Wisconsin Legislature: subch. I of ch. DHS 85

Chapter DHS 85

NON-PROFIT CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS AS GUARDIANS

Subchapter I — General Provisions

DHS 85.01 Purpose and authority.

DHS 85.02 Applicability.

DHS 85.03 Definitions.

DHS 85.04 Waivers and variances.

Subchapter II — Approvals

DHS 85.05 Application.

DHS 85.06 Criteria for approval.

DHS 85.07 Change of ownership.

DHS 85.08 Corporate guardian closing.

Subchapter III — Personnel

DHS 85.09 Staff.

DHS 85.10 Training.

DHS 85.11 Staffing.

DHS 85.12 Conflict of interest.

Subchapter IV — Ward Services

DHS 85.13 Rights of wards.

DHS 85.14 Duties.

DHS 85.15 Records.

Subchapter V — Withdrawal of Approval

DHS 85.16 Actions affecting approval.

DHS 85.17 Appeal of decisions.

Note: This chapter replaced ch. PW 65. Chapter HSS 85 was renumbered chapter HFS 85 under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register, February, 2000, No. 530. Chapter HFS 85 was renumbered chapter DHS 85 under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., and corrections made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635. Chapter DHS 85 as it existed on May 31, 2010, was repealed and a new chapter DHS 85 was created, Register May 2010 No. 653, effective June 1, 2010.

Subchapter I — General Provisions

DHS 85.01 Purpose and authority. This chapter is promulgated under the authority of ss. 54.15 (7) and 227.11 (2) (a), Stats., to establish the criteria by which the department determines whether a private nonprofit corporation organized under ch. 181, 187, or 188, Stats., or an unincorporated association is suitable to perform the duties of a guardian of the person, or of the estate, or both, of a proposed ward.

History: CR 09-061: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

DHS 85.02 Applicability. This rule applies to private non-profit corporations or unincorporated associations applying to the department for consideration of suitability to perform the duties of guardian of a person or of an estate, or both, of a proposed ward.

History: CR 09-061: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

DHS 85.03 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(1) “Applicant” means a private nonprofit corporation or an unincorporated association that applies to the department for a finding of suitability to perform the duties of a corporate guardian.

(2) “Corporate guardian” or “guardian” means a private nonprofit corporation or an unincorporated association appointed by a court to serve as guardian of the person, or of the estate, or both, of an individual who is found by a court to be in need of a guardian.

(3) “Department” means the Wisconsin department of health services.

(4) “Guardian of the estate” has the meaning given under s. 54.01 (11), Stats.

(5) “Guardian of the person” has the meaning given under s. 54.01 (12), Stats.

(6) “Guardianship program” means a system that is established by a corporate guardian to manage the income and assets and provide for the essential requirements for health and safety and the personal needs of its wards under ch. 54, Stats.

(7) “Guardianship program manager” means an employee designated by a corporate guardian, who is responsible for the management and day–to-day operation of the guardianship program.

(8) “Guardian representative” means an individual assigned by a guardian to perform the functions of the guardian of the person under s. 54.25 (1) and (2), Stats., or of the estate under ss. 54.19 and 54.20, Stats., or both, of a ward.

(9) “Successor guardian” has the meaning given in s. 54.01 (35), Stats.

(10) “Unincorporated association” is an organization organized under ch. 184, Stats.

(11) “Ward” has the meaning given under s. 54.01 (37), Stats.

History: CR 09-061: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; reprinted to correct error Register June 2010 No. 654.

DHS 85.04 Waivers and variances.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Variance” means the granting of an alternate requirement in place of a requirement of this chapter.

(b) “Waiver” means the granting of an exemption from a requirement of this chapter.

(2) Requirements for waivers and variances. The department may grant a waiver or variance of a requirement of this chapter to the corporate guardian if the department finds that the waiver or variance will not adversely affect the health, safety, or welfare of any ward and meet any of the following conditions:

(a) Strict enforcement of a requirement would result in unreasonable hardship on the ward.

(b) An alternative to a requirement, including a new concept, method, procedure or technique, other equipment, other personnel qualifications, or the conducting of a pilot project, is in the interests of better care or management.

(3) Applying for a waiver or variance. A corporate guardian may apply for a waiver or variance at any time. Each request shall be made in writing to the department and include all of the following:

(a) The rule provision from which the waiver or variance is requested.

(b) The time period for which the waiver or variance is requested.

(d) The reasons for the request.

(e) Justification that a requirement under sub. (2) would be satisfied.

(f) Any other information requested by the department.

(4) Department decision.

(a) The department shall grant or deny each request for waiver or variance in writing. A notice of denial shall contain the reasons for denial. If a notice of denial is not issued within 60 days after the receipt of a complete request, the waiver or variance shall be automatically approved.

(b) The terms of a requested variance may be modified upon agreement between the department and the corporate guardian.

(d) The department may limit the duration of a waiver or variance.

(5) Hearings.

(a) Denial of a request for a waiver or variance may be contested by requesting a hearing as provided by ch. 227, Stats.

(b) The applicant shall sustain the burden of proving that the denial of a waiver or variance was unreasonable.

(6) Revocation. The department may revoke a waiver or variance for any of the following reasons:

(a) The department determines that the waiver or variance is adversely affecting the health, safety or welfare of the wards.

(b) The guardian has failed to comply with the waiver or variance as granted.

(c) The guardian notifies the department in writing of the desire to relinquish the waiver or variance and be subject to the requirement previously waived or varied.

(d) Revocation is required by a change in law.

History: CR 09-061: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

Subchapter II — Approvals

DHS 85.05 Application. In this chapter: Only a private nonprofit corporation or an unincorporated association may apply to the department for a determination that the corporation or association is suitable to perform the duties of a guardian. A corporation or association applying for such a determination shall apply to the department on an application form provided by the department. The applicant shall submit the completed application and all of the following to the department:

(1) The filed endorsement of the Articles of Incorporation submitted to the Wisconsin department of financial institutions, if applicable.

(2) A copy of the applicant’s written grievance procedure for use by wards and interested parties.

(3) A business plan that includes staffing projections.

(4) A statement agreeing in writing to submit such reports and answer such questions as the department shall require in monitoring a corporate guardian.

(5) Any additional information requested by the department.

Note: Copies of the application form can be obtained at http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rl_DSL/CorptGuardn/CGforms.htm.

History: CR 09-061: cr. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10.

DHS 85.06 Criteria for approval. The department may not approve an applicant until the department determines the applicant is fit and qualified to receive a determination of suitability to perform the duties of a corporate guardian. In determining whether an applicant is fit and qualified, the department may consider all of the following:

(1) Compliance history with Wisconsin’s or any other state’s licensing requirements and with any federal certification requirements, including any license revocation or denial.

(2) Arrest history and criminal record, including any of the following:

(a) Crimes or acts involving abuse, neglect or mistreatment of a person or misappropriation of property of the person.

(b) Crimes or acts related to the manufacture, distribution, prescription, use, or dispensing of a controlled substance.