share client rights information on your social media channels—we’ve created post you use or create own. Tag all social media posts with #ClientRightsWI50.
- Share information on the anniversary of Wisconsin’s client rights law in internal and/or external newsletters—we’ve written an article you can use or create your own.
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Download the client rights in Wisconsin social media image to share on your accounts. This image works best on Facebook and LinkedIn. Send a message to dhsdcts@dhs.wisconsin.gov if you're looking for an image for other social media platforms.
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We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of client rights laws in Wisconsin. Client rights ensure the dignified treatment of people receiving services for developmental disabilities, mental health, and/or substance use. They foster a collaborative relationship between clients and care staff, improving treatment and leading to positive outcomes. We appreciate the work of client rights staff and are proud of our team's commitment to upholding client rights and treating everyone with respect. #ClientRightsWI50
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We value client rights
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As Wisconsin marks 50 years since client rights law took effect for people receiving services for developmental disabilities, mental health, and/or substance use, we recognize the positive effects of client rights in our work. The relationship between our staff and the people in our care is more collaborative and results in improved treatment through the rules that guide service delivery, communication, privacy, and records. Wisconsin’s client rights law empowers patients to advocate for themselves through a grievance process that helps identify issues with their care and opportunities for us to review policies and procedures to ensure all clients are treated with dignity and respect. We thank our staff for supporting client rights, and our clients for letting us know when we’re not meeting the expectations outlined in state law.
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 treatment,
- 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, 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 keeps 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
The state grievance examiners review appealed complaints about services provided by community-based agencies and organizations and complaints about the grievance procedure itself.
Staff also review appealed complaints from facilities managed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
See more information on the complaint process
Approving research
Staff reviews and approves research proposals that involve people covered by client rights laws and codes.