Chapter 103

103.21(4) (4) “Private school” has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (3r).

103.21(5) (5) “Public school” has the meaning given in s. 115.01 (1).

103.21(6) (6) “Street trade” means the selling, offering for sale, soliciting for, collecting for, displaying or distributing any articles, goods, merchandise, commercial service, posters, circulars, newspapers or magazines, or the blacking of boots, on any street or other public place or from house to house.

103.21(7) (7) “Tribal school” has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (15m).

103.21 History History: 1971 c. 271; 1983 a. 189; 1985 a. 1; 1989 a. 113; 1993 a. 492; 2009 a. 302.

103.21 Annotation There can be no employment under sub. (1) between a publisher and a minor distributing newspapers without the publisher having actual or implied knowledge of the minor’s activities. Beard v. Lee Enterprises, Inc., 225 Wis. 2d 1, 591 N.W.2d 156 (1999), 96-3393.

103.22 103.22 General standards and powers of the department. The general standards for the employment of minors set forth in s. 103.65 apply to the employment of minors in street trades, and in relation to that employment the department has the powers and duties specified in s. 103.66. Except as the department exercises those powers, the employment of minors in street trades shall be in accordance with ss. 103.23 to 103.31.

103.22 History History: 1971 c. 271.

103.22 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DWD 271, Wis. adm. code.

103.23 103.23 Age minimum.

103.23(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), a minor under 12 years of age shall not be employed or permitted to work at any time in any street trade.

103.23(2) (2) A minor under 12 years of age may work in a fund-raising sale for a nonprofit organization, a public school, a private school, or a tribal school under the following conditions:

103.23(2)(a) (a) Each minor must give the nonprofit organization, public school, private school, or tribal school written approval from the minor’s parent or guardian.

103.23(2)(b) (b) Each minor under 9 years of age or each group containing one or more minors under 9 years of age must be physically accompanied by a parent or a person at least 16 years of age.

103.23 History History: 1971 c. 271; 1973 c. 183; 1985 a. 1; 2009 a. 302.

103.24 103.24 Hours of work. The department shall determine and fix reasonable hours of employment for minors under 16 years of age in street trades. Except as provided in this section, the department may not fix hours of employment for minors under 16 years of age in street trades that exceed the maximum hours per day and per week specified in s. 103.68 (2) (a) and (b), that exceed the maximum days per week specified in s. 103.68 (2) (c), or that begin earlier or end later than the hours specified in s. 103.68 (2) (d) and (e). The department may not limit the hours of employment for minors 16 years of age or over in street trades or the hours of employment for minors of any age who are engaged in the delivery of newspapers to the consumer.

103.24 History History: 1971 c. 271; 2011 a. 32.

103.24 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. DWD 271.03 and 271.04, Wis. adm. code.

103.245 103.245 Designation of a permit officer.

103.245(1) (1) 

103.245(1)(a) (a) The department shall designate a school board, as defined in s. 115.001 (7), as a permit officer unless the school board refuses the designation.

103.245(1)(b) (b) A school board designated as a permit officer under par. (a) may assign the duties of permit officer to an officer or employee of the school district.

103.245(2) (2) The department may designate persons other than school boards as permit officers, regardless of whether any school board refuses designation as a permit officer under sub. (1) (a).

103.245 History History: 1987 a. 187.

103.25 103.25 Permits and identification cards.

103.25(1) (1) A minor under 16 years of age shall not be employed or permitted to work at any street trade unless the minor’s employer first obtains from the department or a permit officer a street trade permit and the minor first obtains an identification card, both issued in accordance with this section.

103.25(2) (2) If upon investigation, the department determines that there are practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships in carrying out sub. (1), the department may by general or special order make reasonable exceptions or modifications with due regard for the life, health, safety and welfare of minors employed in street trades. The investigation and orders shall be made as provided under s. 103.005. These orders are subject to review as provided in ch. 227.

103.25(3) (3) The form and requisites of street trade permits shall be the same as those specified for permits authorizing the employment of minors under s. 103.73, except as provided in sub. (3m) and except that the permits may be issued on special street trade permit forms, in a form determined by the department. Each minor for whom a street trade permit is issued shall be provided by the department or the permit officer issuing the permit with a street trade identification card, in a form determined by the department. The minor shall carry the identification card while engaged in street trade employment and may not transfer it to any other person.

103.25(3m) (3m) 

103.25(3m)(a) (a) In addition to the information required for a street trade permit under sub. (3), a street trade permit obtained by a house-to-house employer shall contain the minor’s permanent home address and social security number.

103.25(3m)(b) (b) A house-to-house employer shall have a copy of the street trade permit issued for the minor stamped or endorsed by the clerk of any municipality where the minor conducts a street trade from house to house.

103.25(3m)(c) (c) This subsection does not apply to employment of a minor by a newspaper publisher or in a fund-raising sale for a nonprofit organization, a public school, a private school, or a tribal school.

103.25(4) (4) In relation to employment in street trades a permit issued under this section has the same force and effect as a permit issued under ss. 103.64 to 103.82; and the failure to obtain a permit when required under this section subjects the employer to the same penalties and liabilities as failure to obtain a permit when required under ss. 103.64 to 103.82.

103.25(5) (5) This section does not apply to employment of a minor in a fund-raising sale for a nonprofit organization, a public school, a private school, or a tribal school.

103.25 History History: 1971 c. 228 s. 43; 1971 c. 271, 307; 1973 c. 183; 1985 a. 1; 1987 a. 187; 1989 a. 113; 1993 a. 492; 1995 a. 27; 2001 a. 107; 2009 a. 302; 2017 a. 11.

103.25 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DWD 270 and ss. DWD 271.01, 271.06, and 271.07, Wis. adm. code.

103.26 103.26 Refusal or revocation of permits and identification cards.

103.26(1) (1) The department or permit officer may refuse to grant a street trade permit and identification card to a minor who seems physically unable to perform the work or whose school record indicates that the minor should not undertake such employment in addition to school, or whenever in the judgment of the department or permit officer the best interests of the minor would be served by such refusal.

103.26(2) (2) The department may revoke a street trade permit and identification card if the minor for whom such permit was issued is found by the department to have worked when prohibited under s. 103.24, if it appears to the department that such permit was improperly or illegally issued or if in their judgment the best interests of the minor would be served by such revocation. The department shall by registered mail notify such minor and the minor’s employer of such revocation. On receipt of such notice the employer shall immediately return the revoked permit and discontinue the employment of such minor, and the minor shall immediately return the revoked identification card to the permit officer.

103.26 History History: 1973 c. 183; 1993 a. 492.

103.26 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DWD 271.08, Wis. adm. code.

103.27 103.27 Duties of employers of minors in street trades.

103.27(1) (1) Every employer of minors in street trades shall keep a record for each minor of his or her name, address and date of birth.

103.27(2) (2) Every employer shall receive and file a street trade permit authorizing employment of each minor under 16 years of age by the employer before the minor is permitted to work; and shall keep the permit on file and allow inspection of the permit at any time by the department or any police or school attendance officer.

103.27(3) (3) This section does not apply to employment of a minor in a fund-raising sale for a nonprofit organization, a public school, a private school, or a tribal school.

103.27 History History: 1971 c. 271; 1973 c. 183; 1979 c. 298; 1985 a. 1; 1993 a. 492; 2009 a. 302; 2017 a. 11.

103.275 103.275 Duties of employers in house-to-house street trades.

103.275(1) (1) Certification required. No person may do any of the following without obtaining a certificate under sub. (2):

103.275(1)(a) (a) Act as a house-to-house employer.

103.275(1)(b) (b) Recruit or offer employment to a minor to conduct street trades from house to house.

103.275(2) (2) Application and issuance of certificate.

103.275(2)(a) (a) A person shall apply to the department for a house-to-house employer certificate by submitting an application to the department. The department shall furnish applications upon request and applications shall contain all of the following:

103.275(2)(a)1. 1. The name of the applicant and the address and telephone of its principal place of business.

103.275(2)(a)2. 2. If the applicant is a corporation, the date and place of its incorporation.

103.275(2)(a)2L. 2L. If the applicant is a limited liability company, the date and place of its organization.

103.275(2)(a)3. 3. The name and permanent home address of the sole proprietor, managing partner, managers or principal officers of the applicant.

103.275(2)(a)4. 4. The names, permanent home addresses and dates of birth of any of the applicant’s employees, agents or representatives who supervise minor employees conducting street trades from house to house.

103.275(2)(a)5. 5. The employer identification numbers assigned to the applicant by the internal revenue service and the department of revenue.

103.275(2)(a)6. 6. Any documents required by the department to prove that the applicant has complied with sub. (3).

103.275(2)(a)7. 7. Any other information that the department considers relevant.

103.275(2)(b) (b) Except as provided under pars. (bm), (br), and (bt), upon receipt of a properly completed application, the department shall issue a house-to-house employer certificate if all of the following apply:

103.275(2)(b)1. 1. The department is satisfied that the applicant will comply with ss. 103.21 to 103.31.

103.275(2)(b)2. 2. The applicant has established proof of ability to pay under sub. (3).

103.275(2)(b)3. 3. If the application is for a new certificate after revocation under sub. (7), the revocation occurred at least 12 months before issuance of the new certificate.

103.275(2)(bg) (bg)

103.275(2)(bg)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2m., the department shall require each applicant for a house-to-house employer certificate under this subsection who is an individual to provide the department with the applicant’s social security number, and shall require each applicant for a house-to-house employer certificate who is not an individual to provide the department with the applicant’s federal employer identification number, when initially applying for or applying to renew the house-to-house employer certificate.

103.275(2)(bg)2. 2. If an applicant who is an individual fails to provide the applicant’s social security number to the department or if an applicant who is not an individual fails to provide the applicant’s federal employer identification number to the department, the department may not issue or renew a house-to-house employer certificate under this subsection to or for the applicant unless the applicant is an individual who does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under subd. 2m.

103.275(2)(bg)2m. 2m. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department. A house-to-house employer certificate issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.

103.275(2)(bg)3. 3. The department of workforce development may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 or the department of children and families for purposes of administering s. 49.22.

103.275(2)(bm) (bm) The department of workforce development shall deny, suspend, restrict, refuse to renew, or otherwise withhold a house-to-house employer certificate for failure of the applicant or house-to-house employer to pay court-ordered payments of child or family support, maintenance, birth expenses, medical expenses, or other expenses related to the support of a child or former spouse or for failure of the applicant or house-to-house employer to comply, after appropriate notice, with a subpoena or warrant issued by the department of children and families or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) and related to paternity or child support proceedings, as provided in a memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857. Notwithstanding sub. (7) and s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided in the memorandum of understanding entered into under s. 49.857 and not as provided in sub. (7) and ch. 227.

103.275(2)(br) (br) The department shall deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a house-to-house employer certificate, or revoke such a certificate already issued, if the department of revenue certifies under s. 73.0301 that the applicant or house-to-house employer is liable for delinquent taxes. Notwithstanding sub. (7) and s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this paragraph is subject to review only as provided under s. 73.0301 (5) and not as provided in sub. (7) and ch. 227.

103.275(2)(bt) (bt)

103.275(2)(bt)1. 1. The department may deny an application for the issuance or renewal of a house-to-house employer certificate, or revoke such a certificate already issued, if the department determines that the applicant or house-to-house employer is liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d). Notwithstanding sub. (7) and s. 103.005 (10), an action taken under this subdivision is subject to review only as provided under s. 108.227 (5) and not as provided in sub. (7) and ch. 227.

103.275(2)(bt)2. 2. If the department denies an application or revokes a certificate under subd. 1., the department shall mail a notice of denial or revocation to the applicant or house-to-house employer. The notice shall include a statement of the facts that warrant the denial or revocation and a statement that the applicant or house-to-house employer may, within 30 days after the date on which the notice of denial or revocation is mailed, file a written request with the department to have the determination that the applicant or house-to-house employer is liable for delinquent contributions reviewed at a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a).

103.275(2)(bt)3. 3. If, after a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a), the department affirms a determination under subd. 1. that an applicant or house-to-house employer is liable for delinquent contributions, the department shall affirm its denial or revocation. An applicant or house-to-house employer may seek judicial review under s. 108.227 (6) of an affirmation by the department of a denial or revocation under this subdivision.

103.275(2)(bt)4. 4. If, after a hearing under s. 108.227 (5) (a), the department determines that a person whose certificate is revoked or whose application is denied under subd. 1. is not liable for delinquent contributions, as defined in s. 108.227 (1) (d), the department shall reinstate the certificate or approve the application, unless there are other grounds for revocation or denial. The department may not charge a fee for reinstatement of a certificate under this subdivision.

103.275(2)(c) (c) A person who receives a house-to-house employer certificate shall notify the department of any changes in the information required in the application submitted under par. (a) within 30 days after the change occurs.

103.275(2)(d) (d) A house-to-house employer certificate is valid for a 12-month period. A house-to-house employer may renew a certificate by submitting an application under par. (a), subject to the conditions under par. (b).

103.275(3) (3) Financial responsibility.

103.275(3)(a) (a) A house-to-house employer shall establish proof of its ability to pay any compensation owed to minor employees and any penalties that may be imposed under s. 103.29.

103.275(3)(b) (b) A house-to-house employer shall prove its ability to pay under par. (a) by maintaining one of the following commitments, in an amount of at least $5,000 and in a form approved by the department:

103.275(3)(b)1. 1. A bond.

103.275(3)(b)2. 2. A certificate of deposit.

103.275(3)(b)3. 3. An established escrow account.

103.275(3)(b)4. 4. An irrevocable letter of credit.

103.275(3)(c) (c) The commitment described in par. (b) shall be established in favor of or made payable to the department, for the benefit of the state and any minor employee who does not receive the compensation earned by the minor employee. The house-to-house employer shall file with the department any agreement, instrument or other document necessary to enforce the commitment against the house-to-house employer or any relevant 3rd party, or both.

103.275(4) (4) Disclosure to minor employees.

103.275(4)(a) (a) When a minor applies for a job to conduct street trades from house to house, the house-to-house employer shall inform the minor in writing of the terms and conditions of employment including all of the following:

103.275(4)(a)1. 1. Compensation, including commissions, bonuses or contest awards.