Analysis
The 1995-97 Budget Act, 1995 Wis. Act 27, created s. 49.45 (39), Stats., which requires the Department of Health and Social Services to reimburse school districts and Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESAs) for Medical Assistance school-based services. this rule-making order describes the covered services: speech, language, audiology and hearing services; occupational therapy; physical therapy; nursing services; psychological services, counseling and social work; developmental testing and assessments; transportation; and certain durable medical equipment. the order also explains the recordkeeping collaboration with other health care providers required of school-based service providers.
Publication Date:
June 15, 1996
Effective Date:
June 15, 1996
Expiration Date:
November 12, 1996
Hearing Dates:
June 26, 27, 1996
Extension Through:
January 10, 1997
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT (2)
Health and Family Services
(Health, Chs. HSS 110--)
1. Rules adopted revising chs. HSS 172, 175, 178, 195 to 198, relating to permits and permit fees.
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Health & Social Services finds that an emergency exists and that the adoption of the rules is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public, peace, health, safety or welfare. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
The Department and agent local government health departments regulate campgrounds, camps, the operation of swimming pools that serve the public, restaurants, hotels and motels, tourist rooming houses, bed and breakfast establishments and food vending operations, under the authority of ss. 254.47 and 254.61 to 254.88, Stats., to ensure that these facilities comply with health, sanitation and safety standards established by the Department by rule. The Department's rules are in chs. HSS 172, 175, 178, 195, 196, 197 and 198, Wis. Adm. Code. None of these facilities may operate without receiving a permit from the Department or an agent local government health department. A permit is evidence that a facility complies with the Department's rules on the date of issuance of the permit. All permits except those for bed and breakfast establishments are one-year permits. A facility is charged a permit fee. Permit fee revenues support the regulatory program.
In 1993 the Budget Act for 1993-95 directed the Department to establish permit fees by rule beginning July 1, 1994. Until then the fees had been set by statute.
This rulemaking order increases permit fees effective July 1, 1996, by about 10% for campgrounds; recreational and educational camps; swimming pools that serve the public; restaurants; hotels, motels and tourist rooming houses; bed and breakfast establishments; and food vending operators and commissaries. It also increases preinspection fees for restaurants; hotels, motels and tourist rooming houses; bed and breakfast establishments; and food vending commissaries.
The fees are increased to cover higher costs for these regulatory programs.
The rules are being promulgated as emergency rules to protect public health and safety. The fee increases will take effect on July 1, 1996, which is the beginning of a new permit period. Raising the fees as provided in this order will enable the Department to avoid running a deficit in program revenue and so avoid having to reduce inspections of food-serving, lodging and recreational facilities and taking longer to respond to foodborne and waterborne disease outbreaks.
The fees established by this order do not apply to facilities regulated by local health departments granted agent status under s. 254.69, Stats. Permit fees for those facilities are established by the local health departments, pursuant to s. 254.69 (2) (d), Stats.
Publication Date:
June 8, 1996
Effective Date:
July 1, 1996
Expiration Date:
November 28, 1996
Hearing Date:
August 28, 1996
Extension Through:
January 26, 1997
2. Rules adopted revising ch. HSS 172, relating to public swimming pools.
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Health and Social Services finds that an emergency exists and that the rules are necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety or welfare. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
The Department and agent local government health departments regulate the operation of public swimming pools under the authority of s. 257.47, Stats, to ensure that these facilities comply with health, sanitation and safety standards established by the Department by rule. The Department rules are in ch. HSS 172, Wis. Adm. Code. No public swimming pool may operate without having a permit from the Department or an agent local government health department.
This rulemaking order clarifies and updates the definition of public swimming pool, updates requirements for lifeguards and adds rescue tubes as required lifeguard equipment.
Section 254.47 (1), Stats., directs the Department to define “public swimming pool,” in rule, for purposes of the regulatory program. The current rule definition has not been changes for many years and has some resulting ambiguity, one reason being that some types of facilities are called by new names.
The requirements under s. HSS 172.05 (2) (a)3. for lifeguard certification have to be modified due to changes in American Red Cross and the American Heart Association courses. The rules changes will ensure that all lifeguards are qualified to fulfill their duties as specified in ch. HSS 172. The exception under s. HSS 172.05 (2) (c) to lifeguard certification for persons holding a current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certificate is removed. This is because the American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification course no longer includes course work in lifesaving methods. The change, however, will allow persons currently certified under the old program to the use of that certification until it expires.
New lifeguard training incorporates use of rescue tubes. These tubes are therefore made required equipment when lifeguards are provided.
These changes are needed to protect the health and assure the safety of persons using public swimming pools.
Publication Date:
June 22, 1996
Effective Date:
June 22, 1996
Expiration Date:
November 19, 1996
Hearing Date:
August 28, 1996
Extension Through:
January 17, 1997
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Health & Social Services
(Economic Support, Chs. HSS 200-)
Rules adopted creating s. HSS 201.135, relating to time limits on benefits for AFDC recipients participating in the JOBS program.
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
The Legislature in s. 275 (3) of 1995 Wis. Act 289 directed the Department to promulgate the rule required under s. 49.145 (2) (n), stats., as created by Wis. Act 289, by using emergency rulemaking procedures but without having to make a finding of emergency. The rule will take effect on October 1, 1996.
Analysis Prepared by the Department of Workforce Development
Under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program an individual may apply and be determined eligible for AFDC benefits with no regard to whether the individual has received benefits in the past or the number of months an individual may have already received benefits. Wisconsin Works (W-2), the replacement program for AFDC, as created by 1995 Wis. Act 289, includes a provision limiting the amount of time an individual may receive AFDC benefits, W-2 employment position benefits or a combination thereof. Under s. 49.145 (2) (n), Stats., as created by 1995 Wis. Act 289, the total number of months in which an adult has actively participated in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program under s. 49.193, Stats., or has participated in a W-2 employment position or both may not exceed 60 months. The months need not be consecutive. Extensions to the 60 month time limit may be granted only in unusual circumstances in accordance with rules promulgated by the Department. Section 49.141 (2) (b), Stats., as created by 1995 Wis. Act 289, provides that if a federal waiver is granted or federal legislation is enacted, the Department may begin to implement the W-2 program no sooner than July 1, 1996. Participation in JOBS under s. 49.193, Stats., begins to count toward the 60-month limit beginning on October 1, 1996.
The federal Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193) was signed into law by President Clinton on August 22, 1996. It creates the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program which proves that a state may not use any part of the TANF grant to provide assistance to a family that includes an adult who has received assistance for 60 months, whether consecutive or not, under a state program funded by the TANF block grant. Wisconsin submitted its TANF Block Grant State Plan to the Federal Administration for Children and Families on August 22, 1996. The Department will implement time limits October 1, 1996, for AFDC recipients who are actively participating in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Training Program. Implementation of the time limits is part of the continuing transition from AFDC to the W-2 program. W-2 will be implemented statewide in September 1997.
Time limits reinforce the idea that AFDC is a temporary support for families, rather than a long-term source of income. Wisconsin's Work Not Welfare (WNW) demonstration project which is operating in Fond du Lac and Pierce Counties, has shown that time limits create a sense of urgency for families to actively seek alternatives to AFDC. Time limits stress mutual responsibility: government provides support and services designed to promote employment and participants who are able must prepare for and enter employment.
The rule defines the term “actively participating” in the JOBS program and includes criteria county or tribal economic support agency would use to determine whether an extension of the 60 month time limit should be granted. The Department retains the right to review an economic support agency's decisions related to extensions.
Publication Date:
September 30, 1996
Effective Date:
October 1, 1996
Expiration Date:
February 28, 1997
Hearing Date:
November 19, 1996
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Industry, Labor & Human Relations
(Uniform Dwellings, Chs. ILHR 20-25)
Rules adopted revising chs. ILHR 20 and 21, relating to one- and two-family dwellings constructed in flood hazard zones.
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Industry, Labor and Human Relations finds that an emergency exists and that the adoption of the rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of public health, safety and welfare. The facts constituting the emergency are as follows:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has informed some municipalities that it will no longer allow variances to a local ordinance that prohibits the construction of homes in flood fringe areas where the foundation extends below the base flood elevation. FEMA regulations allow this type of construction in some locations but require the construction to meet a suitable building code. The Uniform Dwelling Code, which regulates new home construction in Wisconsin, has never addressed this issue. FEMA's actions have halted some residential projects, causing serious financial hardship for those affected Wisconsin builders and residents.
The proposed rules add requirements to the Uniform Dwelling Code for construction in flood fringe areas in order to meet FEMA requirements. The primary source of these rules is the National Building Code published by Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Incorporated (BOCA).
Publication Date:
May 8, 1996
Effective Date:
May 8, 1996
Expiration Date:
October 5, 1996
Hearing Date:
July 17, 1996
Extension Through:
February 1, 1997
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Industry, Labor & Human Relations
[Workforce Development]
(Labor Standards, Chs. ILHR 270-279)
Rules adopted revising ch. ILHR 272, relating to the minimum wage.
Finding of Emergency
The Department of Workforce Development finds that an emergency exists and that a rule is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety and welfare. A statement of the facts constituting the emergency is:
The minimum wage set by federal law will be raised to $4.75 per hour effective October 1, 1996. The federal minimum wage covers many but not all of the employers and employes in the state, and it is not always easy for a particular employer to know if it is covered by state or federal law. If the state did not act quickly to adjust its minimum wage rules in response to the change in federal law, many employers and employes would be subjected to confusion and uncertainty in the calculation and payment of wages.
Publication Date:
August 28, 1996
Effective Date:
October 1, 1996
Expiration Date:
February 28, 1997
Hearing Date:
December 17, 1996
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT
Commissioner of Insurance
Rule adopted revising s. Ins 18.07 (5) (b), relating to a decrease in 1996-97 premium rates for the health insurance risk-sharing plan.
Exemption From Finding of Emergency
Pursuant to s. 619.14 (5) (e), Stats., the commissioner is not required to make a finding of an emergency to promulgate this emergency rule.
1996-97 Premium Adjustments
The Commissioner of Insurance, based on the recommendation of the Health Insurance Risk-Sharing Plan (“HIRSP”) board, is required to set the annual premiums by rule. The rates must be calculated in accordance with generally accepted actuarial principles and must be set at 60% of HIRSP's operating and administrative costs. This rule adjusts the premium rates for the period of October 1, 1996 through June 30, 1997, based upon a recalculation of costs and subsidy payments for the 1996-1997 fiscal year. This adjustment represents a 12% reduction in premium payments for the both the non-subsidized major medical and medicare plans for person under age 65. The rates for low-income persons entitled to a premium reduction under s. Ins 18.07 (5) (b) are not affected.
Publication Date:
September 4, 1996
Effective Date:
October 1, 1996
Expiration Date:
February 28, 1997
Hearing Date:
November 8, 1996
EMERGENCY RULES NOW IN EFFECT (6)
