895.42(1)(b)2.
2. That the money or other personal property, including any legacy or share of intestate property, cannot be delivered to the person entitled to the money or property because the person is a member of the military or naval forces of the United States or any of its allies or is engaged in any of the armed forces abroad or with the American Red Cross society or other body or similar business.
895.42(1)(c)
(c) Any officer depositing money or property with a trust company under
par. (b), shall take the trust company's receipt for the deposit. The receipt shall, to the extent of the deposit, constitute a complete discharge of the officer in any accounting made by the officer in the proceeding.
895.42(2)
(2) In case such deposit is directed to be made, the court shall require the trust company or bank in which said deposit is ordered to be made, as a condition of the receipt thereof, to accept and handle, manage and invest the same as trust funds to the same extent as if it had received the same as a testamentary trust, unless the court shall expressly otherwise direct, except that the reports shall be made to the court of its appointment.
895.42(3)
(3) No distribution of the moneys or personal property so deposited shall be made by the depository as such trustee or otherwise without an order of the court on notice as prescribed by
s. 879.03, and the jurisdiction of the court in the proceeding will be continued to determine, at any time at the instance of any party interested, the ownership of said funds, and to order their distribution.
895.43
895.43
Intentional killing by beneficiary of contract. The rights of a beneficiary of a contractual arrangement who kills the principal obligee under the contractual arrangement are governed by
s. 854.14.
895.435
895.435
Intentional killing by beneficiary of certain death benefits. The rights of a beneficiary to receive benefits payable by reason of the death of an individual killed by the beneficiary are governed by
s. 854.14.
895.437
895.437
Use of lodging establishments. 895.437(2)
(2) Any person who procures lodging in a lodging establishment and permits or fails to take action to prevent any of the following activities from occurring in the lodging establishment is subject to the penalties provided in
sub. (5):
895.437(2)(a)
(a) Consumption of an alcohol beverage by any underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age.
895.437(2)(b)
(b) Illegal use of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog.
895.437(3)
(3) An owner or employee of a lodging establishment may deny lodging to an adult if the owner or employee reasonably believes that consumption of an alcohol beverage by an underage person not accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or spouse who has attained the legal drinking age, or illegal use of a controlled substance or controlled substance analog, may occur in the area of the lodging establishment procured.
895.437(4)
(4) An owner or employee of a lodging establishment may require a cash deposit or use of a credit card at the time of application for lodging.
895.437(5)
(5) A person who violates
sub. (2) or a local ordinance which strictly conforms to
sub. (2) shall forfeit:
895.437(5)(a)
(a) Not more than $500 if the person has not committed a previous violation within 12 months of the violation; or
895.437(5)(b)
(b) Not less than $200 nor more than $500 if the person has committed a previous violation within 12 months of the violation.
895.44
895.44
Exemption from civil liability for furnishing safety inspection or advisory services. The furnishing of, or failure to furnish, safety inspection or advisory services intended to reduce the likelihood of injury, death or loss shall not subject a state officer, employee or agent, or an insurer, the insurer's agent or employee undertaking to perform such services as an incident to insurance, to liability for damages from injury, death or loss occurring as a result of any act or omission in the course of the safety inspection or advisory services. This section shall not apply if the active negligence of the state officer, employee or agent, or of the insurer, the insurer's agent or employee created the condition that was the proximate cause of injury, death or loss. This section shall not apply to an insurer, the insurer's agent or employee performing the safety inspection or advisory services when required to do so under the provisions of a written service contract.
895.44 History
History: 1991 a. 39.
895.44 Annotation
A "written service contract" is a contract that obligates the insurer to provide loss control services to an insured. Samuels Recycling Co. v. CNA Insurance Cos.
223 Wis. 2d 233,
588 N.W.2d 385 (Ct. App. 1998).
895.46
895.46
State and political subdivisions thereof to pay judgments taken against officers. 895.46(1)(a)(a) If the defendant in any action or special proceeding is a public officer or employee and is proceeded against in an official capacity or is proceeded against as an individual because of acts committed while carrying out duties as an officer or employee and the jury or the court finds that the defendant was acting within the scope of employment, the judgment as to damages and costs entered against the officer or employee in excess of any insurance applicable to the officer or employee shall be paid by the state or political subdivision of which the defendant is an officer or employee. Agents of any department of the state shall be covered by this section while acting within the scope of their agency. Regardless of the results of the litigation the governmental unit, if it does not provide legal counsel to the defendant officer or employee, shall pay reasonable attorney fees and costs of defending the action, unless it is found by the court or jury that the defendant officer or employee did not act within the scope of employment. The duty of a governmental unit to provide or pay for the provision of legal representation does not apply to the extent that applicable insurance provides that representation. If the employing state agency or the attorney general denies that the state officer, employee or agent was doing any act growing out of or committed in the course of the discharge of his or her duties, the attorney general may appear on behalf of the state to contest that issue without waiving the state's sovereign immunity to suit. Failure by the officer or employee to give notice to his or her department head of an action or special proceeding commenced against the defendant officer or employee as soon as reasonably possible is a bar to recovery by the officer or employee from the state or political subdivision of reasonable attorney fees and costs of defending the action. The attorney fees and expenses shall not be recoverable if the state or political subdivision offers the officer or employee legal counsel and the offer is refused by the defendant officer or employee. If the officer, employee or agent of the state refuses to cooperate in the defense of the litigation, the officer, employee or agent is not eligible for any indemnification or for the provision of legal counsel by the governmental unit under this section.
895.46(1)(am)
(am) If a court determines that costs are awardable to an employee or official who has been provided representation by a governmental unit under
par. (a), the court shall award those costs to the unit of government that provided the representation.
895.46(1)(b)
(b) Persons holding the office of county sheriff on March 1, 1983, are covered by this subsection. This subsection covers other county sheriffs who have:
895.46(1)(b)1.
1. Satisfactorily completed or are currently enrolled in the preparatory program of law enforcement training under
s. 165.85 (4) (b) 1. and, if applicable, the recertification programs under
s. 165.85 (4) (bn) 1., or have provided evidence of equivalent law enforcement training and experience as determined by the law enforcement standards board; or
895.46(1)(c)
(c) This subsection does not apply to any action or special proceeding brought by a county against its county sheriff if the action or proceeding is determined in favor of the county.
895.46(1)(d)
(d) On and after March 1, 1983, all persons employed as deputy sheriffs, as defined in
s. 40.02 (48) (b) 3., are covered by this subsection. The county board shall adopt written policies for payments under this subsection on behalf of any other person, provided that person has satisfied the minimum standards of the law enforcement standards board, who serves at the discretion of the sheriff as a law enforcement officer as defined in
s. 165.85 (2) (c), and the county may make the payments upon approval by the county board.
895.46(1)(e)
(e) Any nonprofit corporation operating a museum under a lease agreement with the state historical society, and all officers, directors, employees and agents of such a corporation, and any local emergency planning committee appointed by a county board under
s. 59.54 (8) (a) and all members of such a committee, are state officers, employees or agents for the purposes of this subsection.
895.46(2)
(2) Any town officer held personally liable for reimbursement of any public funds paid out in good faith pursuant to the directions of electors at any annual or special town meeting shall be reimbursed by the town for the amount of the judgment for damages and costs entered against the town officer.
895.46(3)
(3) The protection afforded by this section shall apply to any state officer, employee or agent while operating a state-owned vehicle for personal use in accordance with
s. 20.916 (7).
895.46(4)
(4) The protection afforded by this section applies to members of the board of governors created under
s. 619.04 (3), members of a committee or subcommittee of that board of governors, members of the injured patients and families compensation fund peer review council created under
s. 655.275 (2), and persons consulting with that council under
s. 655.275 (5) (b), with respect to judgments, attorney fees, and costs awarded before, on, or after April 25, 1990.
895.46(5)
(5) The protection afforded by this section applies to any of the following:
895.46(5)(a)
(a) A volunteer health care provider who provides services under
s. 146.89, for the provision of those services.
895.46(6)
(6) The protection afforded by this section applies to any criminal action under
s. 291.97 (2) or
293.87 (2) or under
7 USC 136L (b),
15 USC 2616 (b),
33 USC 1319 (c),
42 USC 2284,
6928 (d) and (e),
6973 (b),
6992 (b) and (c),
7413 (c),
9603 (b),
9606 (b) and
11045 (b) or
49 USC 5124 that is commenced against a state officer or state employee who is proceeded against in his or her official capacity or as an individual because of acts committed in the storage, transportation, treatment or disposal of hazardous substances, as defined in
s. 289.01 (11), if that officer or employee is found to be acting within the scope of his or her employment and if the attorney general determines that the state officer or state employee acted in good faith. Regardless of the determination made by the attorney general, the protection afforded by this section applies if the state officer or agent is not found guilty of the criminal action commenced under this subsection. This protection includes the payment of reasonable attorney fees in defending the action and costs or fines arising out of the action.
895.46(7)
(7) The protection afforded by this section does not apply to any law enforcement officer of another state acting in Wisconsin under an agreement authorized under
s. 175.46.
895.46(8)
(8) The protection afforded by this section applies to any owner of land within a drainage district established under
ch. 88 who undertakes work on a drain if the work is approved by the drainage board.
895.46 History
History: 1973 c. 333; Sup. Ct. Order,
67 Wis. 2d 585, 761 (1975); Stats. 1975 s. 895.45;
1975 c. 81,
198,
199; Stats. 1975 s. 895.46;
1977 c. 29;
1979 c. 74,
221;
1981 c. 20;
1981 c. 96 s.
67;
1981 c. 314 s.
136;
1983 a. 6;
1983 a. 27 s.
2202 (32);
1985 a. 29,
66;
1987 a. 342;
1987 a. 403 s.
256;
1989 a. 31,
115,
187,
206,
359;
1991 a. 245,
269;
1993 a. 27,
28,
49,
238,
456,
490;
1995 a. 201,
227,
411;
1997 a. 35;
1999 a. 185;
2003 a. 111.
895.46 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See s.
775.06 for special procedure applying to state law enforcement officers.
895.46 Annotation
Highway commission supervisors who are responsible for the placement of highway warning signs may be sued if a sign is not placed in accordance with commission rules. They cannot claim the state's immunity from suit. Chart v. Dvorak,
57 Wis. 2d 92,
203 N.W.2d 673 (1973).
895.46 Annotation
"Litigation" under sub. (1) refers only to civil proceedings. Bablitch & Bablitch v. Lincoln County,
82 Wis. 2d 574,
263 N.W.2d 218 (1978).
895.46 Annotation
Mandatory payment under sub. (1) did not apply to an official who was sued for illegally retaining his salary due to an alleged failure to comply with the statutory requirements for a bond and oath of office. The official was not acting in his official capacity when filing the bond or taking the oath or in defending a related suit. Thuermer v. Village of Mishicot,
86 Wis. 2d 374,
272 N.W.2d 409 (Ct. App. 1978).
895.46 Annotation
An insurer of public employees had no right of recovery under s. 270.58 (1) [now s. 895.46 (1)] Horace Mann Insurance Co. v. Wauwatosa Board of Education,
88 Wis. 2d 385,
276 N.W.2d 761 (1979).
895.46 Annotation
The state could not be sued as an indemnitor under s. 270.58 (1) [now s. 895.46 (1)]. Fiala v. Voight,
93 Wis. 2d 337,
286 N.W.2d 824 (1980).
895.46 Annotation
The state may not be sued directly for the tortious acts of its employees. Miller v. Smith,
100 Wis. 2d 609,
302 N.W.2d 468 (1981).
895.46 Annotation
The "color of law" element of 42 USC 1983 lawsuit is not identical to the "scope of employment" element under sub. (1). Cameron v. Milwaukee,
102 Wis. 2d 448,
307 N.W.2d 164 (1981).
895.46 Annotation
Whether alderpersons were acting within the scope of their employment was inappropriately decided by summary judgment. Schroeder v. Schoessow,
108 Wis. 2d 49,
321 N.W.2d 131 (1982).
895.46 Annotation
Once a governmental unit decides to provide counsel, it must provide complete and full representation on all issues. Beane v. City of Sturgeon Bay,
112 Wis. 2d 609,
334 N.W.2d 235 (1983).
895.46 Annotation
Sub. (1) applied to a forfeiture action against a police officer. Crawford v. City of Ashland,
134 Wis. 2d 369,
396 N.W.2d 781 (Ct. App. 1986).
895.46 Annotation
"Any action" in sub. (1) (a) means a trial in which the issue of "scope of employment" is essential and evidence on the issue is introduced and argued. Desotelle v. Continental Cas. Co.
136 Wis. 2d 13,
400 N.W.2d 524 (Ct. App. 1986).
895.46 Annotation
In "scope of employment" cases under sub. (1) (a), consideration must be given to whether the employee was "actuated," in some measure, by a purpose to serve the employer. Olson v. Connerly,
156 Wis. 2d 488,
457 N.W.2d 479 (1990).
895.46 Annotation
A former school employee sued by the school district over her employment contract was not entitled to costs under sub. (1) (a). Pardeeville Area School District v. Bomber,
214 Wis. 2d 396,
571 N.W.2d 189 (Ct. App. 1997).
895.46 Annotation
Voting members of a commission created by 2 villages were public officers protected by s. 895.46 (1).
74 Atty. Gen. 208.
895.46 Annotation
Sections 895.35 and 895.46 apply to actions for open meetings law violations to the same extent that they apply to other actions against public officers and employees, except that public officials cannot be reimbursed for forfeitures they are ordered to pay for violating the open meetings law.
77 Atty. Gen. 177.
895.46 Annotation
The University of Wisconsin has no authority to agree to hold harmless a county that incurs liability because of a university officer's torts, but common law would require the officer to indemnify the county and statutory indemnification would require the state to indemnify the officer when acting in the scope of employment.
78 Atty. Gen. 1.
895.46 Annotation
State Emergency Response Board Committee and Local Emergency Planning Committee subcommittee members appointed by a county board are entitled to indemnity for damage liability under s. 895.46 and legal representation by the attorney general under s. 165.25.
81 Atty. Gen. 17.
895.46 Annotation
This section may require indemnification for actions that are not intended to benefit the employer when those actions further the objectives of employment. Hibma v. Odegaard,
769 F.2d 1147 (1985).
895.46 Annotation
Section 893.80 (4) bars direct suits against municipalities for the torts of their employees. It does not preclude suing the officer directly and using s. 895.46 to indirectly recover from the municipality. Graham v. Sauk Prairie Police Commission.
915 F.2d 1085 (1990).
895.46 Annotation
Sub. (1) does not prevent a state official from asserting "good faith" as a defense to a charge of infringement of civil rights. Clarke v. Cady,
358 F. Supp. 1156 (1973).
895.46 Annotation
The purpose of this section is not to transform any suit against a state employee into a suit against state, but to shield state employees from monetary loss in tort suits. Ware v. Percy,
468 F. Supp. 1266 (1979).
895.46 Annotation
A county could not be held liable for a civil rights judgment against a county judge when the judgment held that the judge was not carrying out duties of the office at the relevant time. Harris v. County of Racine,
512 F. Supp. 1273 (1981).
895.46 Annotation
If an employee is part of an inter-municipal team under s. 66.305 [now s. 66.0313], the agency requesting the team's services is the de facto employer for purposes of indemnification under this section. Leibenstein v. Crowe,
826 F. Supp. 1174 (1992).
895.46 Annotation
A sheriff represents the county when enforcing the law. Sovereign immunity for state officials under the 11th amendment to the U.S. constitution does not apply. Abraham v. Piechowski,
13 F. Supp. 2d 1023 (1998).
895.47
895.47
Indemnification of the Wisconsin State Agencies Building Corporation and the Wisconsin State Public Building Corporation. If the Wisconsin State Agencies Building Corporation or the Wisconsin State Public Building Corporation is the defendant in an action or special proceeding in its capacity as owner of facilities occupied by any department or agents of any department of state government, the judgment as to damages and costs shall be paid by the state from the appropriation made under
s. 20.865 (1) (fm). The state, when it does not provide legal counsel to the defendant, its members, officers or employees, shall pay reasonable attorney fees and costs of defending the action regardless of the results of the litigation, unless the court or jury finds that the member, officer or employee did not act within the scope of that person's employment. Failure by the defendant to give notice to the department of justice of an action or special proceeding commenced against it, its members, officers or employees as soon as reasonably possible shall bar recovery by the defendant, its members, officers or employees from the state under this section. Attorney fees and expenses may not be recovered if the state offers the member, officer or employee legal counsel and the offer is refused.
895.47 History
History: 1977 c. 344,
447.
895.48
895.48
Civil liability exemption; emergency care, athletic events health care, hazardous substances and information concerning paternity. 895.48(1)
(1) Any person who renders emergency care at the scene of any emergency or accident in good faith shall be immune from civil liability for his or her acts or omissions in rendering such emergency care. This immunity does not extend when employees trained in health care or health care professionals render emergency care for compensation and within the scope of their usual and customary employment or practice at a hospital or other institution equipped with hospital facilities, at the scene of any emergency or accident, enroute to a hospital or other institution equipped with hospital facilities or at a physician's office.
895.48(1m)
(1m) Any physician or athletic trainer licensed under
ch. 448, chiropractor licensed under
ch. 446, dentist licensed under
ch. 447, emergency medical technician licensed under
s. 146.50, first responder certified under
s. 146.50 (8), physician assistant licensed under
ch. 448, registered nurse licensed under
ch. 441, or a massage therapist or bodyworker issued a certificate under
ch. 460 who renders voluntary health care to a participant in an athletic event or contest sponsored by a nonprofit corporation, as defined in
s. 66.0129 (6) (b), a private school, as defined in
s. 115.001 (3r), a public agency, as defined in
s. 46.856 (1) (b), or a school, as defined in
s. 609.655 (1) (c), is immune from civil liability for his or her acts or omissions in rendering that care if all of the following conditions exist:
895.48(1m)(a)
(a) The health care is rendered at the site of the event or contest, during transportation to a health care facility from the event or contest, or in a locker room or similar facility immediately before, during or immediately after the event or contest.
895.48(1m)(b)
(b) The physician, athletic trainer, chiropractor, dentist, emergency medical technician, first responder, physician assistant, registered nurse, massage therapist or bodyworker does not receive compensation for the health care, other than reimbursement for expenses.
895.48(2)(a)3.
3. "Hazardous substance prediction" means any declaration or estimate of the likely spread or impact of an actual discharge of a hazardous substance that is based on meteorological, mathematical, computer or similar models.
895.48(2)(a)4.
4. "Hazardous substance predictor" means any person who makes a hazardous substance prediction pursuant to a contract or agreement with a public agency or pursuant to a contract or agreement with a person who possesses or controls hazardous substances for the purpose of assisting that person in supplying a public agency with a hazardous substance prediction in the event of an actual discharge of a hazardous substance.
895.48(2)(b)
(b) Any person is immune from civil liability for his or her good faith acts or omissions related to assistance or advice which the person provides relating to an emergency or a potential emergency regarding either of the following:
895.48(2)(b)1.
1. Mitigating or attempting to mitigate the effects of an actual or threatened discharge of a hazardous substance.
895.48(2)(b)2.
2. Preventing or cleaning up or attempting to prevent or clean up an actual or threatened discharge of a hazardous substance.
