49.713 History
History: 1985 a. 29;
1995 a. 27 ss.
2824,
2825,
2827; Stats. 1995 s. 49.713.
49.72
49.72
County infirmaries; establishment. 49.72(1)
(1) Each county, or any 2 or more counties jointly, may establish, pursuant to
s. 46.17 or
46.20 a county infirmary for the treatment, care and maintenance of the aged infirm.
49.72(2)
(2) In counties with a population of 500,000 or more, such institution shall be governed pursuant to
s. 46.21, but in all other counties it shall be governed pursuant to
ss. 46.18,
46.19 and
46.20.
49.72(3)(a)
(a) An aged infirm person is a person over the age of 65 years so incapacitated mentally by the degenerative processes of old age, or so incapacitated physically, as to require continuing infirmary care.
49.72(3)(b)
(b) A county infirmary is a county institution created pursuant to
sub. (1) or
(2) under the general supervision and inspection of the department pursuant to
ss. 46.16 and
46.17 as to adequacy of equipment and staff to treat, care for and maintain the physical and mental needs of aged infirm persons.
49.72(4)
(4) The uniform accounting system established by
s. 50.03 (10) shall be used by each county infirmary and shall be subject to the conditions enumerated therein.
49.72 History
History: 1971 c. 125;
1975 c. 413 s.
18;
1977 c. 26 s.
75;
1995 a. 27 ss.
2828 to
2834; Stats. 1995 s. 49.72.
49.723
49.723
County infirmaries, admissions; standards. 49.723(1)(1) The following standards shall apply to admissions to a county infirmary:
49.723(1)(a)
(a) The primary standard shall be need of infirmary care, rather than ability to pay for care, and no person shall be excluded from an infirmary solely because of ability or inability to pay for care.
49.723(1)(b)
(b) The person admitted must be an aged infirm individual, and it must be reasonably apparent that unless admitted the person will be without adequate care.
49.723(1)(cm)
(cm) Except as provided in
par. (d), any person who meets the standards for admission is eligible for admission.
49.723(1)(d)
(d) An applicant who has removed residence to Wisconsin from a state which requires that one who has removed residence from Wisconsin to that state reside in the latter more than one year before being eligible for a similar type of care shall be required to reside in this state for a like period before becoming eligible for admission.
49.723(2)
(2) The board of trustees of a county infirmary, subject to regulations approved by the county board, shall establish rules and regulations governing the admission and discharge of voluntary patients.
49.723(3)
(3) If it appears to the satisfaction of the circuit court for the county in which an infirmary is located, upon petition for commitment, that a person meets the standards under
sub. (1), it may, after affording the person an opportunity to be heard in person or by someone on his or her behalf, commit the person to a county infirmary. The power to commit includes persons who entered an infirmary voluntarily. The court may also, on petition and after a hearing, order the discharge of any patient, upon a showing that the patient is no longer in need of infirmary care, or that the patient can be adequately cared for elsewhere.
49.723(4)
(4) The board of trustees on receipt of an application for voluntary admission, or the circuit court on the filing of a petition for commitment, shall appoint a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery in this state to examine personally the applicant or the subject of the petition and to advise the board or court whether such person meets the standard prescribed by
sub. (1) (a).
49.723(5)
(5) The department shall prescribe and prepare the forms to be used for the voluntary admission or commitment of patients.
49.723(6)
(6) The circuit court in the case of a commitment, and the board of trustees in the case of a voluntary admission, shall pass on the economic status of the patient at the time of commitment or admission, and in all cases in which the patient has residence in another county shall notify the county of residence of the fact of such commitment or admission.
49.723 History
History: 1977 c. 449 ss.
130,
497;
1985 a. 29;
1989 a. 359;
1995 a. 27 s.
2835; Stats. 1995 s. 49.723;
1995 a. 225.
49.726
49.726
County infirmaries; cost of treatment, care and maintenance of patients. 49.726(1)
(1) In the first instance the county or counties operating an infirmary shall defray the actual per capita cost of treatment, care and maintenance. To the extent that a patient is a public charge, such county or counties shall be reimbursed for such expenditures, as determined from annual infirmary reports filed with the department under
s. 46.18 (8),
(9) and
(10), by the county of residence.
49.726(2)
(2) To the extent that a patient is not a public charge, such cost shall be charged and paid in advance for each calendar month, and payment may be enforced by the board of trustees.
49.726(4)
(4) The records and accounts of each county infirmary may be audited by the department. In addition to other findings, such audits shall ascertain compliance with the mandatory uniform cost record-keeping system requirements of
s. 46.18 (8),
(9) and
(10), and verify the actual per person cost of maintenance, care and treatment of patients.
49.726 History
History: 1971 c. 108 ss.
5,
6;
1971 c. 125 s.
523;
1985 a. 29;
1995 a. 27 s.
2836; Stats. 1995 s. 49.726.
49.729
49.729
County infirmaries; fees and expenses of proceedings. The fees of examining physicians, witnesses and guardians ad litem and other expenses of proceedings under
ss. 49.72 to
49.726 shall be governed by
s. 51.20 (18).
49.729 History
History: 1975 c. 430 s.
80;
1977 c. 428 s.
115;
1995 a. 27 s.
2837; Stats. 1995 s. 49.729.
49.73
49.73
Residential care institutions; establishment. 49.73(1)(1) Any county or combination of counties may establish and staff a county residential care institution for the reception and care of dependent persons which shall be governed by the county board. The institution shall be licensed under
s. 50.03 by the department before receiving or caring for any dependent person.
49.73(2)
(2) Residential care institutions may be established and staffed by private vendors for the reception and care of dependent persons. The institution shall be licensed under
s. 50.03 by the department before receiving or caring for any dependent persons.
49.73(3)
(3) Any county operated or private residential care facility not certifiable as a Title XIX facility shall be licensed and governed under
s. 50.03 by the department before receiving or caring for any dependent persons.
49.73(4)
(4) The cost of care of such patients shall be determined by multiplying the per day patient rate for such facility as determined by applying the formula under
s. 49.45 (6m) (ag), except that interest on capital expenditures which are reimbursable under
s. 51.91 shall be excluded, times the number of days of care of such patients in the time period being considered. Any amounts received by the facility from the patient or resident shall be deducted from the costs determined under this subsection. This section shall not be construed to require that as a condition of reimbursement any facility must meet any skilled or intermediate care standards established by the department.
49.73(6)
(6) The care, services and supplies provided under this section shall be a liability against the patient's county of residence.
49.74
49.74
Institutions subject to chapter 150. Any institution created under the authority of
s. 49.70,
49.71,
49.72 or
49.73 is subject to
ch. 150.
49.74 History
History: 1977 c. 29;
1995 a. 27 s.
2850; Stats. 1995 s. 49.74.
49.77
49.77
State supplemental payments. 49.77(1)
(1)
Definition. In this section "secretary" means the secretary of the U.S. department of health and human services or the secretary of any other federal agency subsequently charged with the administration of federal Title XVI.
49.77(2)(a)(a) The following persons who meet the resource limitations and the nonfinancial eligibility requirements of the federal supplemental security income program under
42 USC 1381 to
1383d are entitled to receive supplemental payments under this section:
49.77(2)(a)1.
1. Any needy person or couple residing in this state who, as of December 31, 1973, was receiving benefits under s.
49.18, 1971 stats., s.
49.20, 1971 stats., or s.
49.61, 1971 stats., as affected by
chapter 90, laws of 1973.
49.77(2)(a)2.
2. Any needy person or couple residing in this state and receiving benefits under federal Title XVI.
49.77(2)(a)3.
3. Any needy person or couple residing in this state whose income, after deducting income excludable under federal Title XVI, is less than the combined benefit level available under federal Title XVI and this section, if at least one of the following requirements are met:
49.77(2)(a)3.a.
a. The person or couple was eligible for a state supplement under this section based on the last federal eligibility determination prior to January 1, 1996, but was not eligible to receive a payment under federal Title XVI on that date.
49.77(2m)
(2m) Supplemental payment levels. The department may submit a proposal to change the amount of supplemental payments under this section to the secretary of administration. If the secretary of administration approves the proposal, he or she shall submit it to the joint committee on finance for approval, modification or disapproval. Joint committee on finance approval of a change in the amount of supplemental payments will be considered to be given, if within 14 calendar days after the secretary of administration files a proposal with the joint committee on finance, the committee has not scheduled a public hearing or executive session to review the proposal. Payment changes approved by the joint committee on finance are subject to the approval of the governor. Following action by the joint committee on finance, the governor shall have 10 days, not including Sundays, to communicate approval or disapproval in writing. If no action is taken by the governor within that time, the decision of the joint committee on finance shall take effect. The procedures under
s. 13.10 do not apply to this subsection.
49.77(3)
(3) Minimum supplemental payment in certain cases. The total monthly benefits received under this section and federal Title XVI by a person or couple described in
sub. (2) (a) 1. shall not be less than the total state cash assistance payment amount plus gross earned and unearned income, received by such person or couple for December of 1973.
49.77(3g)
(3g) Federal payments. If federal supplemental security income payments increase, the department may, with approval as provided under
sub. (2m), reduce payments under this section by all or part of the amount of the increase, subject to
42 USC 1382g.
49.77(3s)
(3s) Increased supplemental payment in certain cases. 49.77(3s)(a)(a) The department shall authorize the payment of an increased state supplement to a person receiving payments under this section who resides in a residential setting if the person needs at least 40 hours per month of supportive home care, daily living skills training or community support services.
49.77(3s)(b)1.1. If a person receiving payments under this section is a minor child residing with a parent, only services needed when the parent is away from the residence for purposes of employment count toward the 40-hour requirement in
par. (a).
49.77(3s)(b)2.
2. If a person receiving payments under this section resides with a spouse, only services needed either because the spouse is away from the residence for purposes of employment or because the spouse is physically or mentally unable to provide the care count toward the 40-hour requirement in
par. (a).
49.77(3s)(c)
(c) The department shall establish a uniform assessment process for determining eligibility under this subsection.
49.77(3s)(d)
(d) The amount payable under this subsection equals the amount of the state supplement under
sub. (2) (a) paid to persons living in nonmedical group homes.
49.77(4)
(4) Optional federal administration. 49.77(4)(a)(a) The department may enter into an agreement with the secretary under which the secretary will provide supplemental payments to all eligible persons on behalf of the state or any of its subdivisions. Under the agreement the department shall pay to the secretary an amount specified in accordance with agreed procedures. The department may make advance payments to the secretary if the agreement so provides.
49.77(4)(b)
(b) The department may enter into an agreement with the secretary under which the secretary may determine eligibility for medical assistance in the case of aged, blind or disabled individuals under the state plan approved under Title XIX of the social security act.
49.77(4)(c)
(c) Agreements made under this subsection or modifications to such agreements require prior approval or amendment by the joint committee on finance. Prior approval will be deemed to be given if within 21 calendar days following the department filing a proposed modification with the joint committee on finance, the committee has not scheduled a public hearing or executive session to review the proposed modification. Agreements or modifications to such agreements approved by the joint committee on finance shall be subject to the approval of the governor. Following action by the joint committee on finance, the governor shall have 10 days, not including Sundays, to communicate approval or disapproval in writing. If no action is taken by the governor within that time, the decision of the joint committee on finance shall take effect. The procedures under
s. 13.10 do not apply to this paragraph.
49.77(5)
(5) Income determination. In determining the amount of aid to be granted a person applying for supplemental payments under this section, income shall be disregarded to the extent allowed by federal regulations.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
49.81
49.81
Public assistance recipients' bill of rights. The department of health and family services, the department of industry, labor and job development and all public assistance and relief-granting agencies shall respect rights for recipients of public assistance. The rights shall include all rights guaranteed by the
U.S. constitution and the constitution of this state, and in addition shall include:
49.81(1)
(1) The right to be treated with respect by state agents.
49.81(2)
(2) The right to confidentiality of agency records and files on the recipient. Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the use of such records for auditing or accounting purposes.
49.81(3)
(3) The right to access to agency records and files relating to the recipient, except that the agency may withhold information obtained under a promise of confidentiality.
49.81(4)
(4) The right to a speedy determination of the recipient's status or eligibility for public assistance, to notice of any proposed change in such status or eligibility, and, in the case of assistance granted under
s. 49.19,
49.46,
49.468 or
49.47, to a speedy appeals process for resolving contested determinations.
49.82
49.82
Administration of public assistance programs. 49.82(1)(1)
Departments to advise counties. The department of health and family services and the department of industry, labor and job development shall advise all county officers charged with the administration of requirements relating to public assistance programs under this chapter and shall render all possible assistance in securing compliance therewith, including the preparation of necessary blanks and reports. The department of health and family services and the department of industry, labor and job development shall also publish such information as it deems advisable to acquaint persons entitled to public assistance and the public generally with the laws governing public assistance under this chapter.
49.82(2)
(2) Eligibility verification. Proof shall be provided for each person included in an application for public assistance under this chapter, except for a child who is eligible for medical assistance under
s. 49.46 or
49.47 because of
42 USC 1396a (e) (4), of his or her social security number or that an application for a social security number has been made.
49.83
49.83
Limitation on giving information. Except as provided under
s. 49.32 (9),
(10) and
(10m), no person may use or disclose information concerning applicants and recipients of relief funded by a relief block grant, aid to families with dependent children, Wisconsin works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161, social services, child and spousal support and establishment of paternity services under
s. 49.22 or supplemental payments under
s. 49.77 for any purpose not connected with the administration of the programs. Any person violating this section may be fined not less than $25 nor more than $500 or imprisoned in the county jail not less than 10 days nor more than one year or both.
49.83 Note
NOTE: This section is shown as affected by three acts of the 1995 legislature and as merged by the revisor under s. 13.93 (2) (c).
49.83 History
History: 1995 a. 27 ss.
3142,
3144; Stats. 1995 s. 49.83;
1995 a. 289,
361,
404; s. 13.93 (2) (c).
49.84
49.84
Verification of public assistance applications. 49.84(1)(1) Any person who applies for any public assistance shall execute the application or self-declaration in the presence of the welfare worker or other person processing the application. This subsection does not apply to any superintendent of a mental health institute, director of a center for the developmentally disabled, superintendent of a state treatment facility or superintendent of a state correctional facility who applies for public assistance on behalf of a patient.
49.84(2)
(2) At the time of application, the agency administering the public assistance program shall apply to the department of health and family services for a certified copy of a birth certificate for the applicant if the applicant is required to provide a birth certificate or social security number as part of the application and for any person in the applicant's household who is required to provide a birth certificate or social security number. The department of health and family services shall provide without charge any copy for which application is made under this subsection.
49.84(3)
(3) Notwithstanding
subs. (1) and
(2), personal identification documentation requirements may be waived for 10 days for an applicant for relief funded by a relief block grant, if the applicant agrees to cooperate with the relief agency by providing information necessary to obtain proper identification.
49.84(4)
(4) Notwithstanding
sub. (2), the relief agency receiving an application under
sub. (3) shall pay on behalf of any applicant under
sub. (3) fees required for the applicant to obtain proper identification.
49.84(5)
(5) A person applying for Wisconsin works under
ss. 49.141 to
49.161, aid to families with dependent children under
s. 49.19, medical assistance under
subch. IV or food stamp program benefits under
7 USC 2011 to
2029 shall, as a condition of eligibility, provide a declaration and other verification of citizenship or satisfactory immigration status as required by the department by rule or as required in
42 USC 1320b-7 (d).
49.85
49.85
Certification of certain public assistance overpayments. 49.85(1)(1)
County department notification requirement. If a county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22 or
46.23, a governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band or a Wisconsin works agency determines that the department of health and family services may recover an amount under
s. 49.497 or that the department of industry, labor and job development may recover an amount under
s. 49.125,
49.161 or
49.195 (3), the county department or governing body shall notify the affected department of the determination.
49.85(2)(a)(a) At least annually, the department of health and family services shall certify to the department of revenue the amounts that, based on the notifications received under
sub. (1) and on other information received by the department of health and family services, the department of health and family services has determined that it may recover under
s. 49.497, except that the department of health and family services may not certify an amount under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under
sub. (3) and unless its determination has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal.
49.85(2)(b)
(b) At least annually, the department of industry, labor and job development shall certify to the department of revenue the amounts that, based on the notifications received under
sub. (1) and on other information received by the department of industry, labor and job development, the department of industry, labor and job development has determined that it may recover under
ss. 49.125,
49.161 and
49.195 (3), except that the department of industry, labor and job development may not certify an amount under this subsection unless it has met the notice requirements under
sub. (3) and unless its determination has either not been appealed or is no longer under appeal.
