Chapter 103

103.34(4)(b)1. 1. A bond.

103.34(4)(b)2. 2. A certificate of deposit.

103.34(4)(b)3. 3. An escrow account.

103.34(4)(b)4. 4. An irrevocable letter of credit.

103.34(4)(c) (c) The commitment described in par. (b) shall be established in favor of or made payable to the department, for the benefit of the state and any traveling sales crew worker who does not receive the compensation earned by the worker. The applicant shall file with the department any agreement, instrument, or other document necessary to enforce the commitment against the applicant or any relevant 3rd party, or both.

103.34(5) (5) Disclosure statement.

103.34(5)(a) (a) At the time an individual is offered employment as a traveling sales crew worker or is otherwise recruited to work as a traveling sales crew worker, the employer shall provide the individual with a written disclosure statement of the terms of employment. If the individual accepts the offer of employment, the employer and the individual shall sign the written disclosure statement. A written disclosure statement shall include all of the following information:

103.34(5)(a)1. 1. The place or places of employment, stated with as much specificity as possible.

103.34(5)(a)2. 2. The compensation, including wage rates, commissions, bonuses, and contest awards, to be paid.

103.34(5)(a)3. 3. The type or types of work on which the individual may be employed.

103.34(5)(a)4. 4. The pay period and the manner in which compensation will be paid.

103.34(5)(a)5. 5. The number of days per week and hours per day that the individual may be required to engage in sales activities or related support work.

103.34(5)(a)6. 6. The nature and frequency of any employment-related meetings that the individual may be required to attend, the time of day of those meetings, and how compensation is paid for attendance at those meetings.

103.34(5)(a)7. 7. The period of employment, including the approximate beginning and ending dates of employment.

103.34(5)(a)8. 8. A description of the board, lodging, and other facilities to be provided by the employer to the individual and any costs to be charged to the individual for those facilities.

103.34(5)(a)9. 9. A description of the transportation to be provided by the employer to the individual and, if the employment will involve the storage, handling, or transportation of hazardous materials or may involve any other exposure to hazardous materials, a description of the hazardous materials.

103.34(5)(a)10. 10. Whether worker’s compensation is provided and, if so, the name and telephone number of the employee, agent, or representative of the employer to whom notice of a claim for worker’s compensation must be provided and the time period within which that notice must be provided.

103.34(5)(b) (b) An employer of a traveling sales crew worker shall comply with the terms of a disclosure statement provided under par. (a). An employer may change the terms of a disclosure statement, but no change is effective until a supplemental disclosure statement is signed by the employer and the traveling sales crew worker. Any change to the terms of a disclosure statement may apply prospectively only.

103.34(6) (6) Payment of compensation; deductions; statements; records.

103.34(6)(a) (a) An employer shall pay all compensation earned by a traveling sales crew worker on regular paydays designated in advance by the employer, but in no case less often than semimonthly. Compensation shall be paid in U.S. currency or by check or draft.

103.34(6)(b) (b) An employer may deduct from a traveling sales crew worker’s compensation the cost to the employer of furnishing board, lodging, or other facilities to the worker if the board, lodging, or other facilities are customarily furnished by the employer to the traveling sales crew workers of the employer; the amount deducted does not exceed the fair market value of the board, lodging, or other facilities and does not include any profit to the employer; and the traveling sales crew worker has previously authorized the deduction by signing a written disclosure statement under sub. (5) (a) that includes a description of the board, lodging, and other facilities to be provided and any costs to be charged to the worker for those facilities.

103.34(6)(c) (c) An employer shall provide with each payment of compensation to a traveling sales crew worker a written statement itemizing the amount of gross and net compensation paid to the worker and the amount of and reason for each deduction from the amount of gross compensation. An employer shall keep records of the information specified in this paragraph with respect to each traveling sales crew worker of the employer, shall preserve those records for 3 years after the worker leaves the employ of the employer, and shall furnish those records to the department on request.

103.34(6)(d) (d) A traveling sales crew worker who is owed compensation may file a wage claim with the department under s. 109.09 (1) or may bring an action under s. 109.03 (5) without first filing a wage claim with the department.

103.34(7) (7) Worker safety.

103.34(7)(a) (a) An employer of a traveling sales crew worker shall maintain and operate, or cause to be maintained and operated, any motor vehicle used to transport a traveling sales crew worker in compliance with all state and federal safety standards that are applicable to the maintenance and operation of the motor vehicle, including any additional safety standards relating specifically to the transportation of traveling sales crew workers prescribed by the department by rule promulgated under sub. (13). In prescribing those additional safety standards, the department shall consider all of the following:

103.34(7)(a)1. 1. The types of motor vehicles that are commonly used to transport traveling sales crew workers.

103.34(7)(a)2. 2. The safe passenger-carrying capacity of those motor vehicles.

103.34(7)(a)3. 3. The extent to which a proposed safety standard would cause an undue burden to traveling sales crew employers.

103.34(7)(a)4. 4. Any safety standards prescribed by the federal secretary of transportation under 49 USC 13101 to 14915, 49 USC 30101 to 30170, and 49 USC 31101 to 31504 and any other chapter of title 49 of the United States Code that are applicable to the maintenance and operation of a motor vehicle that is commonly used to transport traveling sales crew workers.

103.34(7)(b) (b) If the duties of a traveling sales crew worker include the storage, handling, or transportation of hazardous materials or may result in any other exposure of a traveling sales crew worker to hazardous materials, the employer shall ensure that the hazardous materials are stored, handled, and transported, and that the traveling sales crew worker is trained in the safe storage, handling, and transportation of hazardous materials, in accordance with all state and federal safety standards that are applicable to the storage, handling, and transportation of hazardous materials or to exposure to hazardous materials, including any additional safety standards relating specifically to the storage, handling, and transportation of hazardous materials by traveling sales crew workers or to the exposure of traveling sales crews to hazardous materials prescribed by the department by rule promulgated under sub. (13). In prescribing those additional safety standards, the department shall consider all of the following:

103.34(7)(b)1. 1. The types of hazardous materials that are included in products commonly sold by traveling sales crews.

103.34(7)(b)2. 2. The extent to which a proposed safety standard would cause an undue burden to traveling sales crew employers.

103.34(7)(b)3. 3. Any safety standards prescribed by the federal secretary of transportation under 49 USC 5101 to 5128 or by the federal occupational safety and health administration under 29 USC 651 to 678 that are applicable to the storage, handling, and transportation of hazardous materials by a traveling sales crew worker or to any other exposure of a traveling sales crew worker to hazardous materials.

103.34(8) (8) Insurance coverage. The employer of a traveling sales crew worker shall have in force a policy of insurance that insures the employer, in an amount prescribed by the department by rule promulgated under sub. (13), against liability for damages to persons and property arising out of the ownership or operation by the employer or by any employee, agent, or representative of the employer of a motor vehicle that is used to transport a traveling sales crew worker and a policy of insurance that insures the employer, in an amount prescribed by the department by rule promulgated under sub. (13), against liability for damages to persons and property arising out of any negligent act or omission of the employer or of any employee, agent, or representative of the employer. If the employer is required under s. 102.28 (2) to provide worker’s compensation coverage for its employees, the employer shall also provide that coverage.

103.34(9) (9) Prohibited practices. No employer of a traveling sales crew worker and no employee, agent, or representative of that employer who supervises or transports traveling sales crew workers may do any of the following:

103.34(9)(a) (a) Employ or permit to work as a traveling sales crew worker a person under 18 years of age or employ or permit to work as a traveling sales crew worker a person 18 years of age or over who has been adjudged incompetent under ch. 54 without the permission of the person’s guardian.

103.34(9)(b) (b) Require a traveling sales crew worker to engage in any in-person sales or solicitation activities before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m.

103.34(9)(c) (c) Consider a traveling sales crew worker to be an independent contractor rather than an employee.

103.34(9)(d) (d) Require a traveling sales crew worker to purchase any consumer goods or services solely from the employer or to pay any of the employer’s business expenses, except as permitted under sub. (6) (b).

103.34(9)(e) (e) Abandon a traveling sales crew worker who is unable to work due to illness or injury or who is discharged from employment for reasons other than misconduct without providing for the return of the traveling sales crew worker to his or her permanent place of residence.

103.34(9)(f) (f) Abandon a traveling sales crew worker who has been arrested and is being held in custody in connection with a violation of sub. (11) (a) 3. or a local ordinance regulating that conduct.

103.34(9)(g) (g) Require a traveling sales crew worker to relinquish custody of any of his or her personal property to the employer, to any employee, agent, or representative of the employer who supervises or transports traveling sales crew workers, or to any other traveling sales crew worker of the employer.

103.34(9)(h) (h) Prohibit or restrict a traveling sales crew worker from contacting any family member, friend, or other person while traveling with a traveling sales crew.

103.34(9)(i) (i) Intentionally inflict or threaten to inflict any bodily harm on a traveling sales crew worker or damage to the property of a traveling sales crew worker as a means of discipline or motivation.

103.34(9)(j) (j) Advise or counsel a traveling sales crew worker to make false representations to a person to whom he or she is offering consumer goods or services concerning his or her motivation for selling those goods or services.

103.34(9)(k) (k) Discharge or discriminate against any person for opposing a practice prohibited under this section. Section 111.322 (2m) applies to discharge and other discriminatory acts arising in connection with any proceeding under this section.

103.34(10) (10) Child support; delinquent taxes or unemployment insurance contributions.

103.34(10)(a) (a)

103.34(10)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 3., the department shall require each applicant for a certificate of registration who is an individual to provide the department with the applicant’s social security number, and shall require each applicant for a certificate of registration who is not an individual to provide the department with the applicant’s federal employer identification number, when initially applying for or applying to renew the certificate of registration.

103.34(10)(a)2. 2. If an applicant who is an individual fails to provide the applicant’s social security number to the department or if an applicant who is not an individual fails to provide the applicant’s federal employer identification number to the department, the department may not issue or renew a certificate of registration to or for the applicant unless the applicant is an individual who does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under subd. 3.

103.34(10)(a)3. 3. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department. A certificate of registration issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.

103.34(10)(a)4. 4. The department of workforce development may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 or on the request of the department of children and families under s. 49.22 (2m).

103.34(10)(b) (b) The department of workforce development shall deny, suspend, restrict, refuse to renew, or otherwise withhold a certificate of registration for failure of the applicant or registrant to pay court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses, or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or for failure of the applicant or registrant to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. Notwithstanding s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided in the memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857 and not as provided in ch. 227.

103.34(10)(c) (c) The department of workforce development shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration, or revoke a certificate of registration already issued, if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent taxes. Notwithstanding s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

103.34(10)(d) (d)

103.34(10)(d)1. 1. The department may deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a certificate of registration, or revoke a certificate of registration already issued, if the department determines that the applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d). Notwithstanding s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this subdivision is subject to review only as provided under s. 108.227 (5) and not as provided in ch. 227.

103.34(10)(d)2. 2. If the department denies an application or revokes a certificate of registration under subd. 1., the department shall mail a notice of denial or revocation to the applicant or registrant. The notice shall include a statement of the facts that warrant the denial or revocation and a statement that the applicant or registrant may, within 30 days after the date on which the notice of denial or revocation is mailed, file a written request with the department to have the determination that the applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent contributions reviewed at a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a).

103.34(10)(d)3. 3. If, after a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a), the department affirms a determination under subd. 1. that an applicant or registrant is liable for delinquent contributions, the department shall affirm its denial or revocation. An applicant or registrant may seek judicial review under s. 108.227 (6) of an affirmation by the department of a denial or revocation under this subdivision.

103.34(10)(d)4. 4. If, after a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a), the department determines that a person whose certificate of registration is revoked or whose application is denied under subd. 1. is not liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d), the department shall reinstate the certificate of registration or approve the application, unless there are other grounds for revocation or denial. The department may not charge a fee for reinstatement of a certificate under this subdivision.

103.34(11) (11) Traveling sales crew worker permits.

103.34(11)(a) (a)

103.34(11)(a)1. 1. No individual may be employed or permitted to work as a traveling sales crew worker unless the employer of the individual first obtains from the department a traveling sales crew worker permit for the individual as provided in this subdivision, and the individual first obtains from the department an identification card as provided in this subdivision. The traveling sales crew worker permit and identification card shall be in a form prescribed by the department, which form shall include at a minimum the name and permanent home address of the traveling sales crew worker and the name, address, and phone number of his or her employer.

103.34(11)(a)2. 2. An employer of a traveling sales crew worker and all employees, agents, or representatives of that employer who supervise or transport traveling sales crew workers shall carry at all times while engaged in traveling sales crew activities a copy of the permit obtained under subd. 1. for each traveling sales crew worker of the employer and shall exhibit that copy upon the request of any deputy of the department, law enforcement officer, or person with whom the employer, employee, agent, or representative is doing business.

103.34(11)(a)3. 3. A traveling sales crew worker shall carry at all times while engaged in traveling sales crew activities the identification card obtained under subd. 1. and shall exhibit that card upon the request of any deputy of the department, law enforcement officer, or person with whom the traveling sales crew worker is doing business.

103.34(11)(a)4. 4. Failure to exhibit a copy of a permit upon request under subd. 2. or an identification card upon request under subd. 3. is prima facie evidence of a violation of this section.

103.34(11)(b) (b) A traveling sales crew employer shall do all of the following:

103.34(11)(b)1. 1. Keep a copy of the permit obtained under par. (a) 1. for each traveling sales crew worker of the employer for at least 3 years after the traveling sales crew worker leaves the employ of the employer and allow the department to inspect those permits upon request.

103.34(11)(b)2. 2. Keep a list of the names of all cities, villages, or towns where traveling sales crew workers of the employer engaged in traveling sales crew activities within the last 3 years and allow the department to inspect that list upon request.

103.34(11)(b)3. 3. At the request of the department, provide a list of all cities, villages, or towns where the employer intends to employ traveling sales crew workers in traveling sales crew activities for the 6-month period beginning on the date of the request.

103.34(11)(c) (c) Before an employer may permit a traveling sales crew worker of the employer to engage in traveling sales crew activities in any city, village, or town, the employer shall obtain from the clerk of the city, village, or town a stamp or endorsement on the permit obtained under par. (a) 1. of the traveling sales crew worker. When an employer obtains that stamp or endorsement, the employer shall provide notice that traveling sales crew workers of the employer will be engaging in traveling sales crew activities in that city, village, or town to the following:

103.34(11)(c)1. 1. The local police department, if the city, village, or town has a police department.

103.34(11)(c)2. 2. To the sheriff of the county where the city, village, or town is located, if the city, village, or town does not have a police department.

103.34(11)(d) (d) Law enforcement officers of counties, cities, villages, and towns shall assist the department in enforcing this section by questioning individuals seen engaging in traveling sales crew activities and reporting to the department all cases of individuals apparently engaging in traveling sales crew activities in violation of this section.

103.34(12) (12) Penalties; enforcement.

103.34(12)(a) (a) Any person that engages in traveling sales crew activities in violation of this section, any rule promulgated under sub. (13), or any order issued under this section, that employs or permits the employment of any individual as a traveling sales crew worker in violation of this section, any rule promulgated under sub. (13), or any order issued under this section, or that hinders or delays the department or any law enforcement officer in the performance of their duties under this section, may be required to forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $1,000 for each day of a first offense and, for a 2nd or subsequent offense within 5 years, as measured from the dates the violations initially occurred, may be fined not less than $250 nor more than $5,000 for each day of the 2nd or subsequent offense or imprisoned not more than 30 days or both.

103.34(12)(b) (b) In addition to the penalties under par. (a), any person that employs or permits the employment of any individual as a traveling sales crew worker in violation of sub. (2), (5) (b), (9) (b), or (11) (a) or (c) shall be liable, in addition to the wages paid, to pay to each individual affected, an amount equal to twice the regular rate of pay as liquidated damages for all hours worked in violation per day or per week, whichever is greater.

103.34(12)(c) (c) The department of workforce development may refer violations of this section or of any rules promulgated under sub. (13) for prosecution by the department of justice or the district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred.

103.34(13) (13) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section. Those rules shall include all of the following:

103.34(13)(a) (a) A fee for obtaining a certificate of registration. The department shall determine the fee based on the cost of issuing certificates of registration. The department may not require an individual who is eligible for a fee waiver under the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44 to pay a fee for obtaining a certificate of registration.

103.34(13)(b) (b) Minimum requirements for the issuance of a certificate of registration.

103.34(13)(c) (c) Safety standards relating to the transportation of traveling sales crew workers, the storage, handling, and transportation of hazardous materials by traveling sales crews and any other exposure of a traveling sales crew worker to hazardous materials, and the training of traveling sales crews in the storage, handling, and transportation of hazardous materials.

103.34(13)(d) (d) The amount of liability insurance that an employer of a traveling sales crew worker shall have in force under sub. (8).

103.34(14) (14) Nonapplicability; nonpreemption.

103.34(14)(a) (a) This section does not apply to the employment of a person in a fund-raising sale for a nonprofit organization, as defined in s. 103.21 (2), a public school, as defined in s. 103.21 (5), or a private school, as defined in s. 103.21 (4).

103.34(14)(b) (b) This section does not preempt a county, city, village, or town from enacting a local ordinance regulating traveling sales crew activities. To the extent that a local ordinance regulates conduct that is regulated under this section, the local ordinance shall be at least as strict as the regulation of that conduct under this section.

103.34 History History: 2009 a. 3; 2011 a. 209; 2013 a. 36, 362; 2015 a. 264, 366; 2017 a. 283; 2021 a. 76; 2023 a. 10, 224.

103.34 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DWD 273, Wis. adm. code.

103.35 103.35 Information required for licensure. No state office, department, board, examining board, affiliated credentialing board, commission, council or independent agency in the executive branch, the legislature or the courts may, as a condition for receiving an occupational or professional certificate, license, permit or registration, require the submission of information by the applicant which is not essential for the determination of eligibility for the issuance or renewal of the certificate, license, permit or registration. Information which is not essential to determine eligibility for issuance or renewal may be requested but the applicant shall be notified in a prominent place on or accompanying the request that she or he is not required to provide such information.

103.35 History History: 1979 c. 34; 1993 a. 107.