State Lawmaker Calls for Review of Mental Health Law

Rep. Bob Donovan requests committee to study Wisconsin's Chapter 51 law after recent incidents and reporting.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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State Rep. Bob Donovan (R-Greenfield) has formally requested the creation of a committee to study and review Wisconsin's mental health law, Chapter 51, in order to explore potential improvements and changes. Donovan cited recent reporting by 12 News Investigates on the emergency detention portion of the law, as well as the previous release of a man in his district who was later accused of a homicide.

Why it matters

Wisconsin's mental health laws, particularly the emergency detention process under Chapter 51.15, have come under scrutiny following several high-profile incidents where individuals in crisis were not properly detained or their release was not properly communicated. Advocates argue the law needs to be updated to better balance public safety and individual rights.

The details

Donovan said the entire Chapter 51 law needs to be reviewed, and he has requested the study from the Wisconsin Joint Legislative Council. If approved, the committee would consist of lawmakers, police, mental health experts and others who deal with the law regularly. Donovan is open to potential changes, such as allowing mental health providers to initiate emergency detentions instead of just police, as well as removing the "imminently" requirement that currently limits when police can intervene.

  • On February 6, 2026, Rep. Bob Donovan made the formal request to create the committee study.
  • The requests for the committee are due next week, and then the council will decide whether to move forward with the study.

The players

Rep. Bob Donovan

A Republican state representative from Greenfield, Wisconsin who has requested the creation of a committee to study the state's mental health law, Chapter 51.

Amando Lang

A man from Donovan's district who was accused of randomly stabbing someone in 2019, but was released from custody and his release was not properly communicated to authorities.

Ben Christianson

The victim who was randomly stabbed by Amando Lang while working on the side of the road in 2019.

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What they’re saying

“For a long time, many of us have felt there's got to be a better way to help these individuals who are sadly a danger to themselves and to the community.”

— Rep. Bob Donovan, State Representative (wisn.com)

“We want to help alleviate this problem, but you're really walking a fine line when we want to protect the community and their safety, but we also want to protect the rights of each individual.”

— Rep. Bob Donovan, State Representative (wisn.com)

What’s next

If the committee study is approved, lawmakers, police, mental health experts and others will convene to review Chapter 51 and explore potential changes to the law, including allowing mental health providers to initiate emergency detentions and removing the "imminently" requirement that limits when police can intervene.

The takeaway

Wisconsin's mental health laws have come under increased scrutiny following several high-profile incidents, prompting a state lawmaker to call for a comprehensive review of the system in order to find ways to better balance public safety and individual rights when it comes to involuntary mental health commitments.