AB539,55,2017 55.043 (4) (b) 5. Refer the case to the department of regulation and licensing
18if the misappropriation of property or financial exploitation, neglect, self-neglect, or
19abuse involves an individual who is required to hold a credential, as defined in s.
20440.01 (2) (a), under chs. 440 to 460.
AB539, s. 156 21Section 156. 55.043 (4) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 55.043 (4) (b) 6. and
22amended to read:
AB539,56,323 55.043 (4) (b) 6. Bring or refer for action to bring a petition for a guardianship
24and protective service services or protective placement or a review of an existing
25guardianship
if necessary to prevent misappropriation of property or financial

1exploitation,
neglect, self-neglect, or abuse and if the vulnerable adult at risk would
2otherwise be at risk of serious harm because of an inability to arrange for necessary
3food, clothing, shelter and, or services.
AB539, s. 157 4Section 157. 55.043 (5) of the statutes is repealed.
AB539, s. 158 5Section 158. 55.043 (5g) of the statutes is created to read:
AB539,56,96 55.043 (5g) Refusal of services. An adult at risk may refuse to accept services
7unless a guardian authorizes the services. The adult-at-risk agency or other
8provider agency shall notify the adult at risk of this right to refuse before providing
9services.
AB539, s. 159 10Section 159. 55.043 (6) of the statutes is created to read:
AB539,56,1111 55.043 (6) Records; confidentiality. (a) In this subsection:
AB539,56,1412 1. "Departmental report form" includes documentation of an adult-at-risk
13agency's response to or investigation of a report made under sub. (1r) and is the
14information required to be submitted to the department.
AB539,56,1615 2. "Record" includes any document relating to the response, investigation,
16assessment, and disposition of a report made under sub. (1r).
AB539,56,2217 (am) The adult-at-risk agency shall prepare a departmental report form on its
18response under sub. (1r) to a report of suspected abuse, financial exploitation,
19neglect, or self-neglect. If the adult-at-risk agency refers the report to an
20investigative agency, the investigative agency shall advise the adult-at-risk agency
21in writing of its response to the report. The adult-at-risk agency shall maintain
22records of suspected abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect.
AB539,56,2523 (b) Departmental report forms are confidential and may not be released by the
24adult-at-risk agency or other investigative agency, except under the following
25circumstances:
AB539,57,6
11. To the adult at risk, any person named in a departmental report form who
2is suspected of abusing, neglecting, or financially exploiting an adult-at-risk, and
3the suspect's attorney. These persons may inspect the departmental report form,
4except that information identifying the person who initially reported the suspected
5abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect, or any other person whose
6safety might be endangered through disclosure, may not be released.
AB539,57,87 2. To the agency or other entity contacted under sub. (2) (b). Information
8obtained under this subdivision shall remain confidential.
AB539,57,139 3. To an individual, organization, or agency designated by the department or
10as required by law for the purposes of management audits or program monitoring
11and evaluation. Information obtained under this subdivision shall remain
12confidential and may not be used in any way that discloses the names of or other
13identifying information about the individuals involved.
AB539,57,2214 4. For purposes of research, if the research project has been approved by the
15department or the adult-at-risk agency and the researcher has provided assurances
16that the information will be used only for the purposes for which it was provided to
17the researcher, the information will not be released to a person not connected with
18the study under consideration, and the final product of the research will not reveal
19information that may serve to identify the individuals involved. The information
20shall remain confidential. In approving the use of information under this
21subdivision, the department shall impose any additional safeguards needed to
22prevent unwarranted disclosure of information.
AB539,57,2323 5. Under lawful order of a court of record.
AB539,58,424 6. To any agency or individual that provides direct services under sub. (4),
25including an attending physician for purposes of diagnosis, examination, and

1treatment, and within the department to coordinate treatment for mental illness,
2developmental disabilities, alcoholism, or drug abuse of individuals committed to or
3under the supervision of the department. Information obtained under this
4subdivision shall remain confidential.
AB539,58,105 7. To the guardian of the adult at risk or the guardian of any person named in
6a report who is suspected of abusing, neglecting, or financially exploiting an adult
7at risk. These persons may inspect the departmental report form, except that
8information identifying the person who initially reported the suspected abuse,
9financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect, or any other person whose safety
10might be endangered through disclosure, may not be released.
AB539,58,1211 8. To law enforcement officials in accordance with the policy developed under
12sub. (1g) (a).
AB539,58,1613 9. To a federal agency, state governmental agency, agency of any other state,
14or local unit of government in this state or any other state that has a need for a
15departmental report form in order to carry out its responsibility to protect adults at
16risk from abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect.
AB539,58,1917 10. To the reporter who made a report in his or her professional capacity,
18regarding action taken to protect or provide services to the alleged victim of abuse,
19financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect.
AB539,58,2320 (bd) If a person requesting a departmental report form is not one of the persons
21or entities specified in par. (b), the adult-at-risk agency may release information
22indicating only whether or not a report was received and whether or not statutory
23responsibility was fulfilled.
AB539,59,3
1(br) Notwithstanding par. (b) 1. to 10., an adult-at-risk agency or an
2investigative agency may not release departmental report forms under this section,
3if any of the following applies:
AB539,59,84 1. The adult-at-risk agency determines that release would be contrary to the
5best interests of the adult at risk who is the subject of the departmental report form
6or of a minor residing with the subject of the departmental report form, or the release
7is likely to cause mental, emotional, or physical harm to the subject of the
8departmental report form or to any other individual.
AB539,59,119 2. The district attorney determines that disclosure of the information would
10jeopardize any ongoing or future criminal investigation or prosecution or would
11jeopardize a defendant's right to a fair trial.
AB539,59,1412 3. The adult-at-risk agency determines that disclosure would jeopardize
13ongoing or future civil investigations or proceedings or would jeopardize the fairness
14of such a legal proceeding.
AB539,59,1715 (bt) Subject to pars. (b), (bd), (br), (bv) and (bw), records under this subsection
16are confidential and may not be released by the adult-at-risk agency or other
17investigative agency, except under the following circumstances, upon request:
AB539,59,1818 1. To the adult at risk who is the alleged victim named in the record.
AB539,59,2219 2. To the legal guardian, conservator, or other legal representative of the adult
20at risk who is the alleged victim named in the record, if the legal guardian,
21conservator, or other legal representative of the alleged victim is not the alleged
22perpetrator of the abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect.
AB539,59,2523 3. To law enforcement officials and agencies in accordance with the policy
24developed under sub. (1g) (a) or with investigations conducted under sub. (1r), or a
25district attorney, for purposes of investigation or prosecution.
AB539,60,3
14. To the department, under s. 51.03 (2), or for death investigations under s.
250.04 (2t) or 50.035 (5); or to a sheriff, police department, or district attorney for
3death investigations under s. 51.64 (2) (a).
AB539,60,74 5. To an employee of the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 that is
5providing services to an adult at risk who is the alleged victim named in the record,
6or to the alleged perpetrator of abuse, to determine whether the alleged victim should
7be transferred to a less restrictive or more appropriate treatment modality or facility.
AB539,60,118 6. To a court, tribal court, or state governmental agency for a proceeding
9relating to the licensure or regulation of an individual or entity regulated or licensed
10by the state governmental agency, that was an alleged perpetrator of abuse, financial
11exploitation, or neglect.
AB539,60,1312 7. To the department, for management, audit, program monitoring,
13evaluation, billing, or collection purposes.
AB539,60,1614 8. To the attorney or guardian ad litem for the adult at risk who is the alleged
15victim named in the record, to assist in preparing for any proceeding under ch. 48,
1651, 55, 880, 971, or 975 pertaining to the alleged victim.
AB539,60,1917 9. To a coroner, medical examiner, pathologist, or other physician investigating
18the cause of death of an adult at risk that is unexplained or unusual or is associated
19with unexplained or suspicious circumstances.
AB539,60,2120 10. To staff members of the protection and advocacy agency designated under
21s. 51.62 and the board on aging and long-term care under s. 16.009.
AB539,60,2422 11. To an agency, including a probation or parole agency, that is legally
23responsible for the supervision of an alleged perpetrator of abuse, neglect, or
24financial exploitation of an adult at risk.
AB539,61,2
112. To a grand jury, if it determines that access to specified records is necessary
2for the conduct of its official business.
AB539,61,33 13. Under a lawful order of a court of record.
AB539,61,84 (bv) The identity of a person making a report of alleged abuse, neglect,
5self-neglect, or financial exploitation shall be deleted from any record prior to its
6release under par. (bt) or from any departmental report form prior to its release
7under par. (b). The identity of any reporter may only be released with the written
8consent of the reporter or under a lawful order of a court of record.
AB539,61,119 (bw) A person to whom a departmental report form or a record is disclosed
10under this subsection may not further disclose it, except to the persons and for the
11purposes specified in this subsection.
AB539,61,1612 (by) A custodian of records or departmental report forms incurs no civil or
13criminal liability under this subsection and may not be found guilty of unprofessional
14conduct for the release or nonrelease of records or departmental report forms in
15accordance with this subsection while acting in good faith and within the scope of his
16or her authority.
AB539, s. 160 17Section 160. 55.043 (7) of the statutes is created to read:
AB539,61,2118 55.043 (7) Exception. Nothing in this section may be construed to mean that
19a person is abused, financially exploited, neglected, or in need of direct or protective
20services solely because he or she consistently relies upon treatment by spiritual
21means through prayer for healing in accordance with his or her religious tradition.
AB539, s. 161 22Section 161. 55.043 (8) of the statutes is created to read:
AB539,61,2523 55.043 (8) Department duties. (a) The department shall develop a plan to
24assist adult-at-risk agencies in determining appropriate responses to reports of
25abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect.
AB539,62,2
1(b) The department shall prepare and distribute sample departmental report
2forms for use by adult-at-risk agencies.
AB539,62,103 (c) The department shall collect statistical information from each county
4pertaining to each reported case of abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or
5self-neglect. The department may require adult-at-risk agency workers or
6investigators to submit departmental report forms to the department that
7summarize the information being reported. These departmental report forms may
8not name or otherwise identify individuals. The department shall use this
9information to review the effectiveness of this section, to plan program changes, and
10to formulate reports.
AB539,62,1611 (d) The department shall develop and disseminate information on
12adult-at-risk abuse and the adult-at-risk reporting system under this section. The
13department shall also develop informational materials to be used by adult-at-risk
14agencies regarding abuse of adults at risk and regarding the adult-at-risk abuse
15reporting system. The department shall solicit contributions of labor, materials, and
16expertise from private sources to assist in developing the informational materials.
AB539, s. 162 17Section 162. 55.043 (9) of the statutes is repealed.
AB539, s. 163 18Section 163. 55.043 (9m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB539,62,2319 55.043 (9m) Penalties. (a) Any person, including the state or any political
20subdivision of the state, violating sub. (6) is liable to any person damaged as a result
21of the violation for such damages as may be proved, together with exemplary
22damages of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each violation and the costs
23and reasonable actual attorney fees that are incurred by the person damaged.
AB539,63,424 (b) In any action brought under par. (a) in which the court determines that the
25violator acted in a manner that was knowing and willful, the violator shall be liable

1for such damages as may be proved together with exemplary damages of not less than
2$500 nor more than $1,000 for each violation, together with costs and reasonable
3actual attorney fees as may be incurred. It is not a prerequisite to an action under
4par. (a) that the plaintiff suffer or be threatened with actual damages.
AB539,63,85 (c) An individual may bring an action to enjoin any violation of sub. (6) or to
6compel compliance with sub. (6), and may in the same action seek damages as
7provided in this subsection. The individual may recover costs and reasonable actual
8attorney fees incurred in the action, if he or she prevails.
AB539,63,109 (d) Whoever violates sub. (1m) (c) 1. may be fined not more than $10,000 or
10imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.
AB539,63,1211 (e) Whoever intentionally violates sub. (1m) (b) by failure to report as required
12may be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.
AB539, s. 164 13Section 164. 55.06 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,63,1814 55.06 (2) (c) As a result of developmental disabilities, infirmities of aging
15degenerative brain disorder, chronic mental illness , or other like incapacities, is so
16totally incapable of providing for his or her own care or custody as to create a
17substantial risk of serious harm to oneself himself, herself, or others. Serious harm
18may be occasioned by overt acts or acts of omission; and
AB539, s. 165 19Section 165. 55.06 (11) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,64,1220 55.06 (11) (a) If, from personal observation of a sheriff, police officer, fire
21fighter, guardian, if any, or authorized representative of a board designated under
22s. 55.02 or an agency designated by it, it appears probable that an individual will
23suffer irreparable injury or death or will present a substantial risk of serious physical
24harm to others as a result of developmental disabilities, infirmities of aging
25degenerative brain disorder, chronic mental illness or other like incapacities if not

1immediately placed, the person making the observation may take into custody and
2transport the individual to an appropriate medical or protective placement facility.
3The person making placement shall prepare a statement at the time of detention
4providing specific factual information concerning the person's observations and the
5basis for emergency placement. The statement shall be filed with the director of the
6facility and shall also be filed with any petition under sub. (2). At the time of
7placement the individual shall be informed by the director of the facility or the
8director's designee, both orally and in writing, of his or her right to contact an
9attorney and a member of his or her immediate family and the right to have an
10attorney provided at public expense, as provided under s. 967.06 and ch. 977, if the
11individual is a child or is indigent. The director or designee shall also provide the
12individual with a copy of the statement by the person making emergency placement.
AB539, s. 166 13Section 166. 106.54 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,64,1714 106.54 (5) The division shall receive complaints of discharge, retaliation or
15discrimination under s. 16.009 (5) (d), 46.90 (4) (b) or , 50.07 (3) (b), or 55.043 (1m) (c)
16and shall process the complaints in the same manner that employment
17discrimination complaints are processed under s. 111.39.
AB539, s. 167 18Section 167. 146.40 (1) (ab) of the statutes is created to read:
AB539,64,1919 146.40 (1) (ab) "Abuse" has the meaning given in s. 46.90 (1) (a).
AB539, s. 168 20Section 168. 146.40 (1) (aw) of the statutes is created to read:
AB539,64,2121 146.40 (1) (aw) "Financial exploitation" means any of the following:
AB539,64,2522 1. Obtaining an individual's money or property by deceiving or enticing the
23individual, or by forcing, compelling, or coercing the individual to give, sell at less
24than fair market value, or in other ways convey money or property against his or her
25will without his or her informed consent.
AB539,65,1
12. Theft, as prohibited in s. 943.20.
AB539,65,32 3. The substantial failure or neglect of a fiscal agent to fulfill his or her
3responsibilities.
AB539, s. 169 4Section 169. 146.40 (4g) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,65,85 146.40 (4g) (a) 3. Findings of the department under sub. (4r) (b) or of the
6hearing officer under sub. (4r) (d) concerning the misappropriation of property
7financial exploitation or the neglect or abuse of a client by an individual listed under
8sub. 2.
AB539, s. 170 9Section 170. 146.40 (4r) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,65,1310 146.40 (4r) (a) Any individual may report to the department that he or she
11believes that any person employed by or under contract with an entity has neglected
12or abused a client or misappropriated the client's property financially exploited the
13client
.
AB539, s. 171 14Section 171. 146.40 (4r) (am) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,65,1815 146.40 (4r) (am) 1. Except as provided in sub. 2., an entity shall report to the
16department any allegation of misappropriation of the property financial exploitation
17of a client or of neglect or abuse of a client by any person employed by or under
18contract with the entity if the person is under the control of the entity.
AB539, s. 172 19Section 172. 146.40 (4r) (am) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,65,2520 146.40 (4r) (am) 2. An entity shall report to the department of regulation and
21licensing any allegation of misappropriation of the property financial exploitation of
22a client or of neglect or abuse of a client by any person employed by or under contract
23with the entity if that person holds a credential that is related to the person's
24employment at, or contract with, the entity if the person is under the control of the
25entity.
AB539, s. 173
1Section 173. 146.40 (4r) (am) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,66,52 146.40 (4r) (am) 3. An entity that intentionally fails to report an allegation of
3misappropriation of the property financial exploitation of a client or of neglect or
4abuse of a client may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000 and may be subject
5to other sanctions specified by the department by rule.
AB539, s. 174 6Section 174. 146.40 (4r) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,66,217 146.40 (4r) (b) Except as provided in pars. (em) and (err), the department shall
8review and investigate any report received under par. (a) or (am) and, if the
9allegation is substantiated, make specific, documented findings concerning the
10misappropriation of property financial exploitation or the neglect or abuse. The
11department shall in writing by certified mail notify the person specified in the report
12that the person's name and the department's findings about the person shall be listed
13in the registry under sub. (4g) (a) 2. and 3. unless the person contests the listings in
14a hearing before the division of hearings and appeals created under s. 15.103 (1). The
15written notification shall describe the investigation conducted by the department,
16enumerate the findings alleging misappropriation of property financial exploitation
17or neglect or abuse of a client and explain the consequence to the person specified in
18the report of waiving a hearing to contest the findings. The person specified in the
19report shall have 30 days after receipt of the notification to indicate to the
20department in writing whether he or she intends to contest the listing or to waive the
21hearing.
AB539, s. 175 22Section 175. 146.82 (2) (a) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,67,523 146.82 (2) (a) 7. To a county an elder-adult-at-risk agency designated under
24s. 46.90 (2) or other investigating agency under s. 46.90 for purposes of s. 46.90 (4)
25(a) and (5) or to the county protective services an adult-at-risk agency designated

1under s. 55.02 for purposes of s. 55.043. The health care provider may release
2information by initiating contact with the county elder-adult-at-risk agency or
3county protective services adult-at-risk agency without receiving a request for
4release of the information from the county elder-adult-at-risk agency or county
5protective services adult-at-risk agency.
AB539, s. 176 6Section 176. 813.123 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,67,8 7813.123 (title) Vulnerable adult restraining Restraining orders and
8injunctions
for individuals at risk.
AB539, s. 177 9Section 177. 813.123 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB539,67,1010 813.123 (1) (a) "Abuse" has the meaning given in s. 55.01 46.90 (1) (a).
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