440.92(2)(a)4.a.
a. At the time that the preneed sales contract is entered into, the preneed seller shall provide the purchaser with the name, address and telephone number of the warehouse and inform the purchaser that the warehouse is approved by the board.
440.92(2)(a)4.b.
b. If the name, address, telephone number or approval status of the warehouse changes before the cemetery merchandise is delivered, the preneed seller or warehouse shall notify the purchaser in writing of each change within 30 days after the change.
440.92(2)(a)4.c.
c. The preneed sales contract shall provide for the cemetery merchandise to be delivered within 30 days after the purchaser or beneficiary requests the preneed seller or warehouse to deliver the cemetery merchandise and shall contain the procedure and any requirements for making the request.
440.92(2)(am)
(am) If a preneed sales contract for the sale of cemetery merchandise requires the preneed seller to ultimately affix the cemetery merchandise to a cemetery lot, mausoleum or other location but the purchaser has not informed the preneed seller of the location where the cemetery merchandise is to be affixed and the location where the cemetery merchandise is to be affixed is not specified in the preneed sales contract, the preneed sales contract may provide that the preneed seller may charge the purchaser an additional fee at the time that the cemetery merchandise is affixed not to exceed the additional costs to the preneed seller that are necessitated by the purchaser's choice of location.
440.92(2)(b)
(b) If a preneed sales contract does not require the preneed seller to deliver cemetery merchandise by one of the methods under
par. (a), the preneed seller shall deliver the cemetery merchandise under
par. (a) 2.
440.92(2)(c)
(c) Except as provided in
par. (cm), a preneed sales contract shall provide that if the purchaser voids the preneed sales contract at any time within 10 days after the date of the initial payment the preneed seller shall, within 30 days after the date on which the preneed sales contract is voided, refund all money paid by the purchaser for cemetery merchandise that has not been supplied or delivered and for the mausoleum space.
440.92(2)(cm)
(cm) If a preneed sales contract for the sale of cemetery merchandise requires the preneed seller to physically alter any cemetery merchandise, the preneed sales contract shall provide that if the purchaser voids the preneed sales contract at any time before the preneed seller has physically altered the cemetery merchandise in a manner or to a degree that makes the fair market value of the cemetery merchandise to the general public lower than the sale price of the cemetery merchandise under the preneed sales contract or within 10 days after the date of the initial payment, whichever occurs first, the preneed seller shall, within 30 days after the date on which the preneed sales contract is voided, refund all money paid by the purchaser for cemetery merchandise that has not been supplied or delivered.
440.92(2)(d)
(d) A preneed seller may not sell any undeveloped space unless the plans for the construction of the mausoleum have been submitted to the department of safety and professional services for approval under
s. 157.12 (2) (a) and the preneed sales contract includes the following language in not less than 10-point boldface type: "THE PLANS FOR CONSTRUCTING THE MAUSOLEUM SPACE HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FOR APPROVAL. THE SELLER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL COSTS REQUIRED TO OBTAIN APPROVAL OF THE PLANS BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, COMPLETE THE CONSTRUCTION, AND OBTAIN CERTIFICATION OF THE CONSTRUCTION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES."
440.92(2)(e)
(e) A preneed sales contract for the sale of an undeveloped space shall provide that the purchaser may void the preneed sales contract if any of the following conditions applies:
440.92(2)(e)2.
2. The construction of the mausoleum does not begin within 3 years after the date of the sale.
440.92(2)(e)3.
3. If the mausoleum is a public mausoleum, the construction of the mausoleum is not certified under
s. 157.12 (2) (b) within 6 years after the date of the sale.
440.92(2)(f)
(f) If a preneed sales contract is voided under
par. (e), the preneed seller shall, within 30 days after the date on which the preneed sales contract is voided, refund all money paid by the purchaser, together with interest calculated at the legal rate of interest as provided under
s. 138.04.
440.92(2)(g)
(g) A preneed seller may include in a preneed sales contract provisions that do any of the following:
440.92(2)(g)1.
1. Place restrictions on the right of the purchaser to assign his or her interest in any undelivered cemetery merchandise or undeveloped space to any other person, but only if such restrictions are consistent with regulations, established by the cemetery authority of the cemetery in which the cemetery merchandise will ultimately be affixed or in which the undeveloped space is located, that specify who may or may not be buried in the cemetery.
440.92(2)(g)2.
2. Require the purchaser to notify the preneed seller that the purchaser has assigned his or her interest in any undelivered cemetery merchandise or undeveloped space to any other person within a reasonable period of time after the interest has been assigned.
440.92(2)(h)
(h) A provision in a preneed sales contract that purports to waive or is in conflict with any part of this section is void.
440.92(2)(i)
(i) If a preneed sales contract includes provisions for the sale of cemetery merchandise or an undeveloped space that is subject to the trusting requirements under
sub. (3) (a) and
(b) and for the sale of other goods or services that are not subject to the trusting requirements under
sub. (3) (a) and
(b), the sale price of the goods or services that are not subject to the trusting requirements may not be inflated for the purpose of allocating a lower sale price to the cemetery merchandise or undeveloped space that is subject to the trusting requirements.
440.92(2)(j)
(j) A preneed sales contract shall be in writing. The preneed seller shall provide the purchaser with a copy of the preneed sales contract at the time that the preneed sales contract is entered into. A provision in a written preneed sales contract that limits the terms of the transaction to those included in the written preneed sales contract and that disclaims any oral agreements pertaining to the transaction creates a rebuttable presumption that no oral preneed sales contract pertaining to the transaction exists. A preneed sales contract that is not in writing may not be voided by the preneed seller, but may be voided by the purchaser at any time before all of the cemetery merchandise purchased has been delivered, before the plans for constructing the mausoleum have been approved under
s. 157.12 (2) (a) or, if the mausoleum is a public mausoleum, before the construction of the mausoleum has been certified under
s. 157.12 (2) (b). If a preneed sales contract is voided under this paragraph, the preneed seller shall, within 30 days after the date on which the preneed sales contract is voided, refund all money paid by the purchaser, together with interest calculated at the legal rate of interest as provided under
s. 138.04.
440.92(2)(k)
(k) A preneed sales contract shall include the following language in not less than 10-point boldface type: "SECTION 440.92 (2) OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES SPECIFIES THE RIGHTS OF THE PURCHASER UNDER THIS CONTRACT. DEPENDING ON THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THESE MAY INCLUDE THE RIGHT TO VOID THE CONTRACT AND RECEIVE A REFUND OR THE RIGHT TO ASSIGN AN INTEREST IN THE CONTRACT TO ANOTHER PERSON."
440.92(3)
(3) Deposits in preneed trust fund and care fund. 440.92(3)(a)(a) A preneed seller shall deposit into a preneed trust fund an amount equal to at least 40% of each payment of principal that is received from the sale of cemetery merchandise under a preneed sales contract, or the wholesale cost ratio for the cemetery merchandise multiplied by the amount of the payment of principal that is received, whichever is greater. In addition to the amount required to be deposited under this paragraph for the sale of cemetery merchandise and except as provided in
par. (c), if a preneed seller receives payment for the sale of an undeveloped space under a preneed sales contract, the preneed seller shall deposit a percentage of each payment of principal that is received from the sale of the undeveloped space into a preneed trust fund, determined as follows:
440.92(3)(a)1.
1. If the actual cost to the preneed seller of constructing the undeveloped space in accordance with construction plans approved under
s. 157.12 (2) (a) has been determined by a registered architect or engineer and accepted in a written construction agreement by both the preneed seller and the person who has agreed to construct the mausoleum, the minimum percentage of each payment of principal that must be deposited into the preneed trust fund is the percentage equal to the wholesale cost ratio for the undeveloped space. In this subdivision, "registered architect or engineer" means a person who is registered as an architect or engineer under
ch. 443.
440.92(3)(a)2.
2. If the cost to the preneed seller of constructing the undeveloped space has not been determined as provided in
subd. 1., the preneed seller shall deposit at least 40% of each payment of principal into the preneed trust fund.
440.92(3)(b)
(b) The preneed seller shall make the deposits required under
par. (a) within 30 business days after the last day of the month in which each payment is received. Preneed trust funds shall be deposited and invested as provided in
s. 157.19.
440.92(3)(c)
(c) A preneed seller is not required to make the deposits required under
par. (a) 1. and
2. if any of the following applies:
440.92(3)(c)2.
2. The undeveloped space is located in a mausoleum or project of mausoleums in which at least one mausoleum space was sold before November 1, 1991. In this subdivision, "project of mausoleums" means a group of mausoleums that have been or are intended to be built and arranged in a cemetery according to a single construction plan approved under
s. 157.12 (2) (a).
440.92(3)(c)3.
3. The preneed seller files with the department a bond furnished by a surety company authorized to do business in this state or files with the department and maintains an irrevocable letter of credit from a financial institution and the amount of the bond or letter of credit is sufficient to secure the cost to the cemetery authority of constructing the mausoleum.
440.92(3)(d)
(d) If payments are received under a preneed sales contract for an undeveloped space, the preneed seller shall make deposits into the care fund required under
s. 157.12 (3) in addition to any deposits required under
par. (a).
440.92(4)
(4) Exceptions to registration requirement. 440.92(4)(a)(a) Any person who sells or solicits the sale of cemetery merchandise under a preneed sales contract is not required to be licensed under
sub. (1) and the requirements of
sub. (3) (a) and
(b) do not apply to the sale if all payments received under the preneed sales contract are trusted as required under
s. 445.125 (1) (a) 1. or if all of the following conditions are met:
440.92(4)(a)1.
1. The preneed seller guarantees that the cemetery merchandise will be delivered not more than 180 days after the date of the sale.
440.92(4)(a)2.
2. The cemetery merchandise is delivered or the preneed sales contract is voided not more than 180 days after the date of the sale.
440.92(4)(b)
(b) If any preneed seller who is not licensed under
sub. (1) accepts a payment under a preneed sales contract and the merchandise is not delivered within 180 days after the date of the sale, the preneed seller shall immediately notify the purchaser that the purchaser is entitled to a refund of all money paid by the purchaser, together with interest calculated at the legal rate of interest as provided under
s. 138.04, at any time before the merchandise is delivered.
440.92(5)
(5) Use of preneed trust funds to cover costs of construction or partial performance. 440.92(5)(a)(a) Before the construction of a mausoleum for which a preneed trust fund has been established is certified under
s. 157.12 (2) (b), the trustee of the preneed trust fund shall, upon receipt of a written request for the release of a specified amount of the funds from the preneed seller and the person who is constructing the mausoleum, release the specified amount of the funds, but only if the request is accompanied by a sworn statement, signed by the preneed seller and the person who is constructing the mausoleum, certifying that the specified amount does not exceed the amount charged to the preneed seller by the person who is constructing the mausoleum for labor that has actually been performed and materials that have actually been used in the construction of the mausoleum, and does not include any cost for which preneed trust funds have been previously released under this paragraph.
440.92(5)(b)
(b) Before all of the terms of a preneed sales contract for the sale of cemetery merchandise are fulfilled, the trustee of the preneed trust fund shall, upon receipt of a written request for the release of a specified amount of the funds from the preneed seller, release the specified amount of the funds, but only if the request is accompanied by a sworn statement, signed by the preneed seller, certifying that the specified amount does not exceed the actual cost to the preneed seller for any cemetery merchandise that has actually been supplied or delivered and for any cemetery services that have actually been performed, and does not include any cost for which preneed trust funds have been previously released under this paragraph.
440.92(6)
(6) Reporting; record keeping; audits. 440.92(6)(a)(a) Every preneed seller licensed under
sub. (1) shall file an annual report with the board. The report shall be made on a form prescribed and furnished by the board. The report shall be made on a calendar-year basis unless the board, 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 board 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 children and families or a county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5).
440.92(6)(e)
(e) The board 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 board may promulgate rules to establish longer time periods for maintaining records under this paragraph.
440.92(6)(i)
(i) The board may promulgate rules requiring preneed sellers licensed under
sub. (1) to maintain other records and establishing minimum time periods for the maintenance of those records.
440.92(6)(j)
(j) The board may audit, at reasonable times and frequency, the records, trust funds and accounts of any preneed seller licensed 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 board 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 board. Upon application, the board 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 board 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 board 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 board 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 licensed 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 cemeteries. This section does not apply to a cemetery authority that is not required to be licensed under
s. 440.91 (1) or registered under
s. 440.91 (1m).
440.92 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also chs.
CB 1,
2, and
3, Wis. adm. code.
440.93
440.93
Disciplinary actions and proceedings. 440.93(1)
(1) The board may reprimand a licensee or deny, limit, suspend, or revoke a certificate of licensure of a cemetery authority, cemetery salesperson, or preneed seller if it finds that the applicant or licensee, or, if the applicant or licensee 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 licensee, 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.
