50.065(1)(g)
(g) "Tribe" means a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.
50.065(2)(am)(am) The department shall obtain all of the following with respect to a person specified under
sub. (1) (ag) 1. b. and a person who is a nonclient resident or prospective nonclient resident of an entity:
50.065(2)(am)1.
1. A criminal history search from the records maintained by the department of justice.
50.065(2)(am)3.
3. Information maintained by the department of regulation and licensing regarding the status of the person's credentials, if applicable.
50.065(2)(am)4.
4. Information maintained by the department regarding any substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect against the person.
50.065(2)(am)5.
5. Information maintained by the department under this section regarding any denial to the person of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration or of a continuation of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration to operate an entity for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (a) 1. to
5. and regarding any denial to the person of employment at, a contract with or permission to reside at an entity for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (b) 1. to
5. If the information obtained under this subdivision indicates that the person has been denied a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration, continuation of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration, a contract, employment or permission to reside as described in this subdivision, the department need not obtain the information specified in
subds. 1. to
4.
50.065(2)(b)
(b) Every entity shall obtain all of the following with respect to a caregiver of the entity:
50.065(2)(b)1.
1. A criminal history search from the records maintained by the department of justice.
50.065(2)(b)2.
2. Information that is contained in the registry under
s. 146.40 (4g) regarding any findings against the person.
50.065(2)(b)3.
3. Information maintained by the department of regulation and licensing regarding the status of the person's credentials, if applicable.
50.065(2)(b)4.
4. Information maintained by the department regarding any substantiated reports of child abuse or neglect against the person.
50.065(2)(b)5.
5. Information maintained by the department under this section regarding any denial to the person of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration or of a continuation of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration to operate an entity for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (a) 1. to
5. and regarding any denial to the person of employment at, a contract with or permission to reside at an entity for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (b) 1. to
5. If the information obtained under this subdivision indicates that the person has been denied a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration, continuation of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration, a contract, employment or permission to reside as described in this subdivision, the entity need not obtain the information specified in
subds. 1. to
4.
50.065(2)(bb)
(bb) If information obtained under
par. (am) or
(b) indicates a charge of a serious crime, but does not completely and clearly indicate the final disposition of the charge, the department or entity shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to determine the final disposition of the charge. If a background information form under
sub. (6) (a) or
(am) indicates a charge or a conviction of a serious crime, but information obtained under
par. (am) or
(b) does not indicate such a charge or conviction, the department or entity shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint and the final disposition of the complaint. If information obtained under
par. (am) or
(b), a background information form under
sub. (6) (a) or
(am) or any other information indicates a conviction of a violation of
s. 940.19 (1),
940.195,
940.20,
941.30,
942.08,
947.01 or
947.013 obtained not more than 5 years before the date on which that information was obtained, the department or entity shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint and judgment of conviction relating to that violation.
50.065(2)(bd)
(bd) Notwithstanding
pars. (am) and
(b) 1., the department is not required to obtain the information specified in
par. (am) 1. to
5., and an entity is not required to obtain the information specified in
par. (b) 1. to
5., with respect to a person under 18 years of age whose background information form under
sub. (6) (am) indicates that the person is not ineligible to be employed, contracted with or permitted to reside at an entity for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (b) 1. to
5. and with respect to whom the department or entity otherwise has no reason to believe that the person is ineligible to be employed, contracted with or permitted to reside at an entity for any of those reasons. This paragraph does not preclude the department from obtaining, at its discretion, the information specified in
par. (am) 1. to
5. with respect to a person described in this paragraph who is a nonclient resident or a prospective nonclient resident of an entity.
50.065(2)(bg)
(bg) If an entity hires or contracts with a caregiver for whom, within the last 4 years, the information required under
par. (b) 1. to
3. and
5. has already been obtained by another entity, the entity may obtain that information from that other entity, which shall provide the information, if possible, to the requesting entity. If an entity cannot obtain the information required under
par. (b) 1. to
3. and
5. from another entity or if an entity has reasonable grounds to believe that any information obtained from another entity is no longer accurate, the entity shall obtain that information from the sources specified in
par. (b) 1. to
3. and
5.
50.065(2)(bm)
(bm) If the person who is the subject of the search under
par. (am) or
(b)is not a resident of this state, or if at any time within the 3 years preceding the date of the search that person has not been a resident of this state, or if the department or entity determines that the person's employment, licensing or state court records provide a reasonable basis for further investigation, the department or entity shall make a good faith effort to obtain from any state or other United States jurisdiction in which the person is a resident or was a resident within the 3 years preceding the date of the search information that is equivalent to the information specified in
par. (am) 1. or
(b) 1. The department or entity may require the person to be fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards, each bearing a complete set of the person's fingerprints. The department of justice may provide for the submission of the fingerprint cards to the federal bureau of investigation for the purposes of verifying the identity of the person fingerprinted and obtaining records of his or her criminal arrests and convictions.
50.065(2)(d)
(d) Every entity shall maintain, or shall contract with another person to maintain, the most recent background information obtained on a caregiver under
par. (b). The information shall be made available for inspection by authorized persons, as defined by the department by rule.
50.065(3)(a)(a) Every 4 years or at any time within that period that the department considers appropriate, the department shall request the information specified in
sub. (2) (am) 1. to
5. for all persons who are licensed to operate an entity and for all persons who are nonclient residents of an entity.
50.065(3)(b)
(b) Every 4 years or at any other time within that period that an entity considers appropriate, the entity shall request the information specified in
sub. (2) (b) 1. to
5. for all caregivers of the entity.
50.065(3m)
(3m) Notwithstanding
subs. (2) (b) and
(3) (b), if the department obtains the information required under
sub. (2) (am) or
(3) (a) with respect to a person who is a caregiver specified under
sub. (1) (ag) 1. b. and that person is also an employee, contractor or nonclient resident of the entity, the entity is not required to obtain the information specified in
sub. (2) (b) or
(3) (b) with respect to that person.
50.065(4)
(4) An entity that violates
sub. (2),
(3) or
(4m) (b) may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000 and may be subject to other sanctions specified by the department by rule.
50.065(4m)(a)(a) Notwithstanding
s. 111.335, and except as provided in
sub. (5), the department may not license, certify, issue a certificate of approval to or register a person to operate an entity or continue the license, certification, certificate of approval or registration of a person to operate an entity if the department knows or should have known any of the following:
50.065(4m)(a)3.
3. That a unit of government or a state agency, as defined in
s. 16.61 (2) (d), has made a finding that the person has abused or neglected any client or misappropriated the property of any client.
50.065(4m)(a)5.
5. That, in the case of a position for which the person must be credentialed by the department of regulation and licensing, the person's credential is not current or is limited so as to restrict the person from providing adequate care to a client.
50.065(4m)(b)
(b) Notwithstanding
s. 111.335, and except as provided in
sub. (5), an entity may not employ or contract with a caregiver or permit to reside at the entity a nonclient resident, if the entity knows or should have known any of the following:
50.065(4m)(b)3.
3. That a unit of government or a state agency, as defined in
s. 16.61 (2) (d), has made a finding that the person has abused or neglected any client or misappropriated the property of any client.
50.065(4m)(b)5.
5. That, in the case of a position for which the person must be credentialed by the department of regulation and licensing, the person's credential is not current or is limited so as to restrict the person from providing adequate care to a client.
50.065(4m)(c)
(c) If the background information form completed by a person under
sub. (6) (am) indicates that the person is not ineligible to be employed or contracted with for a reason specified in
par. (b) 1. to
5., an entity may employ or contract with the person for not more than 60 days pending the receipt of the information sought under
sub. (2) (b). If the background information form completed by a person under
sub. (6) (am) indicates that the person is not ineligible to be permitted to reside at an entity for a reason specified in
par. (b) 1. to
5. and if an entity otherwise has no reason to believe that the person is ineligible to be permitted to reside at an entity for any of those reasons, the entity may permit the person to reside at the entity for not more than 60 days pending receipt of the information sought under
sub. (2) (am). An entity shall provide supervision for a person who is employed or contracted with or permitted to reside as permitted under this paragraph.
50.065(5)
(5) The department may license, certify, issue a certificate of approval to or register to operate an entity a person who otherwise may not be licensed, certified, issued a certificate of approval or registered for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (a) 1. to
5., and an entity may employ, contract with or permit to reside at the entity a person who otherwise may not be employed, contracted with or permitted to reside at the entity for a reason specified in
sub. (4m) (b) 1. to
5., if the person demonstrates to the department, or, in the case of an entity that is located within the boundaries of a reservation, to the person or body designated by the tribe under
sub. (5d) (a) 3., by clear and convincing evidence and in accordance with procedures established by the department by rule, or by the tribe, that he or she has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5c)
(5c) Any person who is permitted but fails under
sub. (5) to demonstrate to the department that he or she has been rehabilitated may appeal to the secretary of health and family services or his or her designee. Any person who is adversely affected by a decision of the secretary or his or her designee under this subsection has a right to a contested case hearing under
ch. 227.
50.065(5d)(a)(a) Any tribe that chooses to conduct rehabilitation reviews under
sub. (5) shall submit to the department a rehabilitation review plan that includes all of the following:
50.065(5d)(a)1.
1. The criteria to be used to determine if a person has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5d)(a)2.
2. The title of the person or body designated by the tribe to whom a request for review must be made.
50.065(5d)(a)3.
3. The title of the person or body designated by the tribe to determine whether a person has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5d)(a)3m.
3m. The title of the person or body designated by the tribe to whom a person may appeal an adverse decision made by the person specified under
subd. 3. and whether the tribe provides any further rights of appeal.
50.065(5d)(a)4.
4. The manner in which the tribe will submit information relating to a rehabilitation review to the department so that the department may include that information in its report to the legislature required under
sub. (5g).
50.065(5d)(a)5.
5. A copy of the form to be used to request a review and a copy of the form on which a written decision is to be made regarding whether a person has demonstrated rehabilitation.
50.065(5d)(b)
(b) If, within 90 days after receiving the plan, the department does not disapprove the plan, the plan shall be considered approved. If, within 90 days after receiving the plan, the department disapproves the plan, the department shall provide notice of that disapproval to the tribe in writing, together with the reasons for the disapproval. The department may not disapprove a plan unless the department finds that the plan is not rationally related to the protection of clients. If the department disapproves the plan, the tribe may, within 30 days after receiving notice of the disapproval, request that the secretary review the department's decision. A final decision under this paragraph is not subject to further review under
ch. 227.
50.065(5g)
(5g) Beginning on January 1, 1999, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit a report to the legislature under
s. 13.172 (2) that specifies the number of persons in the previous year who have requested to demonstrate to the department that they have been rehabilitated under
sub. (5), the number of persons who successfully demonstrated that they have been rehabilitated under
sub. (5) and the reasons for the success or failure of a person who has attempted to demonstrate that he or she has been rehabilitated.
50.065(5m)
(5m) Notwithstanding
s. 111.335, the department may refuse to license, certify or register, or issue a certificate of approval to, a caregiver and an entity may refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or to permit a nonclient resident to reside at the entity, if the caregiver or nonclient resident has been convicted of an offense that is not a serious crime, but that is, in the estimation of the department or entity, substantially related to the care of a client.
50.065(6)(a)(a) The department shall require any person who applies for issuance or continuation of a license, certification, certificate of approval or registration to operate an entity to complete a background information form that is provided by the department.
50.065(6)(am)
(am) Every 4 years an entity shall require its caregivers and nonclient residents to complete a background information form that is provided to the entity by the department.
50.065(6)(b)
(b) For caregivers who are licensed, issued a certificate of approval or certified by, or registered with, the department, for nonclient residents, and for other persons specified by the department by rule, the entity shall send the background information form to the department.
50.065(6)(c)
(c) A person who provides false information on a background information form required under this subsection may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000 and may be subject to other sanctions specified by the department by rule.
50.065(7)
(7) The department shall do all of the following:
50.065(7)(c)
(c) Conduct throughout the state periodic training sessions that cover criminal background investigations; reporting and investigating misappropriation of property or abuse or neglect of a client; and any other material that will better enable entities to comply with the requirements of this section.
50.065(7)(d)
(d) Provide a background information form that requires the person completing the form to include his or her date of birth on the form.
50.065(8)
(8) The department may charge a fee for obtaining the information required under
sub. (2) (am) or
(3) (a) or for providing information to an entity to enable the entity to comply with
sub. (2) (b) or
(3) (b). The fee may not exceed the reasonable cost of obtaining the information. No fee may be charged to a nurse's assistant, as defined in
s. 146.40 (1) (d), for obtaining or maintaining the information if to do so would be inconsistent with federal law.
50.07
50.07
Prohibited acts. 50.07(1)(a)
(a) Intentionally fail to correct or interfere with the correction of a class "A" or class "B" violation within the time specified on the notice of violation or approved plan of correction under
s. 50.04 as the maximum period given for correction, unless an extension is granted and the corrections are made before expiration of extension.
50.07(1)(b)
(b) Intentionally prevent, interfere with, or attempt to impede in any way the work of any duly authorized representative of the department in the investigation and enforcement of any provision of this subchapter.
50.07(1)(c)
(c) Intentionally prevent or attempt to prevent any such representative from examining any relevant books or records in the conduct of official duties under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(d)
(d) Intentionally prevent or interfere with any such representative in the preserving of evidence of any violation of any of the provisions of this subchapter or the rules promulgated under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(e)
(e) Intentionally retaliate or discriminate against any resident or employee for contacting or providing information to any state official, including any representative of the office of the long-term care ombudsman under
s. 16.009 (4), or for initiating, participating in, or testifying in an action for any remedy authorized under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(em)
(em) Intentionally retaliate or discriminate against any resident or employee on whose behalf another person contacted or provided information to any state official, including any representative of the office of the long-term care ombudsman under
s. 16.009 (4), or initiated, participated in or testified in an action for any remedy authorized under this subchapter.
50.07(1)(f)
(f) Intentionally destroy, change or otherwise modify an inspector's original report.
50.07(2)
(2) Violators of this section may be imprisoned up to 6 months or fined not more than $1,000 or both for each violation.
50.07(3)(b)(b) Any employee who is discharged or otherwise retaliated or discriminated against in violation of
sub. (1) (e) or
(em) may file a complaint with the department of workforce development under
s. 106.54 (5).
50.07(3)(c)
(c) Any person not described in
par. (b) who is retaliated or discriminated against in violation of
sub. (1) (e) or
(em) may commence an action in circuit court for damages incurred as a result of the violation.
50.07 Annotation
Sub. (1) (e) does not provide a remedy to a terminated employee and does not prevent a private action for wrongful termination to an employee who reports abuse. There is a public policy exception to the employment-at-will doctrine in this case. Hausman v. St. Croix Care Center, Inc.
214 Wis. 2d 654,
571 N.W.2d 393 (1997).
50.07 Annotation
This section is similar to a patient's bill of rights. Sub. (1) (e) protects both patients and employees. An insurance policy providing coverage to a nursing home for personal injuries interfering with rights provided by a patient's bill of rights was applicable to a wrongful discharge claim alleging interference with the plaintiff's rights under sub. (1) (e). St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. v. Hausman,
231 Wis. 2d 25,
604 N.W.2d 908 (Ct. App. 1999).
50.09
50.09
Rights of residents in certain facilities. 50.09(1)
(1)
Residents' rights. Every resident in a nursing home or community-based residential facility shall, except as provided in
sub. (5), have the right to:
50.09(1)(a)
(a) Private and unrestricted communications with the resident's family, physician, attorney and any other person, unless medically contraindicated as documented by the resident's physician in the resident's medical record, except that communications with public officials or with the resident's attorney shall not be restricted in any event. The right to private and unrestricted communications shall include, but is not limited to, the right to:
50.09(1)(a)1.
1. Receive, send and mail sealed, unopened correspondence, and no resident's incoming or outgoing correspondence shall be opened, delayed, held or censored.
50.09(1)(a)2.
2. Reasonable access to a telephone for private communications.
50.09(1)(b)
(b) Present grievances on the resident's own behalf or others to the facility's staff or administrator, to public officials or to any other person without justifiable fear of reprisal, and to join with other residents or individuals within or outside of the facility to work for improvements in resident care.
50.09(1)(c)
(c) Manage the resident's own financial affairs, including any personal allowances under federal or state programs, unless the resident delegates, in writing, such responsibility to the facility and the facility accepts the responsibility or unless the resident delegates to someone else of the resident's choosing and that person accepts the responsibility. The resident shall receive, upon written request by the resident or guardian, a written monthly account of any financial transactions made by the facility under such a delegation of responsibility.
50.09(1)(d)
(d) Be fully informed, in writing, prior to or at the time of admission of all services included in the per diem rate, other services available, the charges for such services, and be informed, in writing, during the resident's stay of any changes in services available or in charges for services.
50.09(1)(e)
(e) Be treated with courtesy, respect and full recognition of the resident's dignity and individuality, by all employees of the facility and licensed, certified or registered providers of health care and pharmacists with whom the resident comes in contact.
50.09(1)(f)
(f) Physical and emotional privacy in treatment, living arrangements and in caring for personal needs, including, but not limited to:
50.09(1)(f)1.
1. Privacy for visits by spouse. If both spouses are residents of the same facility, they shall be permitted to share a room unless medically contraindicated as documented by the resident's physician in the resident's medical record.
50.09(1)(f)2.
2. Privacy concerning health care. Case discussion, consultation, examination and treatment are confidential and shall be conducted discreetly. Persons not directly involved in the resident's care shall require the resident's permission to authorize their presence.
50.09(1)(f)3.
3. Confidentiality of health and personal records, and the right to approve or refuse their release to any individual outside the facility, except in the case of the resident's transfer to another facility or as required by law or 3rd-party payment contracts and except as provided in
s. 146.82 (2) and
(3).
