Chapter 253

Ch. 253 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See definitions in s. 250.01.

253.01 253.01 Definition. In this chapter, “division” means the division within the department that has primary responsibility for health issues.

253.01 History History: 1993 a. 27.

253.02 253.02 Department; powers and duties.

253.02(1) (1) In this section:

253.02(1)(a) (a) “Children with special health care needs” means children who have health problems that require intervention beyond routine and basic care, including children with or at risk for disabilities, chronic illnesses and conditions, health-related educational problems and health-related behavioral problems.

253.02(1)(b) (b) “Preventive health services for children” includes assessment and appropriate follow-up regarding a child’s growth and development, immunization status, nutrition, vision and hearing.

253.02(2) (2) The department shall maintain a maternal and child health program within the division, to promote the reproductive health of individuals and the growth, development, health and safety of infants, children and adolescents. The program shall include all of the following:

253.02(2)(a) (a) Reproductive health services, including health services prior to conception and family planning services, as defined in s. 253.07 (1) (b).

253.02(2)(b) (b) Pregnancy-related services to pregnant women from the time of confirmation of the pregnancy through the maternal postpartum period, including pregnancy information, referral and follow-up, early identification of pregnancy and prenatal services.

253.02(2)(c) (c) Infant and preschool health services to children from birth to 5 years of age, including neonatal health services, preventive health services for children and parent education and support services.

253.02(2)(d) (d) Child and adolescent health services to promote the physical and psychosocial health of children and adolescents, including preventive health services for children, adolescent health services, teen pregnancy prevention services, alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and mental health-related services.

253.02(2)(e) (e) General maternal and child health services, including health education, oral health, nutrition, childhood and adolescent injury prevention and family health benefits counseling.

253.02(2)(f) (f) Health services to children with special health care needs.

253.02(2)(g) (g) Maternal and child health system coordination services that promote coordination of public and private sector activities in areas of the maternal and child health program described in pars. (a) to (f).

253.02(2m) (2m) Nothing in this section authorizes the performance, promotion, encouragement or counseling in favor of, or referral either directly or through an intermediary for, voluntary termination of pregnancy. Nothing in this section prohibits the providing of nondirective information explaining any of the following:

253.02(2m)(a) (a) Prenatal care and delivery.

253.02(2m)(b) (b) Infant care, foster care or adoption.

253.02(2m)(c) (c) Pregnancy termination.

253.02(3) (3) The department shall designate a subunit within the division to have responsibility for the maternal and child health program. The subunit shall be comprised of an adequate number of interdisciplinary professional staff with expertise in maternal and child health who will assume responsibility for all of the following:

253.02(3)(a) (a) Planning, coordination, data collection and evaluation of the program.

253.02(3)(b) (b) Providing consultation and technical assistance to local health professionals.

253.02(3)(c) (c) Coordinating the program activities with related activities conducted under the authority of other state and federal agencies.

253.02(4) (4) The department shall collaborate with community-based organizations that serve children, adolescents, and their families to promote health and wellness, and to reduce childhood and adolescent obesity.

253.02 History History: 1993 a. 27; 1997 a. 27, 164; 2007 a. 20.

253.03 253.03 State plan; reports. The department shall prepare and submit to the proper federal authorities a state plan for maternal and child health services. The plan shall conform with all requirements governing federal aid for this purpose and shall be designed to secure for this state the maximum amount of federal aid which can be secured on the basis of the available state, county, and local appropriations. The department shall make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as may from time to time be required by the federal authorities and shall comply with all provisions that may be prescribed to assure the correctness and verification of the reports. The secretary may appoint a maternal and child health program advisory committee under s. 15.04 (1) (c) to assist the department in meeting the requirements of this section.

253.03 History History: 1993 a. 27 s. 369.

253.04 253.04 Private rights. No official, agent or representative of the department may, under this section, enter any home over the objection of the owner or take charge of any child over the objection of the parent or of the person standing in the place of a parent or having custody of the child. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the power of a parent, guardian or person standing in the place of a parent to determine what treatment or correction shall be provided for a child or the agency to be employed for that purpose.

253.04 History History: 1993 a. 27 s. 370.

253.05 253.05 Federal funds. The department shall use sufficient funds from the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (a) for the promotion of the welfare and hygiene of maternity and infancy to match federal funds received by the state.

253.05 History History: 1993 a. 27 s. 371.

253.06 253.06 State supplemental food program for women, infants and children.

253.06(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

253.06(1)(ag) (ag) “Alternate participant” means a person who has been authorized by a participant to request benefits, participate in nutrition education, bring an infant or child to a Women, Infants, and Children program appointment, and have access to information in the participant’s file.

253.06(1)(am) (am) “Approved food” means food identified by the department as an authorized food in accordance with 7 CFR 246.10 as acceptable for use under the federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under 42 USC 1786.

253.06(1)(br) (br) “Cardholder” means a participant; alternate participant; parent, legal guardian, or caretaker of a participant; or another person in possession of a Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer card and the personal identification number for the card.

253.06(1)(cm) (cm) “Direct distribution center” means an entity, other than a vendor, that is under contract with the department under sub. (3m) to distribute approved food to participants.

253.06(1)(cp) (cp) “Electronic benefit transfer” means a method that permits electronic access to Women, Infants, and Children program benefits using a device, approved by the department, with payments made in accordance with ch. 410.

253.06(1)(cr) (cr) “Food instrument” means a voucher, check, electronic benefit transfer card, electronic benefit transfer card number and personal identification number, coupon, or other method used by a participant to obtain Women, Infants, and Children program approved foods.

253.06(1)(ct) (ct) “Infant formula supplier” means a wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or manufacturer of infant formula.

253.06(1)(cv) (cv) “Local agency” means an entity that has a contract with the department to provide services under the Women, Infants, and Children program such as eligibility determination, benefit issuance, and nutritional counseling for participants.

253.06(1)(d) (d) “Participant” means a person who is eligible for services under this section and who receives services under this section.

253.06(1)(dr) (dr) “Summary suspension” means an emergency action taken by the department to suspend an authorization under the Women, Infants, and Children program.

253.06(1)(dv) (dv) “Trafficking” means doing any of the following:

253.06(1)(dv)1. 1. Buying, selling, stealing, or otherwise exchanging for cash or consideration other than approved food Women, Infants, and Children program food instruments or benefits that are issued and accessed via a food instrument.

253.06(1)(dv)2. 2. Exchanging firearms, ammunition, explosives, or controlled substances, as defined in 21 USC 802, for a food instrument.

253.06(1)(dv)3. 3. Intentionally purchasing and reselling for cash or consideration other than approved food a product that is purchased with a food instrument.

253.06(1)(dv)4. 4. Intentionally purchasing with cash or consideration other than approved food a product that was originally purchased with a food instrument.

253.06(1)(e) (e) “Vendor” means a person that operates one or more stores or pharmacies authorized by the department under sub. (3) to provide approved foods under a retail food delivery system.

253.06(1)(g) (g) “Women, Infants, and Children program” means the federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under 42 USC 1786 and this section.

253.06(1m) (1m) Program administration. The department may identify an alternate participant as the Women, Infants, and Children program cardholder for purposes of electronic administration of the Women, Infants, and Children program.

253.06(2) (2) Use of funds. From the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (em), the department shall supplement the provision of supplemental foods, nutrition education, and other services, including nutritional counseling, to low-income women, infants, and children who meet the eligibility criteria under the federal special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children authorized under 42 USC 1786. To the extent that funds are available under this section and to the extent that funds are available under 42 USC 1786, the department shall provide the supplemental food, nutrition education, and other services authorized under this section and shall administer that provision in every county. The department may enter into contracts for this purpose.

253.06(3) (3) Authorization of vendors.

253.06(3)(a) (a) The department may authorize a vendor only if the vendor meets all of the following conditions:

253.06(3)(a)1. 1. The vendor submits to the department a completed application.

253.06(3)(a)2. 2. The vendor meets the minimum requirements for authorization, as established by the department by rule under sub. (5) (a) 1.

253.06(3)(a)3. 3. The vendor does not have any outstanding fines, forfeitures, or recoupments, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, that were levied against that vendor for a violation of this section or for a violation of rules promulgated under this section. This subdivision does not apply if the vendor has contested the fine, forfeiture, or recoupment, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, and has not exhausted administrative or judicial review.

253.06(3)(a)4. 4. The vendor is fit and qualified, as determined by the department. In determining whether a vendor is fit and qualified, the department shall consider any relevant conviction of the vendor or any of the vendor’s employees for civil or criminal violations substantially related to the operation of a grocery store or pharmacy.

253.06(3)(a)5. 5. The vendor has an electronic benefit transfer-capable cash register system or payment device, approved by the department, that is able to accurately and securely obtain Women, Infants, and Children program food balances associated with the electronic benefit transfer card, maintain the necessary electronic files such as the approved food list, successfully complete Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer purchases, and process Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer payments.

253.06(3)(bg) (bg) The department may limit the number of vendors that it authorizes under this subsection if the department determines that the number of vendors already authorized under this subsection is sufficient to permit participants to obtain approved food conveniently.

253.06(3)(bm) (bm) The department shall approve or deny initial authorization within 90 days after the receipt of a completed application. If the application is denied, the department shall give the applicant reasons, in writing, for the denial and shall inform the applicant of the right to appeal that decision under sub. (6).

253.06(3)(c) (c) The department may redeem food instruments only when submitted by a person who is an authorized vendor under this subsection except as provided in sub. (3m).

253.06(3)(d) (d) Each store operated by a business entity is a separate vendor for purposes of this section and is required to have a single, fixed location, except when the authorization of mobile stores is necessary to meet special needs in accordance with 7 CFR 246.4 (1) (14) (xiv). The department shall require that each store be authorized as a vendor separately from other stores operated by the business entity.

253.06(3m) (3m) Direct distribution centers.

253.06(3m)(a) (a) The department may contract for an alternative system of approved food distribution with an entity other than a vendor only if the entity meets all of the following requirements:

253.06(3m)(a)1. 1. The entity meets the minimum requirements established by the department by rule under sub. (5) (a) 1.

253.06(3m)(a)2. 2. The entity does not have any outstanding fines, forfeitures, or recoupments, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, that were levied against that entity for a violation of this section or for a violation of rules promulgated under this section. This subdivision does not apply if the entity has contested the fine, forfeiture, or recoupment, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, and has not exhausted administrative or judicial review.

253.06(3m)(a)3. 3. The entity is fit and qualified, as determined by the department.

253.06(3m)(a)4. 4. The entity has an electronic benefit transfer-capable cash register system or payment device, approved by the department, that is able to accurately and securely obtain Women, Infants, and Children program food balances associated with the electronic benefit transfer card, maintain the necessary files, successfully complete Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer purchases, and process Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer payments.

253.06(3m)(b) (b) The department may process a payment if submitted by a direct distribution center that is authorized by the department under this subsection.

253.06(4) (4) Prohibited practices.

253.06(4)(a) (a) No person may do any of the following:

253.06(4)(a)1. 1. Accept a food instrument or submit a request to the department for redemption without authorization.

253.06(4)(a)2m. 2m. Engage in trafficking.

253.06(4)(a)3. 3. Accept a food instrument other than in exchange for approved food that is selected by the electronic benefit transfer cardholder.

253.06(4)(a)3m. 3m. Provide approved food or other commodities to an electronic benefit transfer cardholder in exchange for a food instrument accepted by a 3rd party.

253.06(4)(a)4. 4. Submit a payment request for a dollar amount that is higher than the actual retail price of the item for which a food instrument was used.

253.06(4)(a)5m. 5m. Confiscate a food instrument or ask for or enter the electronic benefit transfer cardholder’s personal identification number.

253.06(4)(a)7. 7. Provide materially false information to the department or fail to provide in a timely manner material information that the department requests.

253.06(4)(a)9. 9. Provide to someone other than the department a food instrument; a Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer card; or food purchased with a food instrument for something of value.

253.06(4)(b) (b) A person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a Class I felony for the first offense and is guilty of a Class H felony for the 2nd or subsequent offense.

253.06(4)(c) (c)

253.06(4)(c)1. 1. Whenever a court imposes a fine, forfeiture, or recoupment for a violation of this subsection or imposes a forfeiture or recoupment for a violation of rules promulgated under sub. (5), the court shall also impose a supplemental food enforcement surcharge under ch. 814 in an amount of 50 percent of the fine, forfeiture, or recoupment imposed. If multiple offenses are involved, the court shall base the supplemental food enforcement surcharge on the total fine, forfeiture, and recoupment amounts for all offenses. When a fine, forfeiture, or recoupment is suspended in whole or in part, the court shall reduce the supplemental food enforcement surcharge in proportion to the suspension.

253.06(4)(c)2. 2. If a fine or forfeiture is imposed by a court of record, after a determination by the court of the amount due, the clerk of the court shall collect and transmit such amount to the county treasurer as provided in s. 59.40 (2) (m). The county treasurer shall then make payment to the secretary of administration as provided in s. 59.25 (3) (f) 2.

253.06(5) (5) Rules and penalties.

253.06(5)(a) (a) The department shall promulgate rules to establish all of the following:

253.06(5)(a)1. 1. Minimum qualification standards for the authorization of vendors and infant formula suppliers and for the awarding of a contract to an entity under sub. (3m).

253.06(5)(a)2. 2. Standards of operation for authorized vendors and infant formula suppliers and direct distribution centers, including prohibited practices.

253.06(5)(a)3. 3. Minimum requirements for participants, including prohibited practices.