SB495: Bill Text

SB495, s. 12 Section 12. 49.45 (41) (a) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

SB495, s. 13 Section 13 . 49.45 (41) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,11,4 49.45 (41) (b) If a county or municipality elects to become certified as a provider of mental health crisis intervention services, the county or municipality may provide mental health crisis intervention services under this subsection in the county or municipality to medical assistance recipients through the medical assistance program. A county or municipality that elects to provide the services shall pay the amount of the allowable charges for the services under the medical assistance program that is not provided by the federal government. The department shall reimburse the county or municipality under this subsection only for the amount of the allowable charges for those services under the medical assistance program that is provided by the federal government.

Note: The amendments in Sections 11 to 13 remove references to municipalities in the statutes relating to mental health crisis intervention services. According to the DHFS, these amendments are necessary because under s. 51.42 counties, not municipalities, are responsible for mental health crisis intervention services, and new DHFS standards identify counties, or agencies contracting with counties, as the appropriate entities for certification to provide these services.

SB495, s. 14 Section 14 . 50.03 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,11,10 50.03 (2m) (a) Each licensee or applicant for license shall file with the department the name and address of a person authorized to accept service of any notices or other papers which the department may send by registered or certified mail, with a return receipt requested. The person authorized by a nursing home under this paragraph shall be located at the nursing home.

Note: The amendment in Section 14 provides that a licensee or applicant for license which is a nursing home must file with the DHFS the name and address of a person who is located at the nursing home and is authorized to accept service of any notices or other papers which DHFS may send by registered or certified mail, with a return receipt requested. According to the DHFS, this change is needed because notices may currently be sent to nursing home corporate offices, which may be distant from the nursing homes being inspected and does not facilitate the smooth and efficient transfer of information between the nursing home and the DHFS.

SB495, s. 15 Section 15 . 50.03 (4) (e) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

SB495,12,2 50.03 (4) (e) Each license shall be issued only for the premises and persons named in the application and is not transferable or assignable. The license shall be posted in a place readily visible to residents and visitors, such as the lobby or reception area of the facility. Any license granted shall state the maximum bed capacity allowed number of the facility's beds that are licensed by the department, the person to whom the license is granted, the date of issuance, the maximum level of care for which the facility is licensed as a condition of its licensure and such additional information and special conditions as the department may prescribe.

Note: The amendment in Section 15 provides that a license for a nursing home shall state the number of beds approved by the DHFS, rather than the maximum bed capacity allowed. According to the DHFS, the term "maximum bed capacity" in the current statute refers to the maximum number of beds that a nursing home could physically accommodate. Since the DHFS regulates the number and distribution of nursing home beds, the representation and reporting of the actual number of beds operated by a nursing home on the nursing home's license would more accurately reflect reality.

SB495, s. 16 Section 16 . 50.035 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,12,8 50.035 (6) Posting of notice required. Beginning on January 1, 1992, the The licensee of a community-based residential facility, or his or her designee, shall post in a conspicuous location in the community-based residential facility a notice, provided by the board on aging and long-term care, of the name, address and telephone number of the long-term care ombudsman program under s. 16.009 (2) (b).

Note: The amendment in Section 16 deletes an outdated reference to the date that a posting requirement for CBRF licenses went into effect.

SB495, s. 17 Section 17 . 50.04 (2v) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,12,13 50.04 (2v) Posting of notice required. Beginning on January 1, 1992, a A nursing home shall post in a conspicuous location in the nursing home a notice, provided by the board on aging and long-term care, of the name, address and telephone number of the long-term care ombudsman program under s. 16.009 (2) (b).

Note: The amendment in Section 17 deletes an outdated reference to the date that a posting requirement for nursing home ombudsman program information went into effect.

SB495, s. 18 Section 18 . 50.04 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,13,2 50.04 (3) (d) Survey of institutions for mental diseases. Before July 1, 1988 During inspections conducted under par. (a), the department shall conduct a survey to determine whether any nursing home that is licensed under this section is an institution for mental diseases, as defined under 42 CFR 435.1009. On or after July 1, 1988, the department shall make these determinations during inspections conducted under par. (a).

Note: The amendment in Section 18 deletes an outdated reference to a date by which the DHFS had to conduct a survey to determine whether any licensed nursing home was an institution for mental disease.

SB495, s. 19 Section 19 . 50.09 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,13,11 50.09 (4) Each facility shall make available a copy of the rights and responsibilities established under this section and the facility's rules to each resident and to each resident's guardian legal representative, if any, at or prior to the time of admission to the facility, to each person who is a resident of the facility on December 12, 1975 and to each member of the facility's staff. The rights, responsibilities and rules shall be posted in a prominent place in each facility. Each facility shall prepare a written plan and provide appropriate staff training to implement each resident's rights established under this section.

Note: The amendments in Section 19 change a reference to a nursing home resident's guardian to a nursing home resident's legal representative. According to the DHFS, the broader term "legal representative" is more appropriate here because it encompasses other substitute decision makers who may exist for nursing home residents, such as those acting under a health care power of attorney. In addition, an outdated reference to a date that the requirement that a copy of certain information be given to the resident and his or her guardian went into effect is deleted.

SB495, s. 20 Section 20 . 50.095 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,13,13 50.095 (title) Resident's right to know ; nursing home reports.

SB495, s. 21 Section 21. 50.095 of the statutes is renumbered 50.095 (1).

SB495, s. 22 Section 22. 50.096 (title) of the statutes is repealed.

SB495, s. 23 Section 23. 50.096 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 50.095 (2) and amended to read:

SB495,13,20 50.095 (2) Beginning in 1988, the The department may request from a nursing home information necessary for preparation of a report under sub. (2) (3), and the nursing home, if so requested, shall provide the information.

SB495, s. 24 Section 24. 50.096 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 50.095 (3), and 50.095 (3) (intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:

SB495,14,5 50.095 (3) (intro.) By July 1, 1988, and annually thereafter, the The department shall provide each nursing home with a report that includes the following information for the nursing home:

SB495, s. 25 Section 25 . 50.096 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 50.095 (4) and amended to read:

SB495,14,9 50.095 (4) Upon receipt of a report under sub. (2) (3), the nursing home shall make the report available to any person requesting the report.

Note: The amendments in Sections 20 to 25 delete outdated references to beginning dates authorizing the DHFS to request information from nursing homes, and requiring that DHFS provide each nursing home with an annual report.

SB495, s. 26 Section 26 . 50.14 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,14,21 50.14 (3) By October 31, 1992, each facility shall submit to the department the facility's occupied licensed bed count and the amount due under sub. (2) for each occupied licensed bed of the facility for each month for the period from July 1, 1992, to September 30, 1992. Thereafter, by the end of each month, each facility shall submit its to the department the facility's occupied licensed bed count and payment the amount due under sub. (2) for each occupied licensed bed of the facility for the month preceding the month during which the bed count and payment are being submitted. The department shall verify the bed count and, if necessary, make adjustments to the payment, notify the facility of changes in the bed count or payment and send the facility an invoice for the additional amount due or send the facility a refund.

Note: The amendment in Section 26 deletes outdated references to dates by which inpatient health care facility bed counts and payments are due the DHFS.

SB495, s. 27 Section 27 . 69.05 (6) of the statutes is repealed.

SB495, s. 28 Section 28 . 69.18 (1) (e) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,15,6 69.18 (1) (e) 1. (intro.) If a death is a miscarriage and 20 weeks or more have elapsed between the mother's last normal menstrual period and delivery or the stillbirth weighs 350 grams or more, one of the following shall submit, within 5 days after delivery, a fetal death report to the registration district where delivery occurred state registrar:

Note: Under current law, fetal death reports must first be filed at the local registration office in the place where the fetus was delivered. Local registrars are then required to forward these reports to the state registrar of vital statistics. The amendments in Sections 27 and 28 change current law to require filing of fetal death reports directly with the state registrar. According to the DHFS, this change will speed up the filing process for these documents; decrease the risk that confidential information could become public; and decrease mailing and other costs currently incurred by local registrars in handling these reports.

SB495, s. 29 Section 29. 115.28 (16) of the statutes is repealed.

SB495, s. 30 Section 30 . 146.82 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,15,14 146.82 (1) Confidentiality. All patient health care records shall remain confidential. Patient health care records may be released only to the persons designated in this section or to other persons with the informed consent of the patient or of a person authorized by the patient. This subsection does not prohibit reports made in compliance with s. 146.995 or 979.01 or testimony authorized under s. 905.04 (4) (h).

SB495, s. 31 Section 31 . 146.82 (2) (a) 18. of the statutes is created to read:

SB495,16,4 146.82 (2) (a) 18. Following the death of a patient, to a coroner, deputy coroner, medical examiner or medical examiner's assistant, for the purpose of completing a medical certificate under s. 69.18 (2) or investigating a death under s. 979.01 or 979.10. The health care provider may release information by initiating contact with the office of the coroner or medical examiner without receiving a request for release of the information and shall release information upon receipt of an oral or written request for the information from the coroner, deputy coroner, medical examiner or medical examiner's assistant. The recipient of any information under this subdivision shall keep the information confidential except as necessary to comply with s. 69.18, 979.01 or 979.10.

Note: Under current law, coroners and medical examiners are not included as parties who are granted access to medical records without informed consent of the next of kin or through a subpoena. According to the DHFS, this conflicts with the statutory responsibility of these officials to perform certain duties connected with deaths. The amendments in Sections 30 and 31 provide that coroners and medical examiners may have access to certain health care records in order to perform their duties.

SB495, s. 32 Section 32 . 251.04 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,16,15 251.04 (8) Unless the manner of employment is otherwise provided for by ordinance, a local board of health shall employ qualified public health professionals, including a public health nurse to conduct general public health nursing programs under the direction of the local board of health and in cooperation with the department, and may employ one or more sanitarians to conduct environmental programs and other public health programs not specifically designated by statute as functions of the public health nurse. The local board of health shall coordinate the activities of any sanitarian employed by the county board governing body of the jurisdiction that the local board of health serves. The local board of health is not required to employ different persons to perform these functions.

Note: Under current law, a local board of health must employ qualified public health professionals. The local board of health is required to coordinate activities of any sanitarian employed by the county board. According to the DHFS, this statute, as presently worded, would give authority to the boards of health of cities, villages and towns to coordinate the activities of sanitarians employed by county boards. The amendment in Section 32 would eliminate the authority for a local board of health of one unit of local government to coordinate activities to employes of a separate unit of local government.

SB495, s. 33 Section 33 . 251.06 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,17,2 251.06 (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 education accrediting organization or from a nursing program accredited by the board of nursing.

SB495, s. 34 Section 34 . 251.06 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:

SB495,17,7 251.06 (1) (a) 3. If there is more than one full-time employe of a Level I local health department, including a full-time public health nurse who meets the qualifications specified under s. 250.06, the local health officer may meet the qualifications of a Level II or Level III local health officer.

Note: Under current law, there are Level I, II and III local health departments. Currently, statutes permit an appropriately qualified individual who is not a nurse to direct a Level II or III local health department, but permit only a nurse to direct a Level I health department. The amendments in Sections 33 and 34 permit a Level I local health officer to meet the qualifications of a Level II or III health officer, if there is more than one full-time employe in a Level I health department and as long as the health department employs a full time professional nurse who is qualified under s. 250.06 stats.

SB495, s. 35 Section 35 . 255.04 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,17,12 255.04 (3) (intro.)  Any information reported to the department under sub. (1) or (5) which could identify any individual who is the subject of the report or the person a physician submitting the report shall be confidential and may not be disclosed by the department except to the following:

Note: Under current law, the cancer reporting system has been unable to respond to requests for aggregate information on cancer cases treated by hospitals, clinics and laboratories, based on the interpretation that s. 255.04 (3) requires the identities of these reporting entities to be kept confidential. The amendment in Section 35 provides that only "physicians" are subject to this confidentiality requirement, not the broader category of "persons", which has been interpreted to include hospitals, clinics and laboratories. According to the DHFS, this change will enable the cancer reporting system to respond to requests for aggregate data on cancer cases treated by hospitals, clinics and laboratories.

SB495, s. 36 Section 36 . 806.07 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB495,17,16 806.07 (1) (intro.)  On motion and upon such terms as are just, the court, subject to subs. (2) and (3), may relieve a party or legal representative from a judgment, order or stipulation for the following reasons:

SB495, s. 37 Section 37 . 806.07 (3) of the statutes is created to read:

SB495,18,6 806.07 (3) A motion under this section may not be made by an adoptive parent to relieve the adoptive parent from a judgment or order under s. 48.91 (3) granting adoption of a child. A petition for termination of parental rights under s. 48.42 and an appeal to the court of appeals shall be the exclusive remedies for an adoptive parent who wishes to end his or her parental relationship with his or her adoptive child.

Note: The amendments in Sections 36 and 37 provide that an adoptive parent may not make a motion under s. 806.07 (3) to be relieved from a judgment or order under s. 48.91 (3) granting the adoption of a child. The amendments clarify, together with the provisions in Sections 8 and 9 of this bill, that a petition for termination of parental rights is the exclusive remedy for an adoptive parent who wishes to end his or her parental relationship with his or her adoptive child.

SB495, s. 38 Section 38. Initial applicability; health and family services.

SB495,18,12 (1) Contracts for community integration program care in community-based residential facilities. The treatment of sections 46.275 (5) (b) 7. and 46.277 (5) (f) of the statutes first applies to contracts under section 46.275 (5), 46.277 (5) or 46.278 (6) of the statutes that are issued, renewed, modified or extended on the effective date of this subsection.

SB495,18,16 (2) Bed approval on nursing home and community-based residential facility licenses. The treatment of section 50.03 (4) (e) of the statutes first applies to licenses for nursing homes and community-based residential facilities that are issued, renewed, modified or extended on the effective date of this subsection.

SB495,18,17 (End)