Chapter 251 — LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS

251.001 Legislative findings. The legislature finds that the provision of public health services in this state is a matter of statewide concern. History: 1993 a. 27.

251.01 Definitions. In this chapter: (1c) “Advanced practice registered nurse” means an individual licensed under s. 441.09. NOTE: Sub. (1c) is shown as repealed and recreated eff. 9-1-26 by 2025 Wis. Act 17. Prior to 9-1-26 it reads: (1c) “Advanced practice registered nurse” mea…

251.02 Local health department; establishment. (1) In counties with a population of less than 750,000, unless a county board establishes a city-county health department under sub. (1m) jointly with the governing body of a city or establishes a multiple county health department un…

251.03 Local board of health; members. (1) A local board of health shall consist of not more than 9 members. At least 3 of these members shall be persons who are not elected officials or employees of the governing body that establishes the local health department and who have a d…

251.04 Local board of health; powers and duties. (1) Except as authorized in s. 251.02 (2) (b), (3m), (3r), and (3t), a city board of health shall govern a city health department, a county board of health shall govern a county health department or multiple county health departmen…

251.05 (1). (3) A city or county board of health or a board of health for a local health department as authorized in s. 251.02 (2) (b), (3m), (3r), or (3t) may adopt those regulations, for its own guidance and for the governance of the local health department, that it considers n…

251.06 Local health officer; qualifications; duties. (1) (a) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2. or 3., a local health officer of a Level I local health department shall have at least a bachelor’s degree from a nursing program accredited by the national professional nursing educati…

251.07 Certain health care providers; state agency status. (1) In this section: (a) “Advanced practice registered nurse ” means an advanced practice nurse who may issue prescription orders under s. 441.09 (2). NOTE: Par. (a) is shown as amended eff. 9-1-26 by 2025 Wis. Act 134. P…

251.08 Jurisdiction of local health department. The jurisdiction of the local health department shall extend to the entire area represented by the governing body of the county, city, village or town that established the local health department, except that the jurisdiction of a s…

251.09 Joint services. Local health departments jointly may provide health services as agreed upon under s. 66.0301, unless, notwithstanding s. 66.0301, the agreement conflicts with a provision of this chapter. History: 1993 a. 27 s. 271; Stats. 1993 s. 251.09; 1999 a. 150 s. 672…

251.10 County health department, how financed. The county board shall appropriate funds for the operation of a single county health department that is established under s. 251.02 (1) and determine compensation of county health department employees. The local board of health shall…

251.11 City-county health department and multiple county health department, how financed. (1) The local board of health of every multiple county health department established under s. 251.02 (3) and of every city-county health department established under s. 251.02 (1m) shall ann…

251.115 Multiple municipal local health department and city-city local health department; how financed. The governing body of every multiple municipal local health department established under s. 251.02 (2) (b) or (3r) and of every city-city local health department established un…

251.12 City health department, how financed. The common council shall appropriate funds for the operation of all of the following: (1) A city health department that is established as specified in s. 251.02 (1) and (2) (a). (2) A multiple municipal local health department that is …

251.125 Village health department, how financed. If a village health department is established under s. 251.02 (2) (a) or (3m), if a multiple municipal local health department is established as specified in s. 251.02 (3r), or if a multiple municipal local health department is est…

251.127 Town health department, how financed. If a town health department is established under s. 251.02 (3m) or if a multiple municipal local health department is established under s. 251.02 (3r) by the governing body of a town in concert with the governing body of another town …

251.13 City-county health department and multiple county health department, joint funds. For each multiple May 22, 2026, are designated by NOTES. (Published 5-22-26) 251.13 LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS county or city-county health department, a joint health department fund shall be cre…

251.135 Publication and effective date of orders and regulations. The orders and regulations of a local board of health shall be published as a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, and shall take effect immediately after publication. No local board of health is required to use the term…

251.14 Gifts. A local board of health may receive gifts and donations for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter. History: 1993 a. 27 s. 215.

251.15 Withdrawal of counties, cities, villages, or towns. (1) After establishing a multiple county health department under s. 251.02 (3), any participating county board may withdraw by giving written notice to its county board of health and the county boards of all other partici…

251.16 Local health department; evidence. The reports and employees of a local health department are subject to s. 970.03 (12) (b). History: 1979 c. 221; 1985 a. 267 s. 3; 1993 a. 27 s. 221; Stats. 1993 s. 251.16.

251.20 Rule making. The department shall promulgate rules that specify all of the following: (1) Required services for each of Levels I, II and III local health departments under s. 251.05 (2). (3) Additional required services for Level II and Level III local health departments u…