Chapter 100

100.207 100.207 Telecommunications services.

100.207(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “telecommunications service” has the meaning given in s. 196.01 (9m).

100.207(2) (2) Advertising and sales representations. A person may not make in any manner any statement or representation with regard to the provision of telecommunications service, including the rates, terms or conditions for telecommunications service, which is false, misleading or deceptive, or which omits to state material information with respect to the provision of telecommunications service that is necessary to make the statement not false, misleading or deceptive.

100.207(3) (3) Sales practices.

100.207(3)(a) (a) A person may not engage in negative option billing or negative enrollment of telecommunications services, including unbundled telecommunications services. A person may not bill a customer for any telecommunications service that the customer did not affirmatively order unless that service is required to be provided by law, the federal communications commission or the public service commission. A customer’s failure to refuse a person’s proposal to provide a telecommunications service is not an affirmative request for that telecommunications service.

100.207(3)(b) (b) A person may not charge a customer for telecommunications service provided after the customer has canceled that telecommunications service.

100.207(3)(c) (c) A person shall provide a customer who has ordered a telecommunications service through an oral solicitation with independent confirmation of the order within a reasonable time.

100.207(4) (4) Collection practices.

100.207(4)(a) (a) A person may not misrepresent that local exchange service may be disconnected for nonpayment of other telecommunications service.

100.207(4)(b) (b) A person may not unreasonably refuse to provide a detailed listing of charges for telecommunications service upon the request of a customer.

100.207(5) (5) Territorial application. Subsections (2) to (4) apply to any practice directed to any person in this state.

100.207(6) (6) Remedies and penalties.

100.207(6)(a) (a)

100.207(6)(a)1. 1. If a person fails to comply with this section, any person or class of persons adversely affected by the failure to comply has a claim for appropriate relief, including damages, injunctive or declaratory relief, specific performance and rescission.

100.207(6)(a)2. 2. A person or class of persons entitled to relief under subd. 1. is also entitled to recover costs and disbursements.

100.207(6)(b) (b)

100.207(6)(b)1. 1. The department of justice, after consulting with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, or any district attorney upon informing the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, may commence an action in circuit court in the name of the state to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction any violation of this section. Injunctive relief may include an order directing telecommunications providers, as defined in s. 196.01 (8p), to discontinue telecommunications service provided to a person violating this section or ch. 196. Before entry of final judgment, the court may make such orders or judgments as may be necessary to restore to any person any pecuniary loss suffered because of the acts or practices involved in the action if proof of these acts or practices is submitted to the satisfaction of the court.

100.207(6)(b)2. 2. The department may exercise its authority under ss. 93.14 to 93.16 and 100.18 (11) (c) to administer this section. The department and the department of justice may subpoena persons and require the production of books and other documents, and the department of justice may request the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection to exercise its authority to aid in the investigation of alleged violations of this section.

100.207(6)(c) (c) Any person who violates subs. (2) to (4) shall be required to forfeit not less than $25 nor more than $5,000 for each offense. Forfeitures under this paragraph shall be enforced by the department of justice, after consulting with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection, or, upon informing the department, by the district attorney of the county where the violation occurs.

100.207(6)(e) (e) Subject to par. (em), the department shall promulgate rules under this section.

100.207(6)(em) (em)

100.207(6)(em)1. 1. Before preparing any proposed rule under this section, the department shall form an advisory group to suggest recommendations regarding the content and scope of the proposed rule. The advisory group shall consist of one or more persons who may be affected by the proposed rule, a representative from the department of justice and a representative from the public service commission.

100.207(6)(em)2. 2. The department shall submit the recommendations under subd. 1., if any, to the legislature as part of the report required under s. 227.19 (2) and to the board of agriculture, trade and consumer protection.

100.207(6)(f) (f) This section does not preempt the administration or enforcement of this chapter or ch. 133 or 196.Practices in violation of this section may also constitute unfair methods of competition or unfair trade practices under s. 100.20 (1) or (1t) or fraudulent representations under s. 100.18 (1) or violate ch. 133 or 196.

100.207 History History: 1993 a. 496; 1995 a. 27.

100.207 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. ATCP 123, Wis. adm. code.

100.207 Annotation Application of the common law voluntary payment doctrine would undermine the manifest purposes of this section. The conflict between the statute’s purpose and the common law defense leaves no doubt that the legislature intended that the common law defense should not be applied to bar claims under the statute. MBS-Certified Public Accountants, LLC v. Wisconsin Bell Inc., 2012 WI 15, 338 Wis. 2d 647, 809 N.W.2d 857, 08-1830.

100.207 Annotation Allegations that the defendants violated sub. (2) by billing in a false, misleading, or deceptive manner and by omitting information necessary to ensure that statements in the phone bills were not false, deceptive, or misleading stated a claim under sub. (2). Sub. (2) does not limit prohibited representations to those made directly to the party alleging the violation and does not limit prohibited representations to “advertisements” or “sales representations.” MBS-Certified Public Accountants, LLC v. Wisconsin Bell Inc., 2013 WI App 14, 346 Wis. 2d 173, 828 N.W.2d 575, 08-1830.

100.208 100.208 Unfair trade practices in telecommunications.

100.208(1) (1) In this section, “telecommunications provider” has the meaning given in s. 196.01 (8p).

100.208(2) (2) The department shall notify the public service commission if any of the following conditions exists:

100.208(2)(a) (a) A telecommunications provider has been found by a court to have violated any provision of this chapter or of a rule promulgated under s. 100.20 (2) (a).

100.208(2)(b) (b) The department has issued an order under s. 100.20 (3) prohibiting a telecommunications provider from engaging in an unfair trade practice or method of competition.

100.208 History History: 1993 a. 496; 1997 a. 229.

100.209 100.209 Video programming service subscriber rights.

100.209(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

100.209(1)(c) (c) “Multichannel video provider” means an interim cable operator, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (n), video service provider, as defined in s. 66.0420 (2) (zg), or multichannel video programming distributor, as defined in 47 USC 522 (13).

100.209(1)(d) (d) “Video programming” has the meaning given in s. 66.0420 (2) (x).

100.209(2) (2) Rights.

100.209(2)(a) (a) A multichannel video provider shall repair video programming service within 72 hours after a subscriber reports a service interruption or requests the repair if the service interruption is not the result of a natural disaster.

100.209(2)(b) (b) Upon notification by a subscriber of a service interruption, a multichannel video provider shall give the subscriber a credit for one day of video programming service if video programming service is interrupted for more than 4 hours in one day and the interruption is caused by the multichannel video provider.

100.209(2)(bm) (bm) Upon notification by a subscriber of a service interruption, a multichannel video provider shall give the subscriber a credit for each hour that video programming service is interrupted if video programming service is interrupted for more than 4 hours in one day and the interruption is not caused by the multichannel video provider.

100.209(2)(c) (c) A multichannel video provider shall give a subscriber at least 30 days’ advance written notice before deleting a program service from its video programming service. A multichannel video provider is not required to give the notice under this paragraph if the multichannel video provider makes a channel change because of circumstances beyond the control of the multichannel video provider.

100.209(2)(d) (d) A multichannel video provider shall give a subscriber at least 30 days’ advance written notice before instituting a rate increase.

100.209(2)(e) (e) If a multichannel video provider intends to disconnect a subscriber’s video programming service, or a portion of that service, the multichannel video provider shall give the subscriber at least 10 days’ advance written notice of the disconnection. A multichannel video provider is not required to give the notice under this paragraph if the disconnection is requested by the subscriber, is necessary to prevent theft of video programming service or is necessary to reduce or prevent signal leakage, as described in 47 CFR 76.611.

100.209(3) (3) Rules and orders allowed. This section does not prohibit the department from promulgating a rule or from issuing an order consistent with its authority under this chapter that gives a subscriber greater rights than the rights under sub. (2).

100.209(4) (4) Penalty; enforcement.

100.209(4)(a) (a) A person who violates sub. (2) may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000 for each offense and not more than $10,000 for each occurrence. Failure to give a notice required under sub. (2) (c) or (d) to more than one subscriber shall be considered to be one offense.

100.209(4)(b) (b) The department and the district attorneys of this state have concurrent authority to institute civil proceedings under this section.

100.209 History History: 1991 a. 296; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 111 s. 17; Stats. 1997 s. 100.209; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2007 a. 42; 2013 a. 20.

100.2095 100.2095 Labeling of bedding.

100.2095(1) (1) In this section, “bedding” means any mattress, upholstered spring, comforter, pad, cushion or pillow designed and manufactured for the purpose of sleeping or reclining.

100.2095(2) (2) 

100.2095(2)(a) (a) All bedding shall be labeled to include a description of the material that is used in the manufacture of the bedding and the name and address of the manufacturer of the bedding and the person selling, offering for sale or consigning for sale the bedding. If any of the material used in the bedding has not previously been used in any other bedding, the phrase “manufactured of new material” shall appear on the label. If any of the material used in the bedding has previously been used in other bedding, the phrase “manufactured of secondhand material” shall appear on the label.

100.2095(2)(b) (b) For the purpose of labeling bedding under par. (a), the label shall be not less than 3 inches by 4.5 inches in size and shall be sewed to the bedding and the print appearing on the label shall be not less than one-eighth of an inch in height.

100.2095(3) (3) No person in the business of manufacturing, distributing or selling bedding may manufacture, distribute, sell, offer for sale, consign for sale or possess with intent to distribute, sell, offer for sale or consign for sale any article of bedding unless the bedding is labeled as provided in sub. (2).

100.2095(4) (4) No person in the business of selling bedding may sell, offer for sale, consign for sale or possess with intent to sell, offer for sale or consign for sale any article of bedding if the article of bedding contains any material that has been used in any hospital or has been used by or about any person having an infectious or contagious disease.

100.2095(5) (5) No person in the business of distributing or selling bedding, with intent to distribute, sell, offer for sale or consign for sale any article of bedding, may represent that any article of bedding, which contains material that has been previously used in other bedding, is manufactured of material that has not been previously used in other bedding.

100.2095(6) (6) 

100.2095(6)(a) (a) Any person suffering pecuniary loss because of a violation of sub. (3), (4) or (5) may commence an action for the pecuniary loss and if the person prevails, the person shall recover twice the amount of the pecuniary loss or $200 for each violation, whichever is greater, together with costs, including reasonable attorney fees.

100.2095(6)(b) (b) The department may commence an action in the name of the state to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction a violation of sub. (3), (4) or (5). Before entry of final judgment, the court may make any necessary orders to restore to any person any pecuniary loss suffered by the person because of the violation.

100.2095(6)(c) (c) The department or any district attorney may commence an action in the name of the state to recover a forfeiture to the state of not less than $100 nor more than $10,000 for each violation of sub. (3), (4) or (5).

100.2095(6)(d) (d) A person who violates sub. (3), (4) or (5) may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 9 months or both. Each day of violation constitutes a separate offense.

100.2095 History History: 1997 a. 260; 1999 a. 32 s. 169; 2001 a. 109.

100.21 100.21 Substantiation of energy savings or safety claims.

100.21(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

100.21(1)(a) (a) “Dwelling unit” means a dwelling, as defined under s. 101.61 (1), a modular home, as defined under s. 101.71 (6), a manufactured home, as defined under s. 101.91 (2), or a multifamily dwelling, as defined under s. 101.01 (8m).

100.21(1)(b) (b) “Energy savings or safety claim” means an advertisement or representation that:

100.21(1)(b)1. 1. A product is safe or meets any standard or measure of safety; or

100.21(1)(b)2. 2. A product or a consumer product, as defined in s. 100.42 (1) (c):

100.21(1)(b)2.a. a. Increases fuel or electrical efficiency;

100.21(1)(b)2.b. b. Reduces heat loss;

100.21(1)(b)2.c. c. Reduces relative consumption of or expenditures for fuel or electricity; or

100.21(1)(b)2.d. d. Meets any standard or measure of performance under subd. 2. a. to c.

100.21(1)(c) (c) “Insulation” means any material primarily designed to resist heat flow in a dwelling unit. “Insulation” does not include pipe or duct insulation except for duct wrap.

100.21(1)(d) (d) “Motor vehicle” has the meaning provided under s. 340.01 (35).

100.21(1)(e) (e) “Person” means any manufacturer, distributor, installer or seller of any product.

100.21(1)(f) (f) “Product” means:

100.21(1)(f)1. 1. Insulation.

100.21(1)(f)2. 2. Any system or device used in or around a dwelling unit for the heating of space or water or the generation of electricity, including any attachment or additive to the system or device. “Product” does not include any system, device, attachment or additive included in the original construction of a dwelling unit or in the sale or transfer of a dwelling unit.

100.21(1)(f)3. 3. Any fuel additive, including any motor vehicle fuel additive.

100.21(1)(f)4. 4. Any article used in a motor vehicle to promote fuel efficiency. “Product” does not include any original part or equipment in a motor vehicle as sold by the manufacturer or a licensed dealer or any substantially identical replacement part or equipment for the motor vehicle.

100.21(1)(g) (g) “‘R’ value” means the measure of resistance to heat flow through a material, computed as the reciprocal of the heat flow through a material expressed in British thermal units per hour per square foot per degree Fahrenheit at 75 degrees Fahrenheit mean temperature.

100.21(2) (2) Reasonable basis for claims.

100.21(2)(a) (a) No person may make an energy savings or safety claim without a reasonable and currently accepted scientific basis for the claim when the claim is made. Making an energy savings or safety claim without a reasonable and currently accepted scientific basis is an unfair method of competition and trade practice prohibited under s. 100.20.

100.21(2)(b) (b) An energy savings or safety claim made by a person other than a manufacturer does not violate par. (a) if the person relies in good faith on written materials distributed by the manufacturer and if the claim is limited to the representations in the materials. Any energy savings or safety claim made by a person other than a manufacturer, after the person is notified that no reasonable and currently accepted scientific basis for the claim has been submitted, is a violation of par. (a).

100.21(3) (3) Substantiating the claim.

100.21(3)(a) (a) Any person making an energy savings or safety claim shall, upon written request by the department, submit information upon which the person relied to substantiate the claim. Failure to submit information requested under this subsection is a violation of sub. (2) (a).

100.21(3)(b) (b) The department shall make available to any person any information submitted under this subsection unless protected from disclosure by state or federal law.