106.50(1m)(h)
(h) "Discriminate" means to segregate, separate, exclude or treat a person or class of persons unequally in a manner described in
sub. (2),
(2m) or
(2r) because of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, lawful source of income, age or ancestry.
106.50(1m)(i)
(i) "Dwelling unit" means a structure or that part of a structure that is used or intended to be used as a home, residence or sleeping place by one person or by 2 or more persons who are maintaining a common household, to the exclusion of all others.
106.50(1m)(k)
(k) "Family status" means any of the following conditions that apply to a person seeking to rent or purchase housing or to a member or prospective member of the person's household regardless of the person's marital status:
106.50(1m)(k)2.
2. A person is in the process of securing sole or joint legal custody, periods of physical placement or visitation rights of a minor child.
106.50(1m)(k)3.
3. A person's household includes one or more minor or adult relatives.
106.50(1m)(k)4.
4. A person's household includes one or more adults or minor children in his or her legal custody or physical placement or with whom he or she has visitation rights.
106.50(1m)(k)5.
5. A person's household includes one or more adults or minor children placed in his or her care under a court order, under a guardianship or with the written permission of a parent or other person having legal custody of the adult or minor child.
106.50(1m)(km)
(km) "Hardship condition" means a situation under which a tenant in housing for older persons has legal custody or physical placement of a minor child or a minor child is placed in the tenant's care under a court order, under a guardianship or with the written permission of a parent or other person having legal custody of the minor child.
106.50(1m)(L)
(L) "Housing" means any improved property, or any portion thereof, including a mobile home as defined in
s. 66.0435 (1) (d) or condominium, that is used or occupied, or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as a home or residence. "Housing" includes any vacant land that is offered for sale or rent for the construction or location thereon of any building, structure or portion thereof that is used or occupied, or is intended, arranged or designed to be used or occupied, as a home or residence.
106.50 Note
NOTE: The cross-reference to s. 66.0435 (1) (d) was changed pursuant to
1999 Wis. Act 150, section
672, which incorrectly indicated that the change was to be made to par. (h). Corrective legislation is pending.
106.50(1m)(m)
(m) "Housing for older persons" means any of the following:
106.50(1m)(m)1.
1. Housing provided under any state or federal program that the secretary determines is specifically designed and operated to assist elderly persons, as defined in the state or federal program.
106.50(1m)(m)2.
2. Housing solely intended for, and solely occupied by, persons 62 years of age or older.
106.50(1m)(m)3.
3. Housing primarily intended and primarily operated for occupancy by at least one person 55 years of age or older per dwelling unit.
106.50(1m)(mm)
(mm) "Interested person" means an adult relative or friend of a member of a protected class, or an official or representative of a private agency, corporation or association concerned with the welfare of a member of a protected class.
106.50(1m)(nm)
(nm) "Member of a protected class" means a group of natural persons, or a natural person, who may be categorized based on one or more of the following characteristics: sex, race, color, disability, sexual orientation as defined in
s. 111.32 (13m), religion, national origin, marital status, family status, lawful source of income, age or ancestry.
106.50(1m)(om)
(om) "Political subdivision" means a city, village, town or county.
106.50(1m)(q)
(q) "Relative" means a parent, grandparent, greatgrandparent, stepparent, step grandparent, brother, sister, child, stepchild, grandchild, step grandchild, greatgrandchild, first cousin, 2nd cousin, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother or half sister or any other person related by blood, marriage or adoption.
106.50(1m)(r)
(r) "Rent" means to lease, to sublease, to let or to otherwise grant for a consideration the right of a tenant to occupy housing not owned by the tenant.
106.50(1m)(s)
(s) "Respondent" means the person accused in a complaint or amended complaint of discrimination in housing and any other person identified in the course of an investigation as allegedly having discriminated in housing.
106.50(1s)
(1s) Department to administer. This section shall be administered by the department through its division of equal rights. The department may promulgate such rules as are necessary to carry out this section. No rule may prohibit the processing of any class action complaint or the ordering of any class-based remedy, or may provide that complaints may be consolidated for administrative convenience only.
106.50(2)
(2) Discrimination prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to discriminate:
106.50(2)(a)
(a) By refusing to sell, rent, finance or contract to construct housing or by refusing to negotiate or discuss the terms thereof.
106.50(2)(b)
(b) By refusing to permit inspection or exacting different or more stringent price, terms or conditions for the sale, lease, financing or rental of housing.
106.50(2)(c)
(c) By refusing to finance or sell an unimproved residential lot or to construct a home or residence upon such lot.
106.50(2)(d)
(d) By advertising in a manner that indicates discrimination by a preference or limitation.
106.50(2)(e)
(e) For a person in the business of insuring against hazards, by refusing to enter into, or by exacting different terms, conditions or privileges with respect to, a contract of insurance against hazards to a dwelling.
106.50(2)(f)
(f) By refusing to renew a lease, causing the eviction of a tenant from rental housing or engaging in the harassment of a tenant.
106.50(2)(g)
(g) In providing the privileges, services or facilities that are available in connection with housing.
106.50(2)(h)
(h) By falsely representing that housing is unavailable for inspection, rental or sale.
106.50(2)(i)
(i) By denying access to, or membership or participation in, a multiple listing service or other real estate service.
106.50(2)(j)
(j) By coercing, intimidating, threatening or interfering with a person in the exercise or enjoyment of, or on account of his or her having exercised or enjoyed, a right granted or protected under this section, or with a person who has aided or encouraged another person in the exercise or enjoyment of a right granted or protected under this section.
106.50(2)(k)
(k) In making available any of the following transactions, or in the terms or conditions of such transactions for a person whose business includes engaging in residential real estate-related transactions:
106.50(2)(k)1.
1. The making or purchasing of loans or the provision of other financial assistance for purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing or maintaining housing or the making or purchasing of loans or the provision of other financial assistance secured by residential real estate.
106.50(2)(k)2.
2. Selling, brokering or appraising residential real property.
106.50(2)(L)
(L) By otherwise making unavailable or denying housing.
106.50(2m)
(2m) Representations designed to induce panic sales. No person may induce or attempt to induce a person to sell or rent housing by representations regarding the present or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person of a particular economic status or a member of a protected class, or by representations to the effect that such present or prospective entry will or may result in any of the following:
106.50(2m)(a)
(a) The lowering of real estate values in the area concerned.
106.50(2m)(b)
(b) A deterioration in the character of the area concerned.
106.50(2m)(c)
(c) An increase in criminal or antisocial behavior in the area concerned.
106.50(2m)(d)
(d) A decline in the quality of the schools or other public facilities serving the area.
106.50(2r)
(2r) Discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibited. 106.50(2r)(b)(b)
Types of discrimination prohibited. In addition to discrimination prohibited under
subs. (2) and
(2m), no person may do any of the following:
106.50(2r)(b)1.
1. Segregate, separate, exclude or treat unequally in the sale or rental of, or otherwise make unavailable or deny, housing to a buyer or renter because of a disability of that buyer or renter, a disability of a person residing in or intending to reside in that housing after it is sold, rented or made available or a disability of a person associated with that buyer or renter.
106.50(2r)(b)2.
2. Segregate, separate, exclude or treat unequally a person in the terms, conditions or privileges of sale or rental of housing, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with such housing, because of a disability of that person, a disability of a person residing in or intending to reside in that housing after it is sold, rented or made available or a disability of a person associated with that person.
106.50(2r)(b)3.
3. Refuse to permit, at the expense of a person with a disability, reasonable modifications of existing housing that is occupied, or is to be occupied, by such a person if the modifications may be necessary to afford the person full enjoyment of the housing, except that in the case of rental housing the landlord may, where it is reasonable to do so, condition permission for a modification on the tenant's agreement to restore the interior of the housing to the condition that existed before the modification, other than reasonable wear and tear. The landlord may not increase any customarily required security deposit. Where it is necessary to ensure that funds will be available to pay for the restorations at the end of the tenancy, the landlord may negotiate as part of a restoration agreement a requirement that the tenant pay into an interest-bearing escrow account, over a reasonable period, a reasonable amount of money not to exceed the cost of the restorations. The interest in any such account shall accrue to the benefit of the tenant. If escrowed funds are not used by the landlord for restorations, they shall be returned to the tenant.
106.50(2r)(b)4.
4. Refuse to make reasonable accommodations in rules, policies, practices or services that are associated with the housing, when such accommodations may be necessary to afford the person equal opportunity to use and enjoy housing, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the owner of the housing.
106.50(2r)(bm)1.1. If an individual's vision, hearing or mobility is impaired, it is discrimination for a person to refuse to rent or sell housing to the individual, cause the eviction of the individual from housing, require extra compensation from an individual as a condition of continued residence in housing or engage in the harassment of the individual because he or she keeps an animal that is specially trained to lead or assist the individual with impaired vision, hearing or mobility if all of the following apply:
106.50(2r)(bm)1.a.
a. Upon request, the individual shows to the lessor, seller or representative of the condominium association credentials issued by a school recognized by the department as accredited to train animals for individuals with impaired vision, hearing or mobility.
106.50(2r)(bm)1.b.
b. The individual accepts liability for sanitation with respect to, and damage to the premises caused by, the animal.
106.50(2r)(bm)2.
2. Subdivision 1. does not apply in the case of the rental of owner-occupied housing if the owner or a member of his or her immediate family occupying the housing possesses and, upon request, presents to the individual a certificate signed by a physician which states that the owner or family member is allergic to the type of animal the individual possesses.
106.50(2r)(c)
(c)
Design and construction of covered multifamily housing. In addition to discrimination prohibited under
pars. (b) and
(bm) and
subs. (2) and
(2m), no person may design or construct covered multifamily housing, as defined in
s. 101.132 (1) (d), unless it meets the standards specified in
s. 101.132 (2) (a) 1. to
4. In addition, no person may remodel, as defined in
s. 101.132 (1) (h), housing with 3 or more dwelling units unless the remodeled housing meets the standards specified in
s. 101.132 (2) (a) 1. to
4. as required under
s. 101.132 (2) (b) 1.,
2. or
3., whichever is applicable.
106.50(5m)(a)1.1. Nothing in this section prohibits discrimination based on age or family status with respect to housing for older persons.
106.50(5m)(a)1e.
1e. Under this paragraph, housing under
sub. (1m) (m) 3. may qualify as housing for older persons only if the owner of the housing maintains records containing written verification that all of the following factors apply to the housing:
106.50(5m)(a)1e.c.
c. Policies are published and procedures are adhered to that demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing under
sub. (1m) (m) 3. for persons 55 years of age or older. The owner or manager may document compliance with this
subd. 1e. c. by maintaining records containing written verification of the ages of the occupants of the housing.
106.50(5m)(a)1m.
1m. No person may discriminate by refusing to continue renting to a person living in housing for older persons under
sub. (1m) (m) 3. who is subject to a hardship condition.
106.50(5m)(a)2.
2. Under this paragraph, housing may qualify as housing for older persons with respect to persons first occupying the housing on or after September 1, 1992, regardless of whether a person who had not attained the age of 62 resided in the housing on that date or regardless of whether one or more dwelling units were unoccupied on that date, if the persons who first occupy the housing on or after that date have attained the age of 62.
106.50(5m)(b)
(b) Nothing in this section shall prohibit a person from exacting different or more stringent terms or conditions for financing housing based on the age of the individual applicant for financing if the terms or conditions are reasonably related to the individual applicant.
106.50(5m)(c)
(c) Nothing in this section shall prohibit the development of housing designed specifically for persons with disabilities and preference in favor of persons with disabilities in relation to such housing.
106.50(5m)(d)
(d) Nothing in this section requires that housing be made available to an individual whose tenancy would constitute a direct threat to the safety of other tenants or persons employed on the property or whose tenancy would result in substantial physical damage to the property of others, if the risk of direct threat or damage cannot be eliminated or sufficiently reduced through reasonable accommodations. A claim that an individual's tenancy poses a direct threat or a substantial risk of harm or damage must be evidenced by behavior by the individual which caused harm or damage, which directly threatened harm or damage or which caused a reasonable fear of harm or damage to other tenants, persons employed on the property or the property. No claim that an individual's tenancy would constitute a direct threat to the safety of other persons or would result in substantial damage to property may be based on the fact that a tenant has been or may be the victim of domestic abuse, as defined in
s. 813.12 (1) (a).
106.50(5m)(e)
(e) It is not discrimination based on family status to comply with any reasonable federal, state or local government restrictions relating to the maximum number of occupants permitted to occupy a dwelling unit.
106.50(5m)(em)1.1. Subject to
subd. 2., nothing in this section applies to a decision by an individual as to the person with whom he or she will, or continues to, share a dwelling unit, as defined in
s. 101.71 (2) except that dwelling unit does not include any residence occupied by more than 5 persons.
106.50(5m)(em)2.
2. Any advertisement or written notice published, posted or mailed in connection with the rental or lease of a dwelling unit under
subd. 1. may not violate
sub. (2) (d),
42 USC 3604 (c), or any rules or regulations promulgated under this section or
42 USC 3601 to
3619, except that such an advertisement or written notice may be for a person of the same sex as the individual who seeks a person to share the dwelling unit for which the advertisement or written notice is placed.
106.50(5m)(f)1.1. Nothing in this section prohibits an owner or agent from requiring that a person who seeks to buy or rent housing supply information concerning family status and marital, financial and business status but not concerning race, color, physical condition, disability, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, religion, creed or, subject to
subd. 2., age.
106.50(5m)(f)2.
2. Notwithstanding
subd. 1., an owner or agent may require that a person who seeks to buy or rent housing under
sub. (1m) (m) 3. supply information concerning his or her age for the purpose of verifying compliance with
par. (a) 1e. b.
106.50(5m)(g)
(g) A person may not be held personally liable for monetary damages for a violation of
sub. (2),
(2m) or
(2r) if the person reasonably relied, in good faith, on the application of the exemption under this subsection relating to housing for older persons. For purposes of this paragraph, a person may show reasonable reliance, in good faith, on the application of the exemption under this subsection relating to housing for older persons only if the person shows all of the following:
106.50(5m)(g)1.
1. That he or she has no actual knowledge that the housing is not or will not be eligible for the exemption.
106.50(5m)(g)2.
2. That the owner of the housing has stated formally, in writing, that the housing complies with the requirements for the exemption.
106.50(6)
(6) Fair housing administrative enforcement. 106.50(6)(a)1.1. The department may receive and investigate a complaint charging a violation of
sub. (2),
(2m) or
(2r) if the complaint is filed with the department not later than one year after the alleged discrimination occurred or terminated.
106.50(6)(a)2.
2. The complaint shall include a written statement of the essential facts constituting the discrimination that is charged, and shall be signed by the complainant.
106.50(6)(a)3.
3. The complaint may be filed by an aggrieved person, by an interested person, by the department of workforce development under
par. (b) or, if the complaint charges a violation of
sub. (2r) (c), by the department of commerce. The department of workforce development shall, upon request, provide appropriate assistance in completing and filing complaints.
106.50(6)(a)4.
4. The department shall serve notice on the aggrieved person acknowledging the filing of the complaint and advising the complainant of the time limits and choice of forums provided under this subsection and the right to bring a private civil action under
sub. (6m).
106.50(6)(a)5.
5. Upon the filing of an initial, amended, final or supplemental complaint, the department shall promptly serve a copy of the complaint upon the respondent, except where testing may be conducted. The initial complaint shall be served before the commencement of the investigation by the department, except where testing may be conducted. The notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice to the respondent shall include a written statement from the department directing the respondent to respond in writing to the allegations in the complaint within 20 days after the date of the notice and further stating that, if the respondent fails to answer the complaint in writing, the department will make an initial determination as to whether discrimination has occurred based only on the department's investigation and the information supplied by the complainant.
106.50(6)(a)6.
6. The department may dismiss the complaint if the complainant fails to respond to the department within 20 days from the date of mailing of any correspondence from the department concerning the complaint, if the department's correspondence requests a response and if the correspondence is sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known-address of the complainant.
106.50(6)(b)
(b)
Powers and duties of department. The department of workforce development and its duly authorized agents may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, take testimony and make investigations as provided in this subsection. The department of workforce development may test and investigate for the purpose of establishing violations of
sub. (2),
(2m) or
(2r) and may make, sign and file complaints alleging violations of
sub. (2),
(2m) or
(2r). In addition, the department of commerce may make, sign and file complaints alleging violations of
sub. (2r) (c). The department of workforce development shall employ examiners to hear and decide complaints of discrimination under this section, and to assist in the administration of this section. The examiners may make findings and issue orders under this subsection. The department of workforce development shall develop and implement an investigation manual for use in conducting investigations under
par. (c).
106.50(6)(c)
(c)
Investigation and finding of probable cause. 106.50(6)(c)1.1. The department shall investigate all complaints that allege a violation of this section and that are filed within the time specified under
par. (a). The department may subpoena persons or documents for the purpose of investigation. If during an investigation it appears that the respondent has engaged in discrimination against the complainant which is not alleged in the complaint, the department may advise the complainant that the complaint should be amended. If the complaint is amended, the department shall also investigate the allegations of the amended complaint.
106.50(6)(c)2.
2. At the conclusion of the investigation of the allegations, the department shall make a determination as to whether probable cause exists to believe that discrimination has occurred or is about to occur. In making a determination of probable cause, the department shall consider whether the facts concerning the alleged discrimination are sufficient to warrant the initiation of a civil action. If the department determines that probable cause exists, the department shall immediately issue a charge on behalf of the aggrieved person. Service of copies of the charge shall be made on the complainant, the respondent and the aggrieved person by certified mail, return receipt requested. When a charge is filed, a complainant, a respondent or an aggrieved person on whose behalf the complaint was filed may elect to have the claims asserted in that charge decided in a civil action under
sub. (6m) in lieu of a hearing under
par. (f). The election shall be made no later than 20 days after the receipt by the electing person of service of the charge, along with information about how to make the election. If an election is made, the person making the election shall give notice of doing so to the department and to all other complainants and respondents to whom the charge relates. The department shall notify the aggrieved persons that an election is made.
