440.92(6)(a)(a) Every preneed seller registered under
sub. (1) shall file an annual report with the department. The report shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the department. The report shall be made on a calendar-year basis unless the department, by rule, provides for other reporting periods. The report is due on or before the 60th day after the last day of the reporting period.
440.92(6)(b)
(b) The preneed seller shall include all of the following in the annual report under
par. (a):
440.92(6)(b)1.
1. If the preneed seller is a corporation that is required to file a report under
s. 180.1622 or
181.1622, a copy of that report and the name, residence address and business address of each shareholder who beneficially owns, holds or has the power to vote 5% or more of any class of securities issued by the corporation.
440.92(6)(b)2.
2. An accounting of amounts deposited in, amounts withdrawn from, income accruing to and the balance at the close of the reporting period of each preneed trust fund for which the preneed seller is the trustee.
440.92(6)(c)
(c) A preneed seller who is the trustee of any trust fund under
s. 445.125 (1) shall include in the report required under
par. (a) an accounting of amounts deposited in, amounts withdrawn from, income accruing to and the balance at the close of the reporting period of such trust funds.
440.92(6)(d)
(d) All records described under
pars. (b) 2. and
(c) and maintained by the department are confidential and are not available for inspection or copying under
s. 19.35 (1). This paragraph does not apply to any information regarding the name, address or employer of or financial information related to an individual that is requested under
s. 49.22 (2m) by the department of workforce development or a county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5).
440.92(6)(e)
(e) The department shall review each report filed under
par. (a) to determine whether the preneed seller is complying with this section.
440.92(6)(f)
(f) The preneed seller shall keep a copy of the report required under
par. (a) at its principal place of business and, except for those records described under
pars. (b) 2. and
(c), shall make the report available for inspection, upon reasonable notice, by any person with an interest in purchasing cemetery merchandise or a mausoleum space from the preneed seller or by any person who has entered into or is the beneficiary of a preneed sales contract with the preneed seller.
440.92(6)(g)
(g) The preneed seller shall maintain all of the following:
440.92(6)(g)2.
2. Records that show, for each deposit in a trust fund or account specified in
pars. (b) 2. and
(c), the name of the purchaser or beneficiary of the preneed sales contract relating to the deposit and the item purchased.
440.92(6)(h)
(h) The records under
par. (b) 1. shall be permanently maintained by the preneed seller. The records under
par. (b) 2. shall be maintained for not less than 3 years after all of the obligations of the preneed sales contract have been fulfilled. The department may promulgate rules to establish longer time periods for maintaining records under this paragraph.
440.92(6)(i)
(i) The department may promulgate rules requiring preneed sellers registered under
sub. (1) to maintain other records and establishing minimum time periods for the maintenance of those records.
440.92(6)(j)
(j) The department may audit, at reasonable times and frequency, the records, trust funds and accounts of any preneed seller registered under
sub. (1), including records, trust funds and accounts pertaining to services provided by a preneed seller which are not otherwise subject to the requirements under this section. The department may conduct audits under this paragraph on a random basis, and shall conduct all audits under this paragraph without providing prior notice to the preneed seller.
440.92(6)(k)
(k) The department may promulgate rules establishing a filing fee to accompany the report required under
par. (a). The filing fee shall be based on the approximate cost of regulating preneed sellers.
440.92(7)
(7) Approval of warehouses. No person may own or operate a warehouse unless the warehouse is approved by the department. Upon application, the department shall approve a warehouse that is located in this state if the person who operates the warehouse is licensed as a public warehouse keeper by the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under
ch. 99, but may not approve a warehouse that is located in this state unless the person is so licensed. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the requirements for approval of warehouses that are located outside this state. The rules shall require warehouses that are located outside this state to file with the department a bond furnished by a surety company authorized to do business in this state in an amount that is sufficient to guarantee the delivery of cemetery merchandise to purchasers under preneed sales contracts. The department shall compile and keep a current list of the names and addresses of all warehouses approved under this subsection and shall make the list available for public inspection during the times specified in
s. 230.35 (4) (f).
440.92(9)
(9) Exemptions; certification of compliance of cemetery affiliated with religious society. 440.92(9)(a)(a) If the cemetery authority of a cemetery that is affiliated with a religious society organized under
ch. 187 or that religious society files an annual certification with the department as provided in this subsection, neither the cemetery authority nor any employee of the cemetery is required to be registered as a cemetery preneed seller under
sub. (1) during the period for which the certification is effective.
440.92(9)(b)
(b) A certification under this subsection shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the department and include all of the following:
440.92(9)(b)1.
1. The name and address of each cemetery to which the certification applies.
440.92(9)(b)2.
2. The name, address and social security number of each employee of the cemetery who sold or solicited the sale of cemetery merchandise or an undeveloped space under a preneed sales contract for the cemetery during the 12-month period immediately preceding the date on which the certification is filed with the department.
440.92(9)(b)3.
3. A notarized statement of a person who is legally authorized to act on behalf of the religious society under this subsection that, during the 12-month period immediately preceding the date on which the certification is filed with the department, each employee specified under
subd. 2. and the cemetery authority have either fully complied or have substantially complied with
subs. (2),
(3) (a) and
(b) and
(5).
440.92(9)(c)
(c) If the statement under
par. (b) 3. includes a statement of substantial compliance, the statement of substantial compliance must also specify those instances when the employee or cemetery authority did not fully comply with
sub. (2),
(3) (a) or
(b) or
(5).
440.92(9)(d)
(d) A certification under this subsection is effective for the 12-month period immediately following the date on which the certification is filed with the department.
440.92(9)(e)
(e) During the effective period specified under
par. (d), the department may not audit the preneed trust funds or any records or accounts relating to the preneed trust funds of the cemetery authority or any employee of the cemetery to which a certification under this subsection applies.
440.92(9)(f)
(f) The religious society that is affiliated with a cemetery to which a certification under this subsection applies is liable for the damages of any person that result from the failure of any employee specified under
par. (b) 2. or the cemetery authority to fully comply with
sub. (2),
(3) (a) or
(b) or
(5) during the 12-month period for which such compliance has been certified under this subsection.
440.92(10)
(10) Exemptions; certain nonprofit cemeteries. This section does not apply to a cemetery authority that is not required to be registered under
s. 440.91 (1) and that is not organized or conducted for pecuniary profit.
440.93
440.93
Disciplinary actions and proceedings. 440.93(1)
(1) The department may reprimand a registrant or deny, limit, suspend or revoke a certificate of a cemetery authority, cemetery salesperson or preneed seller if it finds that the applicant or registrant, or, if the applicant or registrant, is an association, partnership, limited liability company or corporation, any officer, director, trustee, member or shareholder who beneficially owns, holds or has the power to vote 5% or more of any class of security issued by the applicant or registrant, has done any of the following:
440.93(1)(a)
(a) Made a material misstatement in an application for a certificate or for renewal of a certificate.
440.93(1)(b)
(b) Made a substantial misrepresentation or false promise to an individual to influence the individual to purchase a cemetery lot, cemetery merchandise or mausoleum space.
440.93(1)(c)
(c) Engaged in any practice relating to the sale of a cemetery lot, cemetery merchandise or mausoleum space which clearly demonstrates a lack of knowledge or ability to apply professional principles or skills.
440.93(1)(d)
(d) Subject to
ss. 111.321,
111.322 and
111.335, been convicted of an offense the circumstances of which substantially relate to the sale of a cemetery lot, cemetery merchandise or mausoleum space.
440.93(1)(e)
(e) Advertised in a manner that is false, deceptive or misleading.
440.93(1)(f)
(f) Subject to
ss. 111.321,
111.322 and
111.34, engaged in any practice relating to the sale of a cemetery lot, cemetery merchandise or mausoleum space while the person's ability to practice was impaired by alcohol or other drugs.
440.93(1)(g)
(g) Violated this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter.
440.93(2)
(2) The department shall determine in each case the period that a limitation, suspension or revocation of a certificate is effective. This subsection does not apply to a limitation or suspension under
s. 440.13 (2) (a).
440.945
440.945
Cemetery monuments. 440.945(1)(a)
(a) "Installed" means permanently affixed to a cemetery lot.
440.945(1)(b)
(b) "Monument" means any object made of granite, bronze, marble, stone, cement or other permanent material that is installed or intended to be installed to identify or memorialize human remains.
440.945(1)(c)
(c) "Vendor" means a person who sells, delivers, installs or cares for a monument, other than the cemetery authority of the cemetery in which the monument is installed.
440.945(2)
(2) Cemetery authority powers. A cemetery authority may do any of the following:
440.945(2)(a)
(a) Adopt regulations, consistent with this section and with standards that the cemetery authority uses for its own monument installations, prescribing requirements and procedures for the sale, delivery, installation or care of monuments, including requirements that each vendor provide reasonable advance notice to the cemetery authority of the date on which the vendor desires to install a monument; that each vendor carry worker's compensation insurance and a minimum amount of comprehensive general liability insurance, such minimum amount not to exceed $300,000; and that each owner of a cemetery lot pay all fees and other amounts due the cemetery authority to satisfy any encumbrances pertaining to the cemetery lot before a monument is installed.
440.945(2)(b)
(b) Assist a vendor in marking the location for a monument and inspect the installation of the monument to ensure that it is properly installed by the vendor.
440.945(2)(c)
(c) Charge either the owner of a cemetery lot or a vendor a reasonable fee to cover the cemetery authority's labor costs. In this paragraph, "labor costs" means the amount, calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and practices, that is payable to employees of the cemetery authority for wages and fringe benefits for the period that the employees were engaged in marking the location for and inspecting the installation of the monument to ensure that it was properly installed, and may include any general administrative or overhead costs of the cemetery authority or any other costs that are directly related to marking the location for and inspecting the installation of the monument to ensure that it was properly installed.
440.945(3)
(3) Disclosure of information to consumers. 440.945(3)(a)(a) Every cemetery authority shall keep on file and make available for inspection and copying to owners and prospective purchasers of cemetery lots and to other interested persons all of the following information:
440.945(3)(a)1.
1. An itemized list of the amounts charged for any services provided by the cemetery authority relating to the finishing, installation or care of monuments.
440.945(3)(b)
(b) Upon the request of any person who is interested in purchasing a monument from a cemetery authority or a vendor, the cemetery authority or vendor shall provide the person with an itemized list of the amount charged for each finished monument in which the person is interested and for any services that may be provided by the cemetery authority or vendor relating to the installation or care of the monument.
440.945(4)(a)(a) A cemetery authority may not do any of the following:
440.945(4)(a)1.
1. Require the owner or purchaser of a cemetery lot to purchase a monument or services related to the installation of a monument from the cemetery authority.
440.945(4)(a)2.
2. Restrict the right of the owner or purchaser of a cemetery lot to purchase a monument or services related to the installation of a monument from the vendor of his or her choice.
440.945(4)(a)3.
3. Except as provided in
sub. (2) (c), charge the owner or purchaser of a cemetery lot a fee for purchasing a monument or services related to the installation of a monument from a vendor, or charge a vendor a fee for delivering or installing the monument. Nothing in this subdivision shall be construed to prohibit a cemetery authority from charging the owner or purchaser of a cemetery lot a reasonable fee for services relating to the care of a monument.
440.945(4)(a)4.
4. Discriminate against any owner or purchaser of a cemetery lot who has purchased a monument or services related to the installation of a monument from a vendor.
440.945(4)(b)
(b) A vendor may not falsely represent to any person any regulations adopted by a cemetery authority under
sub. (2) (a) or falsely represent to any person the vendor's relationship with a cemetery authority.
440.945(5)(a)(a) If the department has reason to believe that any person is violating this section and that the continuation of that activity might cause injury to the public interest, the department may investigate.
440.945(5)(b)
(b) The department of justice or any district attorney, upon informing the department of justice, may commence an action in circuit court in the name of the state to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction any violation of this section. The court may, prior to entry of final judgment, make such orders or judgments as may be necessary to restore to any person any pecuniary loss suffered because of the acts or practices involved in the action, if proof of such loss is submitted to the satisfaction of the court. The department of justice may subpoena persons and require the production of books and other documents, and may request the department of regulation and licensing to exercise its authority under
par. (a) to aid in the investigation of alleged violations of this section.
440.945(5)(c)
(c) In lieu of instituting or continuing an action under this subsection, the department of justice may accept a written assurance of discontinuance of any act or practice alleged to be a violation of this section from the person who has engaged in the act or practice. An assurance entered into under this paragraph shall not be considered evidence of a violation of this section, but a violation of the assurance shall be treated as a violation of this section.
440.945 History
History: 1989 a. 95;
1989 a. 307 ss.
84,
86; Stats. 1989 s. 440.945.
440.947
440.947
Disclosures and representations for certain sales. 440.947(1)(a)
(a) "Cash advance item" means personal property or a service that is obtained by a person from a 3rd party and that is paid for by the person on behalf of, and subject to reimbursement from, a buyer of a casket, outer burial container or cemetery merchandise from the person. "Cash advance item" includes cemetery or crematory services, pallbearers, public transportation, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians or vocalists, nurses, obituary notices, gratuities and death certificates.
440.947(1)(b)
(b) "Direct cremation service" means the disposition of human remains by cremation without any formal viewing, visitation or ceremony in which the body of the deceased is present.
440.947(1)(d)
(d) "Person" does not include a person issued a funeral director's license under
ch. 445 or an operator of a funeral establishment, as defined in
s. 445.01 (7).
440.947(2)
(2) No person may sell or offer for sale a casket, outer burial container or cemetery merchandise unless the person has provided to the buyer, prior to the sale, a price list in a clearly legible and conspicuous format that includes each of the following:
440.947(2)(a)
(a) The name, address and telephone number of the person's place of business.
440.947(2)(c)
(c) The price and a description of each type of casket, outer burial container and cemetery merchandise that the person usually offers for sale without special ordering. A description required under this paragraph shall enable a buyer to identify and understand the specific casket, outer burial container or cemetery merchandise that is offered for sale.
440.947(2)(d)
(d) If the person usually offers an outer burial container for sale without special ordering, a statement that is identical to the following: "State law does not require that you buy a container to surround the casket in the grave. However, many cemeteries require that you have such a container so that the grave will not sink in. Either a grave liner or a burial vault will satisfy these requirements."
440.947(2)(e)
(e) The price and a description of any direct cremation or burial service offered by the person and, if the person offers direct cremation service, a statement that is identical to the following: "If you want to arrange a direct cremation, you can use an alternative container. Alternative containers encase the body and can be made of materials like fiberboard or composition materials (with or without an outside covering). The containers that we provide are .... [insert a description of the containers offered for direct cremation]."
440.947(2)(f)
(f) The price and a description of any service offered by the person for the use any facilities, equipment or staff related to a viewing, funeral ceremony, memorial service or graveside service.
440.947(2)(g)
(g) The amount and a description of any basic service fee that is charged in addition to any price described under
pars. (c),
(e) or
(f).
440.947(3)
(3) A person who sells a casket, outer burial container or cemetery merchandise shall, immediately after completing the sale, provide the buyer with a form in a clearly legible and conspicuous format that includes each of the following:
440.947(3)(a)
(a) The price and a description of the casket, outer burial container or cemetery merchandise.
440.947(3)(b)
(b) The price and a description of any service specified in
sub. (2) (e) or
(f) that is sold in addition to the casket, outer burial container or cemetery merchandise.
440.947(3)(c)
(c) The amount and a description of any basic service fee that is charged in addition to any price described under
par. (a) or
(b).
440.947(3)(d)
(d) A statement that the buyer may be charged only for the items that he or she has selected or that are required by law and a description and explanation of any items that he or she is required by law to purchase.
440.947(3)(e)
(e) A description of any charge for a cash advance item, including any commission, discount or rebate that the person receives for a cash advance item from the 3rd party from which the cash advance item is obtained and that the person does not pass on to the buyer.
440.947(4)
(4) No person who sells a casket, outer burial container or cemetery merchandise may do any of the following:
440.947(4)(a)
(a) Provide inaccurate information regarding the information specified in
sub. (2) (c),
(e),
(f) or
(g) to a prospective buyer who contacts the person by telephone.
440.947(4)(b)
(b) Represent that state or local law requires a prospective buyer to purchase a casket for a direct cremation service.
