Chapter 50

50.035(2) (2) Fire protection.

50.035(2)(a) (a)

50.035(2)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., each community-based residential facility shall provide, at a minimum, a low-voltage interconnected smoke detection system to protect the entire facility that, if any detector is activated, either triggers alarms throughout the building or triggers an alarm located centrally.

50.035(2)(a)2. 2. A community-based residential facility that has 8 or less beds may use a radio-transmitting smoke detection system that triggers an audible alarm in a central area of the facility in lieu of the interconnected smoke detection system specified in subd. 1.

50.035(2)(a)3. 3. The department or the department of safety and professional services may waive the requirement under subd. 1. or 2. for a community-based residential facility that has a smoke detection or sprinkler system in place that is at least as effective for fire protection as the type of system required under the relevant subdivision.

50.035(2)(b) (b) No facility may install a smoke detection system that fails to receive the approval of the department or of the department of safety and professional services. At least one smoke detector shall be located at each of the following locations:

50.035(2)(b)1. 1. At the head of every open stairway.

50.035(2)(b)2. 2. At the door leading to every enclosed stairway on each floor level.

50.035(2)(b)3. 3. In every corridor, spaced not more than 30 feet apart and not further than 15 feet from any wall.

50.035(2)(b)4. 4. In each common use room, including living rooms, dining rooms, family rooms, lounges and recreation rooms but not including kitchens.

50.035(2)(b)5. 5. In each sleeping room in which smoking is allowed.

50.035(2)(c) (c) A community-based residential facility does not have to meet the requirements under pars. (a) and (b) prior to May 1, 1985. Beginning on May 1, 1985, the department may waive the requirements under pars. (a) and (b) for a community-based residential facility for a period not to exceed 6 months if the department finds that compliance with those requirements would result in an extreme hardship for the facility.

50.035(2d) (2d) Accompaniment or visitation. If a community-based residential facility has a policy on who may accompany or visit a patient, the community-based residential facility shall extend the same right of accompaniment or visitation to a patient’s domestic partner under ch. 770 as is accorded the spouse of a patient under the policy.

50.035(3) (3) Manager’s presence in facility.

50.035(3)(a) (a) The person responsible for managing a Class C community-based residential facility, or that person’s agent, shall be present in the facility at any time that residents are in the facility. The person responsible for managing a Class A community-based residential facility, or that person’s agent, shall be present in the facility from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. when residents are in the facility.

50.035(3)(b) (b) The department may waive a requirement under par. (a) for a community-based residential facility:

50.035(3)(b)1. 1. For a specified period of time, not to exceed one year, if the department finds that compliance with the requirement would result in an unreasonable hardship for the facility and that all of the residents are physically and mentally capable of taking independent action in an emergency; or

50.035(3)(b)2. 2. For a specified period of time if the department finds that the primary purpose of the facility’s program is to promote the independent functioning of its residents with minimum supervision.

50.035(4) (4) Fire notice. The licensee of a community-based residential facility, or his or her designee, shall notify the department and any county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 that has residents placed in the facility of any fire that occurs in the facility for which the fire department is contacted. The notice shall be provided within 72 hours after such a fire occurs.

50.035(4m) (4m) Provision of information required. When a community-based residential facility first provides written material regarding the community-based residential facility to a prospective resident, the community-based residential facility shall also provide the prospective resident information specified by the department concerning the services of a resource center under s. 46.283, the family care benefit under s. 46.286, and the availability of a functional screening and a financial and cost-sharing screening to determine the prospective resident’s eligibility for the family care benefit under s. 46.286 (1).

50.035(4n) (4n) Required referral. When a community-based residential facility first provides written information regarding the community-based residential facility to a prospective resident who is at least 65 years of age or has developmental disability or a physical disability and whose disability or condition is expected to last at least 90 days, the community-based residential facility shall refer the individual to a resource center under s. 46.283, unless any of the following applies:

50.035(4n)(a) (a) For a person for whom a screening for functional eligibility under s. 46.286 (1) (a) has been performed within the previous 6 months, the referral under this subsection need not include performance of an additional functional screening under s. 46.283 (4) (g).

50.035(4n)(b) (b) The person is entering the community-based residential facility only for respite care.

50.035(4n)(c) (c) The person is an enrollee of a care management organization.

50.035(4n)(d) (d) For a person who seeks admission or is about to be admitted on a private pay basis and who waives the requirement for a financial and cost-sharing screening under s. 46.283 (4) (g), the referral under this subsection may not include performance of a financial and cost-sharing screening under s. 46.283 (4) (g), unless the person is expected to become eligible for medical assistance within 6 months.

50.035(5) (5) Reports of death required.

50.035(5)(a) (a) In this subsection:

50.035(5)(a)1. 1. “Physical restraint” includes all of the following:

50.035(5)(a)1.a. a. A locked room.

50.035(5)(a)1.b. b. A device or garment that interferes with an individual’s freedom of movement and that the individual is unable to remove easily.

50.035(5)(a)1.c. c. Restraint by a facility staff member of a resident by use of physical force.

50.035(5)(a)2. 2. “Psychotropic medication” means an antipsychotic, antidepressant, lithium carbonate or a tranquilizer.

50.035(5)(b) (b) No later than 24 hours after the death of a resident of a community-based residential facility, the community-based residential facility shall report the death to the department if one of the following applies:

50.035(5)(b)1. 1. There is reasonable cause to believe that the death was related to the use of physical restraint or a psychotropic medication.

50.035(5)(b)3. 3. There is reasonable cause to believe that the death was a suicide.

50.035(6) (6) Posting of notice required. The licensee of a community-based residential facility, or his or her designee, shall post in a conspicuous location in the community-based residential facility a notice, provided by the board on aging and long-term care, of the name, address and telephone number of the long-term care ombudsman program under s. 16.009 (2) (b).

50.035(10) (10) Exceptions to care limitations.

50.035(10)(a) (a) Notwithstanding the limitations on the type of care that may be required by and provided to residents under s. 50.01 (1g) (intro.), the following care may be provided in a community-based residential facility under the following circumstances:

50.035(10)(a)1. 1. Subject to par. (b), a community-based residential facility may provide more than 3 hours of nursing care per week or care above intermediate level nursing care for not more than 30 days to a resident who does not have a terminal illness but who has a temporary condition that requires the care, if all of the following conditions apply:

50.035(10)(a)1.a. a. The resident is otherwise appropriate for the level of care that is limited in a community-based residential facility under s. 50.01 (1g) (intro.).

50.035(10)(a)1.b. b. The services necessary to treat the resident’s condition are available in the community-based residential facility.

50.035(10)(a)2. 2. Subject to par. (b) and if a community-based residential facility has obtained a waiver from the department or has requested such a waiver from the department and the decision is pending, the community-based residential facility may provide more than 3 hours of nursing care per week or care above intermediate level nursing care for more than 30 days to a resident who does not have a terminal illness but who has a stable or long-term condition that requires the care, if all of the following conditions apply:

50.035(10)(a)2.a. a. The resident is otherwise appropriate for the level of care that is limited in a community-based residential facility under s. 50.01 (1g) (intro.).

50.035(10)(a)2.b. b. The services necessary to treat the resident’s condition are available in the community-based residential facility.

50.035(10)(a)2.c. c. The community-based residential facility has obtained a waiver from the department under this subdivision or has requested such a waiver from the department and the decision is pending.

50.035(10)(a)3. 3. A community-based residential facility may provide more than 3 hours of nursing care per week or care above intermediate level nursing care to a resident who has a terminal illness and requires the care, under the following conditions:

50.035(10)(a)3.a. a. If the resident’s primary care provider is a licensed hospice or a licensed home health agency.

50.035(10)(a)3.b. b. If the resident’s primary care provider is not a licensed hospice or a licensed home health agency, but the community-based residential facility has obtained a waiver of the requirement under subd. 3. a. from the department or has requested such a waiver and the department’s decision is pending.

50.035(10)(b) (b) A community-based residential facility may not have a total of more than 4 residents or 10 percent of the facility’s licensed capacity, whichever is greater, who qualify for care under par. (a) 1. or 2. unless the facility has obtained a waiver from the department of the limitation of this paragraph or has requested such a waiver and the department’s decision is pending.

50.035(10)(c) (c) The department may grant a waiver of the limitation under par. (a) 2. or 3. a. or (b).

50.035(11) (11) Forfeitures.

50.035(11)(a) (a) Whoever violates sub. (4m) or (4n) or rules promulgated under sub. (4m) or (4n) may be required to forfeit not more than $500 for each violation.

50.035(11)(b) (b) The department may directly assess forfeitures provided for under par. (a). If the department determines that a forfeiture should be assessed for a particular violation, it shall send a notice of assessment to the community-based residential facility. The notice shall specify the amount of the forfeiture assessed, the violation and the statute or rule alleged to have been violated, and shall inform the licensee of the right to a hearing under par. (c).

50.035(11)(c) (c) A community-based residential facility may contest an assessment of a forfeiture by sending, within 10 days after receipt of notice under par. (b), a written request for a hearing under s. 227.44 to the division of hearings and appeals created under s. 15.103 (1). The administrator of the division may designate a hearing examiner to preside over the case and recommend a decision to the administrator under s. 227.46. The decision of the administrator of the division shall be the final administrative decision. The division shall commence the hearing within 30 days after receipt of the request for a hearing and shall issue a final decision within 15 days after the close of the hearing. Proceedings before the division are governed by ch. 227. In any petition for judicial review of a decision by the division, the party, other than the petitioner, who was in the proceeding before the division shall be the named respondent.

50.035(11)(d) (d) All forfeitures shall be paid to the department within 10 days after receipt of notice of assessment or, if the forfeiture is contested under par. (c), within 10 days after receipt of the final decision after exhaustion of administrative review, unless the final decision is appealed and the order is stayed by court order. The department shall remit all forfeitures paid to the secretary of administration for deposit in the school fund.

50.035(11)(e) (e) The attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state to collect any forfeiture imposed under this section if the forfeiture has not been paid following the exhaustion of all administrative and judicial reviews. The only issue to be contested in any such action shall be whether the forfeiture has been paid.

50.035 History History: 1983 a. 363; 1985 a. 176; 1987 a. 403 ss. 67, 256; 1989 a. 336; 1991 a. 39; 1995 a. 27 ss. 3235 to 3237, 9116 (5); 1997 a. 27, 114, 237; 1999 a. 9, 32, 103, 186; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32; 2019 a. 9; 2023 a. 237.

50.035 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DHS 83, Wis. adm. code.

50.037 50.037 Community-based residential facility licensing fees.

50.037(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “total monthly charges” means the total amount paid per month, including the basic monthly rate plus any additional fees, for care, treatment and services provided to a resident of a community-based residential facility by a community-based residential facility.

50.037(2) (2) Fees.

50.037(2)(a) (a)

50.037(2)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the biennial fee for a community-based residential facility is $389, plus a biennial fee of $50.25 per resident, based on the number of residents that the facility is licensed to serve.

50.037(2)(a)2. 2. The department may, by rule, increase the amount of the fee under subd. 1.

50.037(2)(b) (b) Fees specified under par. (a) shall be paid to the department by the community-based residential facility before the department may issue a license under s. 50.03 (4) (a) 1. b. A licensed community-based residential facility shall pay the fee under par. (a) by the date established by the department. A newly licensed community-based residential facility shall pay the fee under this subsection no later than 30 days before the opening of the facility.

50.037(2)(c) (c) A community-based residential facility that fails to submit the biennial fee prior to the date established by the department, or a new community-based residential facility subject to this section that fails to submit the biennial fee by 30 days prior to the opening of the new community-based residential facility, shall pay an additional fee of $10 per day for every day after the deadline that the facility does not pay the fee.

50.037(3) (3) Exemption. Community-based residential facilities where the total monthly charges for each resident do not exceed the monthly state supplemental payment rate under s. 49.77 (3s) that is in effect at the time the fee under sub. (2) is assessed are exempt from this section.

50.037 History History: 1973 c. 90, 243, 333; 1975 c. 413 s. 18; 1975 c. 430 ss. 73, 80; 1977 c. 26, 418; 1979 c. 221; 1983 a. 27; 1987 a. 161 s. 13m; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16; 1993 a. 27 ss. 253 to 256; Stats. 1993 s. 50.037; 1993 a. 183, 375; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2009 a. 28.

50.04 50.04 Special provisions applying to licensing and regulation of nursing homes.

50.04(1) (1) Applicability. This section applies to nursing homes as defined in s. 50.01 (3).

50.04(1m) (1m) Definitions. In this section, “class “C” repeat violation” means a class “C” violation by a nursing home under the same statute or rule under which, within the previous 2 years, the department has served the nursing home a notice of violation or a correction order or has made a notation in the report under sub. (3) (b).

50.04(2) (2) Required personnel.

50.04(2)(a) (a) No nursing home within the state may operate except under the supervision of an administrator licensed under ch. 456 by the nursing home administrators examining board. If the holder of a nursing home license is unable to secure a new administrator because of the departure of an administrator, such license holder may, upon written notice to the department and upon the showing of a good faith effort to secure a licensed administrator, place the nursing home in the charge of an unlicensed individual subject to conditions and time limitations established by the department, with advice from the nursing home administrator examining board. An unlicensed individual who administers a nursing home as authorized under this subsection is not subject to the penalty provided under s. 456.09.

50.04(2)(b) (b) Each nursing home shall employ a charge nurse. The charge nurse shall either be a licensed practical nurse acting under the supervision of a professional nurse or a physician, or shall be a professional nurse. The department shall, by rule, define the duties of a charge nurse.

50.04(2)(c) (c)

50.04(2)(c)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., beginning July 1, 1988, the department shall enforce nursing home minimum staffing requirements based on daily staffing levels.

50.04(2)(c)2. 2. The department may enforce nursing home minimum staffing requirements based on weekly staffing levels for a nursing home if the secretary determines that the nursing home is unable to comply with nursing home minimum staffing requirements based on daily staffing levels because:

50.04(2)(c)2.a. a. The nursing home minimum staffing requirements based on daily staffing levels violate the terms of a collective bargaining agreement that is in effect on December 8, 1987; or

50.04(2)(c)2.b. b. A shortage of nurses or nurse aides available for employment by the nursing home exists.

50.04(2)(d) (d) Each nursing home, other than nursing homes that primarily serve the developmentally disabled, shall provide at least the following hours of service by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, or nurse aides and may not use hours of service by a feeding assistant, as defined in s. 146.40 (1) (aw), in fulfilling these requirements:

50.04(2)(d)1. 1. For each resident in need of intensive skilled nursing care, 3.25 hours per day, of which a minimum of 0.65 hour shall be provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

50.04(2)(d)2. 2. For each resident in need of skilled nursing care, 2.5 hours per day, of which a minimum of 0.5 hour shall be provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

50.04(2)(d)3. 3. For each resident in need of intermediate or limited nursing care, 2.0 hours per day, of which a minimum of 0.4 hour shall be provided by a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse.

50.04(2d) (2d) Accompaniment or visitation. If a nursing home has a policy on who may accompany or visit a patient, the nursing home shall extend the same right of accompaniment or visitation to a patient’s domestic partner under ch. 770 as is accorded the spouse of a patient under the policy.

50.04(2g) (2g) Provision of information required.

50.04(2g)(a) (a) A nursing home shall, within the time period after inquiry by a prospective resident that is prescribed by the department by rule, inform the prospective resident of the services of a resource center under s. 46.283, the family care benefit under s. 46.286, and the availability of a functional screening and a financial and cost-sharing screening to determine the prospective resident’s eligibility for the family care benefit under s. 46.286 (1).

50.04(2g)(b) (b) Failure to comply with this subsection is a class “C” violation under sub. (4) (b) 3.

50.04(2h) (2h) Required referral.

50.04(2h)(a) (a) A nursing home shall, within the time period prescribed by the department by rule, refer to a resource center under s. 46.283 a person who is seeking admission, who is at least 65 years of age or has developmental disability or physical disability and whose disability or condition is expected to last at least 90 days, unless any of the following applies: