Chapter 254

254.13 254.13 Reporting requirements.

254.13(1) (1) Every physician who diagnoses lead poisoning or lead exposure, or any nurse, hospital administrator, director of a clinical laboratory or local health officer who has verified information of the existence of any person found or suspected to have lead poisoning or lead exposure, shall report to the department or to the local health officer of the region in which the person resides within 48 hours after verifying this information. The local health officer shall report to the department the name, address, laboratory results, date of birth and any other information about the person that the department considers essential. Any physician, nurse, hospital administrator, director of a clinical laboratory, local health officer or allied health professional making such a report in good faith shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability that otherwise might be incurred from making the report.

254.13(2) (2) A person who screens a child under 6 years of age for lead poisoning or lead exposure under this subchapter, or any rule promulgated under this subchapter, shall report the results of the screening to the department within the time period for reporting by rule. The department shall promulgate rules specifying the form of the reports required under this subsection. A person making a report under this subsection in good faith is immune from civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred from making the report.

254.13 History History: 1979 c. 221; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 27 s. 432; Stats. 1993 s. 254.13; 1993 a. 450.

254.13 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 181, Wis. adm. code.

254.15 254.15 Departmental duties. The department shall:

254.15(1) (1) Develop and implement a comprehensive statewide lead poisoning or lead exposure prevention and treatment program that includes lead poisoning or lead exposure prevention grants under s. 254.151; any childhood lead poisoning screening requirement under rules promulgated under ss. 254.158 and 254.162; any requirements regarding care coordination and follow-up for children with lead poisoning or lead exposure required under rules promulgated under s. 254.164; responses to reports of lead poisoning or lead exposure under s. 254.166; any lead investigation requirements under rules promulgated under ss. 254.167 and 254.168; any lead hazard reduction requirements under rules promulgated under s. 254.172; certification, accreditation and approval requirements under ss. 254.176 and 254.178; any certification requirements and procedures under rules promulgated under s. 254.179; and any fees imposed under s. 254.181.

254.15(2) (2) Provide laboratory testing of biological and environmental lead specimens for lead content to any physician, hospital, clinic, municipality or private organization that cannot secure or provide testing through other sources. The department may not assume responsibility for blood lead analysis required in programs in operation on April 30, 1980.

254.15(3) (3) Develop or encourage the development of appropriate programs and studies to identify sources of lead poisoning or lead exposure, and assist other entities in the identification of lead in children’s blood and of the sources of the lead poisoning or lead exposure.

254.15(4) (4) Provide technical assistance and consultation to local, county or regional governmental or private agencies to promote and develop lead poisoning or lead exposure prevention programs that afford opportunities for employing residents of communities and neighborhoods affected by lead poisoning or lead exposure from lead-bearing paint, and that provide appropriate training, education and information to inform these residents of the opportunities for employment.

254.15(5) (5) Provide recommendations for the identification and treatment of lead poisoning or lead exposure.

254.15(6) (6) Develop educational programs to communicate to parents, educators and officials of local boards of health the health danger of lead poisoning or lead exposure from lead-bearing paint among children.

254.15 History History: 1979 c. 221; 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1993 a. 27 ss. 434, 435; Stats. 1993 s. 254.15; 1993 a. 183; 1993 a. 450 ss. 21, 43; 1999 a. 113, 186; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 91.

254.151 254.151 Lead poisoning or lead exposure prevention grants. From the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (1) (ef), the department shall:

254.151(1m) (1m) Award the following grants under criteria that the department shall establish in rules promulgated under this subsection:

254.151(1m)(a) (a) To fund educational programs about the dangers of lead poisoning or lead exposure.

254.151(1m)(b) (b) To fund lead poisoning or lead exposure screening, care coordination and follow-up services, including lead investigations, to children under age 6 who are not covered by a 3rd-party payer.

254.151(1m)(c) (c) To fund administration or enforcement of responsibilities delegated under s. 254.152.

254.151(1m)(d) (d) To fund other activities related to lead poisoning or lead exposure.

254.151(1m)(e) (e) To fund any combination of the purposes under pars. (a) to (d).

254.151(1m)(f) (f) To develop and implement outreach and education programs for health care providers to inform them of the need for lead poisoning or lead exposure screening and of the requirements of this subchapter relating to lead poisoning or lead exposure.

254.151(1m)(g) (g) In each fiscal year, $175,000 to fund lead screening and outreach activities at a community-based human service agency that provides primary health care, health education and social services to low-income individuals in 1st class cities.

254.151(2m) (2m) Award grants for residential lead hazard abatement and residential lead hazard reduction.

254.151 History History: 1993 a. 450; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 2007 a. 91; 2009 a. 28; 2019 a. 9; 2021 a. 58.

254.151 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 182, Wis. adm. code.

254.152 254.152 Delegation to local health departments. Except with respect to the department’s authority to promulgate rules under this chapter, the department may designate local health departments as its agents in administering and enforcing ss. 254.11 to 254.178 and any rules promulgated under those sections. The department may not designate a local health department as its agent unless the department provides a grant that the department determines to be sufficient for the local health department to carry out any responsibilities as an agent designated under this section.

254.152 History History: 1993 a. 450.

254.154 254.154 Local authority. This subchapter does not prohibit any city, village, town or other political subdivision from enacting and enforcing ordinances establishing a system of lead poisoning or lead exposure control that provides the same or higher standards than those set forth in this subchapter. Nothing in this subchapter may be interpreted or applied in any manner to impair the right of any person, entity, municipality or other political subdivision to sue for damages or equitable relief. Nothing in this subchapter may be interpreted or applied in any manner to impair the right of a municipality or other political subdivision to impose a penalty for or restrain the violation of an ordinance specified in this section.

254.154 History History: 1979 c. 221; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 27 s. 436; Stats. 1993 s. 254.16; 1993 a. 450 s. 48; Stats. 1993 s. 254.154; 1999 a. 113.

254.156 254.156 Definition of lead poisoning or lead exposure. Notwithstanding s. 254.11 (intro.) and (9), whenever the centers for disease control and prevention of the federal department of health and human services specifies a standard for the determination of lead poisoning or lead exposure that differs from that specified in s. 254.11 (9), the department shall promulgate a rule defining “lead poisoning or lead exposure” to correspond to the specification of the centers for disease control and prevention. Rules promulgated under this section supersede s. 254.11 (9) with respect to the requirements of this subchapter.

254.156 History History: 1993 a. 450; 2015 a. 55.

254.158 254.158 Screening recommendations. The department may promulgate rules specifying recommended lead poisoning or lead exposure screening methods and intervals for children under 6 years of age. Any rules promulgated under this section:

254.158(1) (1) Shall meet any federal requirements for the screening of children under 6 years of age.

254.158(1m) (1m) May include an appropriate questionnaire regarding potential exposure to lead and products containing lead.

254.158(2) (2) Shall permit at least the following persons to provide screening services:

254.158(2)(a) (a) A person licensed to practice medicine or osteopathy under ch. 448.

254.158(2)(b) (b) A nurse permitted or licensed under ch. 441.

254.158(2)(c) (c) A public health nurse under s. 250.06 (1).

254.158(3) (3) Shall exempt a child from the lead screening recommendations if the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian signs a written waiver objecting to the lead poisoning screening for reasons of health, religion or personal conviction.

254.158(4) (4) Shall exempt a child from the lead poisoning screening recommendations if the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian presents written evidence of a lead screening that was conducted within the previous 6 months, or other time period specified by the department by rule, and that was conducted in accordance with the laws or rules of another state whose laws or rules the department determines to be at least as stringent as the screening methods and intervals recommended under this section.

254.158 History History: 1993 a. 450; 2017 a. 364.

254.162 254.162 Screening requirements.

254.162(1) (1) Institutions and programs providing services to children under 6 years of age. The department may promulgate rules requiring the following institutions and programs to obtain written evidence that each child under 6 years of age participating in the institution or program has obtained a lead screening, or is exempt from obtaining one, under the recommended lead screening levels and intervals contained in the rules promulgated by the department under s. 254.158, within the time periods specified by the department:

254.162(1)(a) (a) Multidisciplinary evaluations for early intervention under s. 51.44.

254.162(1)(b) (b) Head start programs administered by a head start agency under 42 USC 9836.

254.162(1)(c) (c) Child care providers certified under s. 48.651 and child care centers licensed under s. 48.65, provisionally licensed under s. 48.69, or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14).

254.162(1)(d) (d) School-based programs serving children under 6 years of age, including kindergartens, special education and related services for children with disabilities, as defined in s. 115.76 (5), and other early childhood programs.

254.162(1)(e) (e) Health care programs that provide services to children under 6 years of age and that receive state funding.

254.162(1)(f) (f) Other institutions or programs that provide services to children under 6 years of age.

254.162(2) (2) Information requirement. If a program or institution is required to request written evidence of a lead screening under rules promulgated under sub. (1), the institution or program shall, at the time that it makes the request, inform the parent, guardian or legal custodian of the child in writing, in a manner that is prescribed by the department by rule, of the importance of lead screening, of how and where the lead screening may be obtained, and of the conditions under which a child is exempt from the recommended lead screening requirements under the department’s rules.

254.162 History History: 1993 a. 450; 1997 a. 164; 2009 a. 185.

254.164 254.164 Care for children with lead poisoning or lead exposure. The department may promulgate rules establishing standards for the care coordination and follow-up of children under 6 years of age with lead poisoning or lead exposure. Any rules promulgated under this section shall meet any federal requirements for the care coordination and follow-up of children under 6 years of age with elevated blood lead levels. Rules promulgated under this subsection may specify different care coordination and follow-up requirements based on different blood lead levels and may, where appropriate, require that the care coordination and follow-up include any of the following:

254.164(1) (1) Physical, developmental and nutritional assessment.

254.164(2) (2) Parent education.

254.164(3) (3) Medical evaluation.

254.164(4) (4) A lead investigation of all or part of the child’s dwelling or other dwellings or premises that may have contributed to the child’s lead poisoning or lead exposure.

254.164(5) (5) Assistance in developing a plan for lead hazard reduction or other actions needed to reduce exposure to lead and the consequences of such exposure.

254.164(6) (6) Where necessary, assistance in obtaining permanent or temporary lead-safe housing.

254.164(7) (7) Nutritional supplements.

254.164(8) (8) Follow-up services, including monitoring the provision of services to the child.

254.164 History History: 1993 a. 450; 2007 a. 91.

254.166 254.166 Response to reports of lead poisoning or lead exposure.

254.166(1) (1) The department may, after being notified that an occupant of a dwelling or premises who is under 6 years of age has blood lead poisoning or lead exposure, present official credentials to the owner or occupant of the dwelling or premises, or to a representative of the owner, and request admission to conduct a lead investigation of the dwelling or premises. If the department is notified that an occupant of a dwelling or premises who is a child under 6 years of age has an elevated blood lead level, the department shall conduct a lead investigation of the dwelling or premises or ensure that a lead investigation of the dwelling or premises is conducted. The lead investigation shall be conducted during business hours, unless the owner or occupant of the dwelling or premises consents to an investigation during nonbusiness hours or unless the department determines that the dwelling or premises presents an imminent lead hazard. The department shall use reasonable efforts to provide prior notice of the lead investigation to the owner of the dwelling or premises. The department may remove samples or objects necessary for laboratory analysis to determine the presence of a lead hazard in the dwelling or premises. The department shall prepare and file written reports of all lead investigations conducted under this section and shall make the contents of these reports available for inspection by the public, except for medical information, which may be disclosed only to the extent that patient health care records may be disclosed under ss. 146.82 to 146.835. If the owner or occupant refuses admission, the department may seek a warrant to investigate the dwelling or premises. The warrant shall advise the owner or occupant of the scope of the lead investigation.

254.166(2) (2) If the department determines that a lead hazard is present in any dwelling or premises, the department may do any of the following:

254.166(2)(a) (a) Cause to be posted in a conspicuous place upon the dwelling or premises a notice of the presence of a lead hazard.

254.166(2)(b) (b) Inform the local health officer of the results of the lead investigation and provide recommendations to reduce or eliminate the lead hazard.

254.166(2)(c) (c) Notify the occupant of the dwelling or premises or the occupant’s representative of all of the following:

254.166(2)(c)1. 1. That a lead hazard is present on or in the dwelling or premises.

254.166(2)(c)2. 2. The results of any lead investigations conducted on or in the dwelling or premises.

254.166(2)(c)3. 3. Any actions taken to reduce or eliminate the lead hazard.

254.166(2)(d) (d) Notify the owner of the dwelling or premises of the presence of a lead hazard.

254.166(2m) (2m) If the department determines that a lead hazard is present in any dwelling or premises, the local health department shall and the department may issue an order that requires reduction or elimination of an imminent lead hazard within 5 days after the order’s issuance and reduction or elimination of other lead hazards within 30 days after the order’s issuance, except that, for orders that are issued between October 1 and May 1 and that relate only to exterior lead hazards that are not imminent lead hazards, the order may require elimination or reduction of the lead hazard no earlier than the June 1 immediately following the order’s issuance. If the agency that issued the order determines that the owner has good cause for not complying with the order within the 5-day or 30-day time period, the agency may extend the time period within which the owner is required to comply with the order. The failure to comply with an order within the time prescribed or as extended shall be prima facie evidence of negligence in any action brought to recover damages for injuries incurred after the time period expires. If an order to conduct lead hazard reduction is issued by the department or by a local health department and if the owner of the dwelling or premises complies with that order, there is a rebuttable presumption that the owner of the dwelling or premises has exercised reasonable care with respect to lead poisoning or lead exposure caused, after the order has been complied with, by lead hazards covered by the order, except that with respect to interim control activities the rebuttable presumption continues only for the period for which the interim control activity is reasonably expected to reduce or eliminate the lead hazard.

254.166(2r) (2r) The department may conduct or require a certified lead risk assessor or other person certified under s. 254.176 to conduct a lead investigation, a check of work completed, and dust tests for the presence of hazardous levels of lead to ensure compliance with an order issued under sub. (2m).

254.166(4) (4) The department shall give priority to eliminating lead hazards from dwellings in which children under 6 years of age with diagnosed lead poisoning or lead exposure reside.

254.166 History History: 1979 c. 221; 1989 a. 31; 1993 a. 27 s. 433; Stats. 1993 s. 254.14; 1993 a. 450 ss. 39 to 41; Stats. 1993 s. 254.166; 1999 a. 113; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 91.

254.167 254.167 Conduct of lead investigation. Subject to the limitation under s. 254.174, the department may promulgate rules establishing procedures for conducting lead investigations of dwellings and premises. The rules promulgated under this section may include the following:

254.167(1) (1) Specific procedures for investigating, testing or sampling painted, varnished or other finished surfaces, drinking water, household dust, soil and other materials that may contain lead.

254.167(2) (2) Specific procedures for the notification of owners, operators, occupants or prospective occupants, mortgagees and lienholders of lead levels identified during a lead investigation and of any health risks that are associated with the lead level and condition of the lead found during the lead investigation.

254.167(3) (3) The form of lead investigation reports, the requirements for filing the reports with the department and the procedures by which members of the public may obtain copies of lead investigation reports.

254.167(4) (4) Requirements for the posting of warnings, where appropriate, of the presence of a lead hazard.

254.167 History History: 1993 a. 450; 1999 a. 113.

254.167 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 163, Wis. adm. code.

254.168 254.168 Lead investigations of facilities serving children under 6 years of age. Subject to the limitation under s. 254.174, the department may promulgate rules that require any of the following facilities to have periodic lead investigations at intervals determined by the department or to otherwise demonstrate that the facility does not contain a lead hazard, if any part of the facility was constructed before January 1, 1978:

254.168(1) (1) A foster home licensed under s. 48.62.

254.168(2) (2) A group home licensed under s. 48.625.

254.168(3) (3) A shelter care facility under s. 48.66.

254.168(4) (4) A child care provider certified under s. 48.651.

254.168(5) (5) A child care center licensed under s. 48.65, provisionally licensed under s. 48.69, or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14).

254.168(6) (6) A private or public nursery school or kindergarten.