Wis. Stat. § 253.01 Definition
In this chapter, “division” means the division within the department that has primary responsibility for health issues.
Maternal and child health
Wis. Stat. ch. 253
in effectWis. Stat. § 253.02 Department; powers and duties
(1) In this section:
(a) “Children with special health care needs” means children who have health problems that require intervention beyond routine and basic care, including children with or at risk for disabilities, chronic illnesses and conditions, health-related educational problems and health-related behavioral problems.
(b) “Preventive health services for children” includes assessment and appropriate follow-up regarding a child’s growth and development, immunization status, nutrition, vision and hearing.
(2) The department shall maintain a maternal and child health program within the division, to promote the reproductive health of individuals and the growth, development, health and safety of infants, children and adolescents. The program shall include all of the following:
(a) Reproductive health services, including health services prior to conception and family planning services, as defined in s. 253.07 (1) (b).
(b) Pregnancy-related services to pregnant women from the time of confirmation of the pregnancy through the maternal postpartum period, including pregnancy information, referral and follow-up, early identification of pregnancy and prenatal services.
(c) Infant and preschool health services to children from birth to 5 years of age, including neonatal health services, preventive health services for children and parent education and support services.
(d) Child and adolescent health services to promote the physical and psychosocial health of children and adolescents, including preventive health services for children, adolescent health services, teen pregnancy prevention services, alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and mental health-related services.
(e) General maternal and child health services, including health education, oral health, nutrition, childhood and adolescent injury prevention and family health benefits counseling.
(f) Health services to children with special health care needs.
(g) Maternal and child health system coordination services that promote coordination of public and private sector activities in areas of the maternal and child health program described in pars. (a) to (f).
(2m) Nothing in this section authorizes the performance, promotion, encouragement or counseling in favor of, or referral either directly or through an intermediary for, voluntary termination of pregnancy. Nothing in this section prohibits the providing of nondirective information explaining any of the following:
(a) Prenatal care and delivery.
(b) Infant care, foster care or adoption.
(c) Pregnancy termination.
(3) The department shall designate a subunit within the division to have responsibility for the maternal and child health program. The subunit shall be comprised of an adequate number of interdisciplinary professional staff with expertise in maternal and child health who will assume responsibility for all of the following:
(a) Planning, coordination, data collection and evaluation of the program.
(b) Providing consultation and technical assistance to local health professionals.
(c) Coordinating the program activities with related activities conducted under the authority of other state and federal agencies.
(4) The department shall collaborate with community-based organizations that serve children, adolescents, and their families to promote health and wellness, and to reduce childhood and adolescent obesity.
Wis. Stat. § 253.03 State plan; reports
The department shall prepare and submit to the proper federal authorities a state plan for maternal and child health services. The plan shall conform with all requirements governing federal aid for this purpose and shall be designed to secure for this state the maximum amount of federal aid which can be secured on the basis of the available state, county, and local appropriations. The department shall make such reports, in such form and containing such information, as may from time to time be required by the federal authorities and shall comply with all provisions that may be prescribed to assure the correctness and verification of the reports. The secretary may appoint a maternal and child health program advisory committee under s. 15.04 (1) (c) to assist the department in meeting the requirements of this section.
Wis. Stat. § 253.04 Private rights
No official, agent or representative of the department may, under this section, enter any home over the objection of the owner or take charge of any child over the objection of the parent or of the person standing in the place of a parent or having custody of the child. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the power of a parent, guardian or person standing in the place of a parent to determine what treatment or correction shall be provided for a child or the agency to be employed for that purpose.
Wis. Stat. § 253.05 Federal funds
The department shall use sufficient funds from the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (a) for the promotion of the welfare and hygiene of maternity and infancy to match federal funds received by the state.
Wis. Stat. § 253.06 State supplemental food program for women, infants and children
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(ag) “Alternate participant” means a person who has been authorized by a participant to request benefits, participate in nutrition education, bring an infant or child to a Women, Infants, and Children program appointment, and have access to information in the participant’s file.
(am) “Approved food” means food identified by the department as an authorized food in accordance with 7 CFR 246.10 as acceptable for use under the federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under 42 USC 1786.
(br) “Cardholder” means a participant; alternate participant; parent, legal guardian, or caretaker of a participant; or another person in possession of a Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer card and the personal identification number for the card.
(cm) “Direct distribution center” means an entity, other than a vendor, that is under contract with the department under sub. (3m) to distribute approved food to participants.
(cp) “Electronic benefit transfer” means a method that permits electronic access to Women, Infants, and Children program benefits using a device, approved by the department, with payments made in accordance with ch. 410.
(cr) “Food instrument” means a voucher, check, electronic benefit transfer card, electronic benefit transfer card number and personal identification number, coupon, or other method used by a participant to obtain Women, Infants, and Children program approved foods.
(ct) “Infant formula supplier” means a wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or manufacturer of infant formula.
(cv) “Local agency” means an entity that has a contract with the department to provide services under the Women, Infants, and Children program such as eligibility determination, benefit issuance, and nutritional counseling for participants.
(d) “Participant” means a person who is eligible for services under this section and who receives services under this section.
(dr) “Summary suspension” means an emergency action taken by the department to suspend an authorization under the Women, Infants, and Children program.
(dv) “Trafficking” means doing any of the following:
1. Buying, selling, stealing, or otherwise exchanging for cash or consideration other than approved food Women, Infants, and Children program food instruments or benefits that are issued and accessed via a food instrument.
2. Exchanging firearms, ammunition, explosives, or controlled substances, as defined in 21 USC 802, for a food instrument.
3. Intentionally purchasing and reselling for cash or consideration other than approved food a product that is purchased with a food instrument.
4. Intentionally purchasing with cash or consideration other than approved food a product that was originally purchased with a food instrument.
(e) “Vendor” means a person that operates one or more stores or pharmacies authorized by the department under sub. (3) to provide approved foods under a retail food delivery system.
(g) “Women, Infants, and Children program” means the federal special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children under 42 USC 1786 and this section.
(1m) Program administration. The department may identify an alternate participant as the Women, Infants, and Children program cardholder for purposes of electronic administration of the Women, Infants, and Children program.
(2) Use of funds. From the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (em), the department shall supplement the provision of supplemental foods, nutrition education, and other services, including nutritional counseling, to low-income women, infants, and children who meet the eligibility criteria under the federal special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children authorized under 42 USC 1786. To the extent that funds are available under this section and to the extent that funds are available under 42 USC 1786, the department shall provide the supplemental food, nutrition education, and other services authorized under this section and shall administer that provision in every county. The department may enter into contracts for this purpose.
(3) Authorization of vendors.
(a) The department may authorize a vendor only if the vendor meets all of the following conditions:
1. The vendor submits to the department a completed application.
2. The vendor meets the minimum requirements for authorization, as established by the department by rule under sub. (5) (a) 1.
3. The vendor does not have any outstanding fines, forfeitures, or recoupments, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, that were levied against that vendor for a violation of this section or for a violation of rules promulgated under this section. This subdivision does not apply if the vendor has contested the fine, forfeiture, or recoupment, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, and has not exhausted administrative or judicial review.
4. The vendor is fit and qualified, as determined by the department. In determining whether a vendor is fit and qualified, the department shall consider any relevant conviction of the vendor or any of the vendor’s employees for civil or criminal violations substantially related to the operation of a grocery store or pharmacy.
5. The vendor has an electronic benefit transfer-capable cash register system or payment device, approved by the department, that is able to accurately and securely obtain Women, Infants, and Children program food balances associated with the electronic benefit transfer card, maintain the necessary electronic files such as the approved food list, successfully complete Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer purchases, and process Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer payments.
(bg) The department may limit the number of vendors that it authorizes under this subsection if the department determines that the number of vendors already authorized under this subsection is sufficient to permit participants to obtain approved food conveniently.
(bm) The department shall approve or deny initial authorization within 90 days after the receipt of a completed application. If the application is denied, the department shall give the applicant reasons, in writing, for the denial and shall inform the applicant of the right to appeal that decision under sub. (6).
(c) The department may redeem food instruments only when submitted by a person who is an authorized vendor under this subsection except as provided in sub. (3m).
(d) Each store operated by a business entity is a separate vendor for purposes of this section and is required to have a single, fixed location, except when the authorization of mobile stores is necessary to meet special needs in accordance with 7 CFR 246.4 (1) (14) (xiv). The department shall require that each store be authorized as a vendor separately from other stores operated by the business entity.
(3m) Direct distribution centers.
(a) The department may contract for an alternative system of approved food distribution with an entity other than a vendor only if the entity meets all of the following requirements:
1. The entity meets the minimum requirements established by the department by rule under sub. (5) (a) 1.
2. The entity does not have any outstanding fines, forfeitures, or recoupments, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, that were levied against that entity for a violation of this section or for a violation of rules promulgated under this section. This subdivision does not apply if the entity has contested the fine, forfeiture, or recoupment, or costs, fees, and surcharges imposed under ch. 814, and has not exhausted administrative or judicial review.
3. The entity is fit and qualified, as determined by the department.
4. The entity has an electronic benefit transfer-capable cash register system or payment device, approved by the department, that is able to accurately and securely obtain Women, Infants, and Children program food balances associated with the electronic benefit transfer card, maintain the necessary files, successfully complete Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer purchases, and process Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer payments.
(b) The department may process a payment if submitted by a direct distribution center that is authorized by the department under this subsection.
(4) Prohibited practices.
(a) No person may do any of the following:
1. Accept a food instrument or submit a request to the department for redemption without authorization.
2m. Engage in trafficking.
3. Accept a food instrument other than in exchange for approved food that is selected by the electronic benefit transfer cardholder.
3m. Provide approved food or other commodities to an electronic benefit transfer cardholder in exchange for a food instrument accepted by a 3rd party.
4. Submit a payment request for a dollar amount that is higher than the actual retail price of the item for which a food instrument was used.
5m. Confiscate a food instrument or ask for or enter the electronic benefit transfer cardholder’s personal identification number.
7. Provide materially false information to the department or fail to provide in a timely manner material information that the department requests.
9. Provide to someone other than the department a food instrument; a Women, Infants, and Children program electronic benefit transfer card; or food purchased with a food instrument for something of value.
(b) A person who violates any provision of this subsection is guilty of a Class I felony for the first offense and is guilty of a Class H felony for the 2nd or subsequent offense.
(c)
1. Whenever a court imposes a fine, forfeiture, or recoupment for a violation of this subsection or imposes a forfeiture or recoupment for a violation of rules promulgated under sub. (5), the court shall also impose a supplemental food enforcement surcharge under ch. 814 in an amount of 50 percent of the fine, forfeiture, or recoupment imposed. If multiple offenses are involved, the court shall base the supplemental food enforcement surcharge on the total fine, forfeiture, and recoupment amounts for all offenses. When a fine, forfeiture, or recoupment is suspended in whole or in part, the court shall reduce the supplemental food enforcement surcharge in proportion to the suspension.
2. If a fine or forfeiture is imposed by a court of record, after a determination by the court of the amount due, the clerk of the court shall collect and transmit such amount to the county treasurer as provided in s. 59.40 (2) (m). The county treasurer shall then make payment to the secretary of administration as provided in s. 59.25 (3) (f) 2.
(5) Rules and penalties.
(a) The department shall promulgate rules to establish all of the following:
1. Minimum qualification standards for the authorization of vendors and infant formula suppliers and for the awarding of a contract to an entity under sub. (3m).
2. Standards of operation for authorized vendors and infant formula suppliers and direct distribution centers, including prohibited practices.
3. Minimum requirements for participants, including prohibited practices.
4. Procedures for approving or denying an application to be a participant, including appeal procedures.
(b) A person who violates any rule promulgated under this subsection may be subject to any of the following:
1. Denial of the application to be a participant or authorized vendor or infant formula supplier.
2. Summary suspension or termination of authorization for an authorized vendor or infant formula supplier or, in the case of a direct distribution center, termination of the contract.
3. Disqualification from the program under this section for a vendor, infant formula supplier, or participant.
4. Forfeiture of not less than $10 nor more than $1,000.
5. Recoupment.
6. Civil monetary penalty.
7. Warning letter.
8. Implementation of a corrective action plan.
(c) Whenever the department imposes a forfeiture or recoupment for a violation of rules promulgated under this subsection, the department shall also impose an enforcement assessment in an amount of 50 percent of the forfeiture or recoupment imposed. If multiple offenses are involved, the department shall base the enforcement assessment upon the total forfeiture and recoupment amounts for all offenses. When a forfeiture or recoupment is suspended in whole or in part, the department shall reduce the enforcement assessment in proportion to the suspension.
(d) The department may directly assess a forfeiture provided for under par. (b) 4., recoupment provided for under par. (b) 5. and an enforcement assessment provided for under par. (c). If the department determines that a forfeiture, recoupment or enforcement assessment should be levied, or that authorization or eligibility should be summarily suspended or terminated, for a particular violation or for failure to correct it, the department shall send a notice of assessment, summary suspension or termination to the vendor, infant formula supplier, direct distribution center or participant. The notice shall inform the vendor, infant formula supplier, direct distribution center or participant of the right to a hearing under sub. (6) and shall specify all of the following:
1. The amount of the forfeiture assessed, if any.
2. The amount of the recoupment assessed, if any.
3. The amount of the enforcement assessment, if any.
4. The violation.
5. The statute or rule alleged to have been violated.
6. If applicable, the effective date of the summary suspension or termination.
(e)
1. The termination of authorization of a vendor, infant formula supplier, or direct distribution center or eligibility of a participant shall be effective beginning on the 15th day after receipt of the notice of termination.
2. All forfeitures, recoupments, and enforcement assessments shall be paid to the department within 15 days after receipt of notice of assessment or, if the forfeiture, recoupment, or enforcement assessment is contested under sub. (6), within 10 days after receipt of the final decision after exhaustion of administrative review, unless the final decision is adverse to the department or unless the final decision is appealed and the decision is stayed by court order under sub. (7). The department shall remit all forfeitures paid to the secretary of administration for deposit in the school fund. The department shall deposit all enforcement assessments in the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (gr).
3. The summary suspension of authorization of a vendor, infant formula supplier, or direct distribution center shall be effective immediately upon receipt of the notice under par. (d).
(f) The attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state to collect any forfeiture or recoupment imposed under par. (b) or enforcement assessment imposed under par. (c), if the forfeiture, recoupment or enforcement assessment has not been paid following the exhaustion of all administrative and judicial reviews. The only issue that may be contested in any such action is whether the forfeiture or enforcement assessment has been paid.
(6) Appeal procedure.
(a) Any hearing under s. 227.42 granted by the department under this section may be conducted before the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration.
(b) A person may contest an assessment of forfeiture, recoupment or enforcement assessment, a denial or termination of authorization, a civil monetary penalty assessed in lieu of disqualification, a summary suspension, or a termination of eligibility by sending a written request for hearing under s. 227.44 to the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration within 10 days after the receipt of the notice issued under sub. (3) (bm) or (5) (d). The administrator of the division of hearings and appeals 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 of hearings and appeals shall be the final administrative decision. The division of hearings and appeals shall commence the hearing and issue a final decision within 60 days after receipt of the request for hearing unless all of the parties consent to a later date. Proceedings before the division of hearings and appeals are governed by ch. 227. In any petition for judicial review of a decision by the division of hearings and appeals, the department, if not the petitioner who was in the proceeding before the division of hearings and appeals, shall be the named respondent.
(7) Injunction procedure. No injunction may be issued in any proceeding for review under ch. 227 of a decision of the division of hearings and appeals under sub. (6), suspending or staying the decision except upon application to the circuit court or presiding judge thereof, notice to the department and any other party and hearing. No injunction that delays or prevents a decision of the division of hearings and appeals from becoming effective may be issued in any other proceeding or action in any court unless the parties to the proceeding before the division of hearings and appeals in which the order was made are also parties to the proceeding or action before the court.
(8) Inspection of premises. The department may visit and inspect each authorized vendor and infant formula supplier and each direct distribution center, and for such purpose shall be given unrestricted access to the premises described in the authorization or contract.
(9) Confidentiality of applicant and participant information.
(a) Any information about an applicant or participant, whether it is obtained from the applicant or participant or another source or is generated as a result of application for the Women, Infants, and Children program, that identifies the applicant or participant or a family member of the applicant or participant is confidential.
(b) Except as explicitly permitted under this section, the department shall restrict the use and disclosure of confidential applicant and participant information to any person directly connected with the administration or enforcement of the Women, Infants, and Children program that the department determines has a need to know the information for Women, Infants, and Children program purposes. Persons who may be allowed to access confidential information under this paragraph include personnel from the local agencies, persons under contract with the department to perform research regarding the Women, Infants, and Children program, and persons that are investigating or prosecuting Women, Infants, and Children program violations of federal, state, or local law.
(c) The department or any local agency may use or disclose to public organizations confidential applicant and participant information for the administration of other programs that serve individuals eligible for the Women, Infants, and Children program in accordance with 7 CFR 246.26 (h).
(d) Staff of the department and local agencies who are required by state law to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect may disclose confidential applicant and participant information without the consent of the participant or applicant to the extent necessary to comply with the law.
(e) Except in the case of subpoenas or search warrants, the department and local agencies may disclose confidential applicant and participant information to individuals or entities not listed in this section only if the affected applicant or participant signs a release form authorizing the disclosure and specifying the parties to which the information may be disclosed. The department or local agency shall allow applicants and participants to refuse to sign the release form and shall notify the applicant or participant that signing the form is not a condition of eligibility and refusing to sign the form will not affect the applicant’s or participant’s application or participation in the Women, Infants, and Children program. Release forms authorizing disclosure to private physicians or other health care providers may be included as part of the Women, Infants, and Children program application or certification process. All other requests for applicants or participants to sign voluntary release forms may occur only after the application and certification process is complete.
(f) The department or local agency shall provide to an applicant or participant access to all information he or she has provided to the Women, Infants, and Children program. In the case of an applicant or participant who is an infant or child, the access may be provided to a parent or guardian of the infant or child, assuming that any issues regarding custody or guardianship have been settled. The department or local agency is not required to provide the applicant or participant or parent or guardian of an infant or child applicant or participant access to any other information in the file or record, including documentation of income provided by a 3rd party and staff assessments of an applicant or participant’s condition or behavior, unless required by law or unless the information supports a state or local agency decision being appealed under 7 CFR 246.9.
(10) Confidentiality of vendor information.
(a) Any information about a vendor, whether it is obtained from the vendor or another source, that individually identifies the vendor except for the vendor’s name, address, telephone number, Internet or electronic mail address, store type, and Women, Infants, and Children program authorization status is confidential. The department shall restrict the use or disclosure of confidential vendor information to any of the following:
1. Persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of the Women, Infants, and Children program or the food stamp program under s. 49.79 that the department determines have a need to know the information for purposes of these programs. These persons may include personnel from local agencies and persons investigating or prosecuting violations of Women, Infants, and Children program or food stamp program federal, state, or local laws.
2. Persons directly connected with the administration or enforcement of any federal or state law or local ordinance. Before releasing information to a state or local entity, the department shall enter into a written agreement with the requesting party specifying that the information cannot be used or redisclosed except for purposes directly connected with the administration or enforcement of the federal or state law or local ordinance.
3. A vendor that is subject to an adverse action under sub. (5), including a claim, to the extent that the confidential information concerns the vendor that is subject to the adverse action and is related to the adverse action.
(b) The department may disclose to all authorized vendors and applicants to be a vendor sanctions that have been imposed on vendors if the disclosure identifies only the vendor’s name, address, length of the disqualification or amount of the monetary penalty, and a summary of the reason for the sanction provided in the notice of adverse action under sub. (5). The information under this paragraph may be disclosed only after all administrative and judicial review is exhausted and the department has prevailed regarding the sanction imposed on the vendor or after the time period for requesting administrative and judicial review has expired.
Wis. Stat. § 253.07 Women’s health block grant
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Family planning” means voluntary action by individuals to prevent or aid conception. “Family planning” does not include the performance, promotion, encouragement or counseling in favor of, or referral either directly or through an intermediary for, voluntary termination of pregnancy, but may include the providing of nondirective information explaining any of the following:
1. Prenatal care and delivery.
2. Infant care, foster care or adoption.
(b) “Family planning services” mean counseling by trained personnel regarding family planning; distribution of information relating to family planning; and referral to licensed nurse practitioners within the scope of their practice, licensed physicians or local health departments for consultation, examination, medical treatment and prescriptions for the purpose of family planning. “Family planning” does not include the performance, promotion, encouragement or counseling in favor of, or referral either directly or through an intermediary for, voluntary termination of pregnancy, but may include the providing of nondirective information explaining any of the following:
1. Prenatal care and delivery.
2. Infant care, foster care or adoption.
(c) “Women’s health funds” means state funds appropriated under s. 20.435 (1) (f) or federal funds received by the state under Title V of the federal Social Security Act, 42 USC 701 to 713, that are allocated for the purposes described in this section.
(2) Department’s duties.
(a) The department shall provide for delivery of family planning services throughout the state by developing and by annually reviewing and updating a state plan for community-based family planning programs.
(b) The department shall allocate women’s health funds under its control in a manner which will promote the development and maintenance of an integrated system of community health services. It shall maximize the use of existing community family planning services by encouraging local contractual arrangements.
(c) The department shall coordinate the delivery of family planning services by allocating women’s health funds in a manner which maximizes coordination between the agencies.
(d) The department shall encourage maximum coordination of family planning services between county social services departments, family planning agencies and local health departments to maximize the use of health, social service and welfare resources.
(e) The department shall promulgate all rules necessary to implement and administer this section.
(3) Individual rights, medical privilege.
(a) The request of any person for family planning services or his or her refusal to accept any service shall in no way affect the right of the person to receive public assistance, public health services or any other public service. Nothing in this section may abridge the right of the individual to make decisions concerning family planning, nor may any individual be required to state his or her reason for refusing any offer of family planning services.
(b) Any employee of the agencies engaged in the administration of the provisions of this section may refuse to accept the duty of offering family planning services to the extent that the duty is contrary to his or her personal beliefs. A refusal may not be grounds for dismissal, suspension, demotion, or any other discrimination in employment. The directors or supervisors of the agencies shall reassign the duties of employees in order to carry out the provisions of this section.
(c) All information gathered by any agency, entity or person conducting programs in family planning, other than statistical information compiled without reference to the identity of any individual or other information which the individual allows to be released through his or her informed consent, shall be considered a confidential medical record.
(4) Women’s health block grant services. From the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (f) and subject to sub. (5), the department shall distribute the following amounts for all of the following:
(a) In each fiscal year, $225,000 to establish and maintain 2 city-based clinics for delivery of family planning services under this section, in the cities of Milwaukee, Racine, or Kenosha.
(b) In each fiscal year, $67,500 to subsidize the provision of papanicolaou tests to individuals with low income by entities that receive women’s health funds. In this paragraph, “low income” means adjusted gross income that is less than 200 percent of the poverty line established under 42 USC 9902 (2).
(c) In each fiscal year, $54,000 to subsidize the provision of follow-up cancer screening by entities that receive women’s health funds.
(d) In each fiscal year, $31,500 as grants for employment in communities of licensed registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, licensed advanced practice registered nurses, or licensed physician assistants who are members of a racial minority.
(e) In each fiscal year, $36,000 to initiate, in areas of high incidence of the disease chlamydia, education, and outreach programs to locate, educate, and treat individuals at high risk of contracting the disease chlamydia and their partners.
(5) Women’s health funds.
(a) The department shall distribute women’s health funds only to public entities. These funds may be allocated for any activities for which funds were provided under this section before July 1, 2011, including pregnancy testing; perinatal care coordination and follow-up; cervical cancer screening; sexually transmitted infection prevention, testing, treatment, and follow-up; and general health screening.
(b) Subject to par. (c), a public entity that receives women’s health funds under this section may provide some or all of the funds to other public or private entities provided that the recipient of the funds does not do any of the following:
1. Provide abortion services.
2. Make referrals for abortion services.
3. Have an affiliate that provides abortion services or makes referrals for abortion services.
(c) Providing abortion services, making referrals for abortion services, or having an affiliate that provides abortion services or makes referrals for abortion services solely under the circumstances described in s. 20.927 (2) does not disqualify an entity from receiving women’s health funds from a public entity under par. (b).
Wis. Stat. § 253.08 Pregnancy counseling services
The department shall award grants from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (1) (eg) to individuals and organizations to provide pregnancy counseling services. For a program to be eligible under this section, an applicant must demonstrate that moneys provided in a grant under this section will not be used to engage in any activity specified in s. 20.9275 (2) (a) 1. to 3.
Wis. Stat. § 253.09 Abortion refused; no liability; no discrimination
(1) No hospital shall be required to admit any patient or to allow the use of the hospital facilities for the purpose of performing a sterilization procedure or removing a human embryo or fetus. A physician or any other person who is a member of or associated with the staff of a hospital, or any employee of a hospital in which such a procedure has been authorized, who shall state in writing his or her objection to the performance of or providing assistance to such a procedure on moral or religious grounds shall not be required to participate in such medical procedure, and the refusal of any such person to participate therein shall not form the basis of any claim for damages on account of such refusal or for any disciplinary or recriminatory action against such person.
(2) No hospital or employee of any hospital shall be liable for any civil damages resulting from a refusal to perform sterilization procedures or remove a human embryo or fetus from a person, if such refusal is based on religious or moral precepts.
(3) No hospital, school or employer may discriminate against any person with regard to admission, hiring or firing, tenure, term, condition or privilege of employment, student status or staff status on the ground that the person refuses to recommend, aid or perform procedures for sterilization or the removal of a human embryo or fetus, if the refusal is based on religious or moral precepts.
(4) The receipt of any grant, contract, loan or loan guarantee under any state or federal law does not authorize any court or any public official or other public authority to require:
(a) Such individual to perform or assist in the performance of any sterilization procedure or removal of a human embryo or fetus if the individual’s performance or assistance in the performance of such a procedure would be contrary to the individual’s religious beliefs or moral convictions; or
(b) Such entity to:
1. Make its facilities available for the performance of any sterilization procedure or removal of a human embryo or fetus if the performance of such a procedure in such facilities is prohibited by the entity on the basis of religious beliefs or moral convictions; or
2. Provide any personnel for the performance or assistance in the performance of any sterilization procedure or assistance if the performance or assistance in the performance of such procedure or the removal of a human embryo or fetus by such personnel would be contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of such personnel.
Wis. Stat. § 253.10 Voluntary and informed consent for abortions
(1) Legislative findings and intent.
(a) The legislature finds that:
1. Many women now seek or are encouraged to undergo elective abortions without full knowledge of the medical and psychological risks of abortion, development of the unborn child or of alternatives to abortion. An abortion decision is often made under stressful circumstances.
2. The knowledgeable exercise of a woman’s decision to have an elective abortion depends on the extent to which the woman receives sufficient information to make a voluntary and informed choice between 2 alternatives of great consequence: carrying a child to birth or undergoing an abortion.
3. The U.S. supreme court has stated: “In attempting to ensure that a woman apprehend the full consequences of her decision, the State furthers the legitimate purpose of reducing the risk that a woman may elect an abortion, only to discover later, with devastating psychological consequences, that her decision was not fully informed.” Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 112 U.S. 2791, 2823 (1992).
4. It is essential to the psychological and physical well-being of a woman considering an elective abortion that she receive complete and accurate information on all options available to her in dealing with her pregnancy.
5. The vast majority of elective abortions in this state are performed in clinics that are devoted solely to providing abortions and family planning services. Women who seek elective abortions at these facilities normally do not have a prior patient-physician relationship with the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion, normally do not return to the facility for post-operative care and normally do not continue a patient-physician relationship with the physician who performed or induced the abortion. In most instances, the woman’s only actual contact with the physician occurs simultaneously with the abortion procedure, with little opportunity to receive personal counseling by the physician concerning her decision. Because of this, certain safeguards are necessary to protect a woman’s right to know.
6. A reasonable waiting period is critical to ensure that a woman has the fullest opportunity to give her voluntary and informed consent before she elects to undergo an abortion.
(b) It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this section to further the important and compelling state interests in all of the following:
1. Protecting the life and health of the woman subject to an elective abortion and, to the extent constitutionally permissible, the life of her unborn child.
2. Fostering the development of standards of professional conduct in the practice of abortion.
3. Ensuring that prior to the performance or inducement of an elective abortion, the woman considering an elective abortion receive personal counseling by the physician and be given a full range of information regarding her pregnancy, her unborn child, the abortion, the medical and psychological risks of abortion and available alternatives to the abortion.
4. Ensuring that a woman who decides to have an elective abortion gives her voluntary and informed consent to the abortion procedure.
(2) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Abortion” means the use of an instrument, medicine, drug or other substance or device with intent to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant or for whom there is reason to believe that she may be pregnant and with intent other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the infant after live birth or to remove a dead fetus.
(am) “Abortion-inducing drug” means a drug, medicine, oral hormonal compound, mixture, or preparation, when it is prescribed to terminate the pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant.
(b) “Agency” means a private nonprofit organization or a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23.
(c) “Disability” means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a record of having such an impairment or being regarded as having such an impairment. “Disability” includes any physical disability or developmental disability, as defined in s. 51.01 (5) (a).
(d) “Medical emergency” means a condition, in a physician’s reasonable medical judgment, that so complicates the medical condition of a pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert her death or for which a 24-hour delay in performance or inducement of an abortion will create serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of one or more of the woman’s major bodily functions.
(dr) “Perinatal hospice” means comprehensive support that includes support from the time of a terminal diagnosis of an unborn child through the birth and death of the child and through the postpartum period and may include the supportive care of maternal-fetal medical specialists, obstetricians, neonatologists, anesthesia specialists, specialty nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health professionals, clergy, social workers, and other professionals.
(e) “Probable gestational age of the unborn child” means the number of weeks that have elapsed from the probable time of fertilization of a woman’s ovum, based on the information provided by the woman as to the time of her last menstrual period, her medical history, a physical examination performed by the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or by any other qualified physician and any appropriate laboratory tests performed on her.
(f) “Qualified person assisting the physician” means a social worker, as defined in s. 457.01 (10), a registered nurse or a physician assistant to whom a physician who is to perform or induce an abortion has delegated the responsibility, as the physician’s agent, for providing the information required under sub. (3) (c) 2.
(g) “Qualified physician” means a physician who by training or experience is qualified to provide the information required under sub. (3) (c) 1.
(h) “Viability” has the meaning given in s. 940.15 (1).
(3) Voluntary and informed consent.
(a) Generally. An abortion may not be performed or induced unless the woman upon whom the abortion is to be performed or induced has and, if the woman is a minor and s. 48.375 (4) (a) 2. does not apply, the individual who also gives consent under s. 48.375 (4) (a) 1. have given voluntary and informed written consent under the requirements of this section.
(b) Voluntary consent. Consent under this section to an abortion is voluntary only if the consent is given freely and without coercion by any person. The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion shall determine whether the woman’s consent is, in fact, voluntary. Notwithstanding par. (c) 3., the physician shall make the determination by speaking to the woman in person, out of the presence of anyone other than a person working for or with the physician. If the physician has reason to suspect that the woman is in danger of being physically harmed by anyone who is coercing the woman to consent to an abortion against her will, the physician shall inform the woman of services for victims or individuals at risk of domestic abuse and provide her with private access to a telephone.
(c) Informed consent. Except if a medical emergency exists and subject to sub. (3g), a woman’s consent to an abortion is informed only if all of the following first take place:
1. Except as provided in sub. (3m), at least 24 hours before the abortion is to be performed or induced, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or any other qualified physician has, in person, orally informed the woman of all of the following:
a. Whether or not, according to the reasonable medical judgment of the physician, the woman is pregnant.
b. The probable gestational age of the unborn child, the probable postfertilization age of the unborn child, as defined in s. 253.107 (1) (c), and the numerical odds of survival for an unborn child delivered at that probable postfertilization age, at the time that the information is provided. The physician or other qualified physician shall also provide this information to the woman in writing at this time.
c. The particular medical risks, if any, associated with the woman’s pregnancy.
d. The probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of the woman’s unborn child at the time the information is given.
e. The details of the medical or surgical method that would be used in performing or inducing the abortion.
f. The medical risks associated with the particular abortion procedure that would be used, including the risks of infection, psychological trauma, hemorrhage, endometritis, perforated uterus, incomplete abortion, failed abortion, danger to subsequent pregnancies and infertility.
gm. That the pregnant woman is required to obtain an ultrasound that meets the requirements under sub. (3g), if she has not already had an ultrasound that meets those requirements. The physician, or other qualified physician, shall provide to the pregnant woman a list of providers that perform an ultrasound at no cost to the woman, as described in par. (em) 1.
h. The recommended general medical instructions for the woman to follow after an abortion to enhance her safe recovery and the name and telephone number of a physician to call if complications arise after the abortion.
hm. If the abortion is induced by an abortion-inducing drug, that the woman must return to the abortion facility for a follow-up visit 12 to 18 days after the use of an abortion-inducing drug to confirm the termination of the pregnancy and evaluate the woman’s medical condition.
i. If, in the reasonable medical judgment of the physician, the woman’s unborn child has reached viability, that the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion is required to take all steps necessary under s. 940.15 to preserve and maintain the life and health of the child.
j. Any other information that a reasonable patient would consider material and relevant to a decision of whether or not to carry a child to birth or to undergo an abortion.
jm. That the woman has a right to refuse to consent to an abortion, that her consent is not voluntary if anyone is coercing her to consent to an abortion against her will, and that it is unlawful for the physician to perform or induce the abortion without her voluntary consent.
k. That the woman may withdraw her consent to have an abortion at any time before the abortion is performed or induced.
L. That, except as provided in sub. (3m), the woman is not required to pay any amount for performance or inducement of the abortion until at least 24 hours have elapsed after the requirements of this paragraph are met.
2. Except as provided in sub. (3m), at least 24 hours before the abortion is to be performed or induced, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion, a qualified person assisting the physician or another qualified physician has, in person, orally informed the woman of all of the following:
a. That benefits under the medical assistance program may be available for prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care.
b. That the father of the unborn child is liable for assistance in the support of the woman’s child, if born, even if the father has offered to pay for the abortion.
c. That the woman has a legal right to continue her pregnancy and to keep the child; to place the child in a foster home for 6 months, in a group home for 15 days, or in a shelter care facility approved under s. 938.22 (2) (c) for 20 days; to petition a court for placement of the child in a foster home or group home or with a relative; or to place the child for adoption under a process that involves court approval both of the voluntary termination of parental rights and of the adoption.
d. That the woman has the right to receive and review the printed materials described in par. (d). The physician or qualified person assisting the physician shall physically give the materials to the woman and shall, in person, orally inform her that the materials are free of charge, have been provided by the state and describe the unborn child and list agencies that offer alternatives to abortion and shall provide her with the current updated copies of the printed materials free of charge.
e. If the woman has received a diagnosis of disability for her unborn child, that the printed materials described in par. (d) contain information on community-based services and financial assistance programs for children with disabilities and their families, information on support groups for people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities and information on adoption of children with special needs.
em. That the printed materials described in par. (d) contain information on the availability of perinatal hospice.
f. If the woman asserts that her pregnancy is the result of sexual assault or incest, that the printed materials described in par. (d) contain information on counseling services and support groups for victims of sexual assault and incest and legal protections available to the woman and her child if she wishes to oppose establishment of paternity or to terminate the father’s parental rights.
fm. That the printed materials described in par. (d) contain information on services available for victims or individuals at risk of domestic abuse.
g. That the printed materials described in par. (d) contain information on the availability of public and private agencies and services to provide the woman with information on family planning, as defined in s. 253.07 (1) (a), including natural family planning information.
3. The information that is required under subds. 1. and 2. is provided to the woman in an individual setting that protects her privacy, maintains the confidentiality of her decision and ensures that the information she receives focuses on her individual circumstances. This subdivision may not be construed to prevent the woman from having a family member, or any other person of her choice, present during her private counseling.
4. Whoever provides the information that is required under subd. 1. or 2., or both, provides adequate opportunity for the woman to ask questions, including questions concerning the pregnancy, her unborn child, abortion, foster care and adoption, and provides the information that is requested or indicates to the woman where she can obtain the information.
5. The woman certifies in writing on a form that the department shall provide, prior to performance or inducement of the abortion, that the information that is required under subds. 1. and 2. has been provided to her in the manner specified in subd. 3., that the ultrasound required under sub. (3g) has been performed or that requirement is waived under sub. (3m) (a), that she has been offered the information described in par. (d) and that all of her questions, as specified under subd. 4., have been answered in a satisfactory manner. The physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or the qualified person assisting the physician shall write on the certification form the name of the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion. The woman shall indicate on the certification form who provided the information to her and when it was provided and who performed the ultrasound and when it was performed, unless the ultrasound requirement is waived under sub. (3m) (a). If the ultrasound required under sub. (3g) was performed at a facility other than the facility where the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion is located, the woman shall provide to the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion the certification form described under sub. (3g) (d).
6. Prior to the performance or the inducement of the abortion, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion or the qualified person assisting the physician receives the written certification that is required under subd. 5. The physician or qualified person assisting the physician shall place the certification in the woman’s medical record and shall provide the woman with a copy of the certification.
7. If the woman considering an abortion is a minor, unless s. 48.375 (4) (a) 2. applies, the requirements to provide information to the woman under subds. 1. to 6. apply also to require provision of the information to the individual whose consent is also required under s. 48.375 (4) (a) 1. If the woman considering an abortion is an individual adjudicated incompetent in this state, the requirements to provide information to the woman under subds. 1. to 6. apply to also require provision of the information to the person appointed as the woman’s guardian.
(d) Printed information. By the date that is 60 days after May 16, 1996, the department shall cause to be published in English, Spanish, and other languages spoken by a significant number of state residents, as determined by the department, materials that are in an easily comprehensible format and are printed in type of not less than 12-point size. The department shall distribute a reasonably adequate number of the materials to county departments as specified under s. 46.245 and upon request, shall annually review the materials for accuracy and shall exercise reasonable diligence in providing materials that are accurate and current. The materials shall be all of the following:
1. Geographically indexed materials that are designed to inform a woman about public and private agencies, including adoption agencies, and services that are available to provide information on family planning, as defined in s. 253.07 (1) (a), including natural family planning information, to provide ultrasound imaging services, to assist her if she has received a diagnosis that her unborn child has a disability or if her pregnancy is the result of sexual assault or incest and to assist her through pregnancy, upon childbirth and while the child is dependent. The materials shall include a comprehensive list of the agencies available, a description of the services that they offer and a description of the manner in which they may be contacted, including telephone numbers and addresses, or, at the option of the department, the materials shall include a toll-free, 24-hour telephone number that may be called to obtain an oral listing of available agencies and services in the locality of the caller and a description of the services that the agencies offer and the manner in which they may be contacted. The materials shall provide information on the availability of governmentally funded programs that serve pregnant women and children. Services identified for the woman shall include medical assistance for pregnant women and children under s. 49.47 (4) (am) and 49.471, the availability of family or medical leave under s. 103.10, the Wisconsin works program under ss. 49.141 to 49.161, child care services, child support laws and programs and the credit for expenses for household and dependent care and services necessary for gainful employment under section 21 of the Internal Revenue Code. The materials shall state that it is unlawful to perform an abortion for which consent has been coerced, that any physician who performs or induces an abortion without obtaining the woman’s voluntary and informed consent is liable to her for damages in a civil action and is subject to a civil penalty, that the father of a child is liable for assistance in the support of the child, even in instances in which the father has offered to pay for an abortion, and that adoptive parents may pay the costs of prenatal care, childbirth and neonatal care. The materials shall include information, for a woman whose pregnancy is the result of sexual assault or incest, on legal protections available to the woman and her child if she wishes to oppose establishment of paternity or to terminate the father’s parental rights. The materials shall include information on services in the state that are available for victims or individuals at risk of domestic abuse. The materials shall include information on the availability of perinatal hospice.
2. Materials, including photographs, pictures or drawings, that are designed to inform the woman of the probable anatomical and physiological characteristics of the unborn child at 2-week gestational increments for the first 16 weeks of her pregnancy and at 4-week gestational increments from the 17th week of the pregnancy to full term, including any relevant information regarding the time at which the unborn child could possibly be viable. The pictures or drawings must contain the dimensions of the unborn child and must be realistic and appropriate for the stage of pregnancy depicted. The materials shall be objective, nonjudgmental and designed to convey only accurate scientific information about the unborn child at the various gestational ages, including appearance, mobility, brain and heart activity and function, tactile sensitivity and the presence of internal organs and external members. The materials shall also contain objective, accurate information describing the methods of abortion procedures commonly employed, the medical and psychological risks commonly associated with each such procedure, including the risks of infection, psychological trauma, hemorrhage, endometritis, perforated uterus, incomplete abortion, failed abortion, danger to subsequent pregnancies and infertility, and the medical risks commonly associated with carrying a child to birth.
3. A certification form for use under par. (c) 5. that lists, in a check-off format, all of the information required to be provided under that subdivision.
(e) Requirement to obtain materials. A physician who intends to perform or induce an abortion or another qualified physician, who reasonably believes that he or she might have a patient for whom the information under par. (d) is required to be given, shall request a reasonably adequate number of the materials that are described under par. (d) from the department under par. (d) or from a county department as specified under s. 46.245.
(em) Ultrasound materials and form.
1. The department shall compile a list of facilities, including the names, addresses, and phone numbers, that provide ultrasounds at no cost. The department shall make this list available to the public and shall provide the list to every facility that performs or induces an abortion.
2. The department shall provide to every facility that performs ultrasounds at no cost a list of the requirements under sub. (3g).
3. Any facility that intends to perform ultrasounds on pregnant women who are seeking to have abortions performed or induced shall create a form on which a physician at that facility certifies that the requirements under sub. (3g) are satisfied and provides a date the requirements under sub. (3g) are satisfied.
(f) Medical emergency. If a medical emergency exists, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion necessitated by the medical emergency shall inform the woman, prior to the abortion if possible, of the medical indications supporting the physician’s reasonable medical judgment that an immediate abortion is necessary to avert her death or that a 24-hour delay in performance or inducement of an abortion will create a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of one or more of the woman’s major bodily functions. If possible, the physician shall obtain the woman’s written consent prior to the abortion. The physician shall certify these medical indications in writing and place the certification in the woman’s medical record.
(g) Presumptions. Satisfaction of the conditions required under par. (c) creates a rebuttable presumption that the woman’s consent and, if the woman is a minor and if s. 48.375 (4) (a) 2. does not apply, the consent of the individual who also gives consent under s. 48.375 (4) (a) 1. to an abortion is informed. The presumption of informed consent may be overcome by a preponderance of evidence that establishes that the consent was obtained through fraud, negligence, deception, misrepresentation or omission of a material fact. There is no presumption that consent to an abortion is voluntary.
(3g) Performance of ultrasound.
(a) Except as provided under sub. (3m) and except in a medical emergency and before a person may perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman, the physician who is to perform or induce the abortion, or any physician requested by the pregnant woman, shall do all of the following, or shall arrange for a person who is qualified to perform an ultrasound to do all of the following:
1. Perform an obstetric ultrasound on the pregnant woman using whichever transducer the woman chooses after the options have been explained to her. A facility that offers ultrasounds at no cost to satisfy the requirements of this subsection shall have available transducers to perform both transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds.
2. Provide a simultaneous oral explanation to the pregnant woman during the ultrasound of what the ultrasound is depicting, including the presence and location of the unborn child within the uterus, the number of unborn children, and the occurrence of the death of an unborn child, if such a death has occurred.
3. Display the ultrasound images so that the pregnant woman may view them.
4. Provide to the pregnant woman a medical description of the ultrasound images, including the dimensions of the unborn child and a description of any external features and internal organs that are present and viewable on the image.
5. Provide a means for the pregnant woman to visualize any fetal heartbeat, if a heartbeat is detectable by the ultrasound transducer type chosen by the woman under subd. 1., and provide to the pregnant woman, in a manner understandable to a layperson, a simultaneous oral explanation.
(b) No person may require a pregnant woman to view the ultrasound images that are required to be displayed for and reviewed with her or to visualize any fetal heartbeat. No person, including the pregnant woman, may be subject to any penalty if the pregnant woman declines to view the displayed ultrasound images or to visualize any fetal heartbeat.
(c) The requirement under par. (a) does not apply if the physician, in a writing that is placed in the woman’s medical record, certifies that the pregnant woman is undergoing a medical emergency and certifies the medical condition that constitutes the medical emergency.
(d) A physician other than a physician at the facility where the abortion is to be performed or induced may do or arrange for the performance of the activities necessary to satisfy the requirements of this subsection. A physician at a location other than the facility where the abortion is to be performed or induced who does or arranges for the performance of the activities under par. (a) shall certify on a form described under sub. (3) (em) 3. that the requirements of this subsection are satisfied and shall provide the date on which the requirements are satisfied.
(e) No person who has been convicted of a crime under ss. 940.22, 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.05 to 948.14 may perform any ultrasound that is required under this subsection.
(3m) Pregnancy as the result of sexual assault or incest.
(a) A woman seeking an abortion may waive the 24-hour period required under sub. (3) (c) 1. (intro.) and L. and 2. (intro.) and may waive all of the requirements under sub. (3g) if all of the following are first done:
1. The woman alleges that the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault under s. 940.225 (1), (2) or (3) and states that a report alleging the sexual assault has been made to law enforcement authorities.
2. Whoever provides the information that is required under sub. (3) (c) 1. or 2., or both, confirms with law enforcement authorities that a report on behalf of the woman about the sexual assault has been made to law enforcement authorities, makes a notation to this effect and places the notation in the woman’s medical record.
(b) The 24-hour period required under sub. (3) (c) 1. (intro.) and L. and 2. (intro.) is reduced to at least 2 hours if all of the following are first done:
1. The woman alleges that the pregnancy is the result of incest under s. 948.06 (1) or (1m) and states that a report alleging the incest has been made to law enforcement authorities.
2. Whoever provides the information that is required under sub. (3) (c) 1. or 2., or both, confirms with law enforcement authorities that a report on behalf of the woman about the incest has been made to law enforcement authorities, makes a notation to this effect and places the notation in the woman’s medical record.
(c) Upon receipt by the law enforcement authorities of a request for confirmation under par. (a) 2. or (b) 2., and after reasonable verification of the identity of the woman and her consent to release of the information, the law enforcement authorities shall confirm whether or not the report has been made. No record of a request or confirmation made under this paragraph may be disclosed by the law enforcement authorities.
(4) Hotline. The department may maintain a toll-free telephone number that is available 24 hours each day, to provide the materials specified in sub. (3) (d) 1.
(5) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (3), (3g) (a), or (3m) (a) 2. or (b) 2. shall be required to forfeit not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000. No penalty may be assessed against the woman upon whom the abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.
(6) Civil remedies.
(a) A person who violates sub. (3) or (3m) (a) 2. or (b) 2. is liable to the woman on or for whom the abortion was performed or induced for damages arising out of the performance or inducement of the abortion, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress.
(am) Any of the following individuals may bring a claim for damages, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress, against a person who attempts to perform or performs an abortion in violation of sub. (3g):
1. A woman on whom an abortion is performed or attempted.
2. The father of the aborted unborn child or the unborn child that is attempted to be aborted.
3. Any grandparent of the aborted unborn child or the unborn child that is attempted to be aborted.
(b) A person who has been awarded damages under par. (a) or (am) shall, in addition to any damages awarded under par. (a) or (am), be entitled to not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 in punitive damages for a violation that satisfies a standard under s. 895.043 (3).
(c) A conviction under sub. (5) is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment or collecting the judgment under this subsection.
(d) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under par. (a) or (b) may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.
(dm) A district attorney or the attorney general may institute an action for injunctive relief against any person who performs or attempts to perform an abortion in violation of sub. (3g).
(e) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.
(f) Nothing in this subsection limits the common law rights of a person that are not in conflict with sub. (3).
(7) Affirmative defense. No person is liable under sub. (5) or (6) or under s. 441.07 (1g) (f), 448.02 (3) (a), or 457.26 (2) (gm) for failure under sub. (3) (c) 2. d. to provide the printed materials described in sub. (3) (d) to a woman or for failure under sub. (3) (c) 2. d., e., f., fm., or g. to describe the contents of the printed materials if the person has made a reasonably diligent effort to obtain the printed materials under sub. (3) (e) and s. 46.245 and the department and the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 have not made the printed materials available at the time that the person is required to give them to the woman.
(7m) Confidentiality in court proceedings.
(a) In every proceeding brought under this section, the court, upon motion or sua sponte, shall rule whether the identity of any woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced shall be kept confidential unless the woman waives confidentiality. If the court determines that a woman’s identity should be kept confidential, the court shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and shall direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of individuals from courtrooms or hearing rooms to the extent necessary to safeguard the woman’s identity from public disclosure. If the court issues an order to keep a woman’s identity confidential, the court shall provide written findings explaining why the woman’s identity should be kept confidential, why the order is essential to that end, how the order is narrowly tailored to its purpose, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.
(b) Any person, except for a public official, who brings an action under this section shall do so under a pseudonym unless the person obtains the written consent of the woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced, or attempted to be performed or induced, in violation of this section.
(c) The section may not be construed to allow the identity of a plaintiff or a witness to be concealed from the defendant.
(8) Construction. Nothing in this section may be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion or as making lawful an abortion that is otherwise unlawful.
Wis. Stat. § 253.11 Infant blindness
(1) For the prevention of ophthalmia neonatorum or infant blindness the attending physician or midwife shall use a prophylactic agent approved by the department.
(2) In a confinement not attended by a physician or nurse-midwife, if one or both eyes of an infant become inflamed, swollen and red or show an unnatural discharge at any time within 2 weeks after birth, the nurse, parents, or other person in charge shall report the facts in writing within 6 hours to the local health officer who shall immediately warn the person of the danger. The local health officer shall employ at the expense of the local health department a competent physician to examine and treat the case.
(3) Any person who violates this section may be required to forfeit not more than $1,000.
Wis. Stat. § 253.12 Birth defect prevention and surveillance system
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Birth defect” means any of the following conditions affecting an infant or child that occurs prior to or at birth and that requires medical or surgical intervention or interferes with normal growth and development:
1. A structural deformation, disruption or dysplasia.
2. A genetic, inherited or biochemical disease.
(b) “Pediatric specialty clinic” means a clinic the primary purpose of which is to provide pediatric specialty diagnostic, counseling and medical management services to persons with birth defects by a physician subspecialist.
(c) “Infant or child” means a human being from birth to the age of 2 years.
(d) “Physician” has the meaning given in s. 448.01 (5).
(2) Reporting.
(a) Except as provided in par. (b), all of the following shall report in the manner prescribed by the department under sub. (3) (a) 3. a birth defect in an infant or child that is specified under sub. (3) (a) 2. or (d):
1. A pediatric specialty clinic in which the birth defect is diagnosed in an infant or child or treatment for the birth defect is provided to the infant or child.
2. A physician who diagnoses the birth defect or provides treatment to the infant or child for the birth defect.
(am) Any hospital in which a birth defect is diagnosed in an infant or child or treatment is provided to the infant or child may report the birth defect in the manner prescribed by the department under sub. (3) (a) 3.
(b) No person specified under par. (a) need report under par. (a) if that person knows that another person specified under par. (a) or (am) has already reported to the department the required information with respect to the same birth defect of the same infant or child.
(c) If the department determines that there is a discrepancy in any data reported under this subsection, the department may request a physician, hospital or pediatric specialty clinic to provide to the department information contained in the medical records of patients who have a confirmed or suspected birth defect diagnosis. The physician, hospital or pediatric specialty clinic shall provide that information within 10 working days after the department requests it.
(d) The department may not require a person specified under par. (a) 1. or 2. to report the name of an infant or child for whom a report is made under par. (a) if the parent or guardian of the infant or child states in writing that he or she refuses to release the name or address of the infant or child.
(e) If the address of an infant or child for whom a report is made under par. (a) is included in the report, the department shall encode the address to refer to the same geographical location.
(3) Department duties and powers.
(a) The department shall do all of the following:
1. Establish and maintain an up-to-date registry that documents the diagnosis in this state of any infant or child who has a birth defect, regardless of the residence of the infant or child. The department shall include in the registry information that will facilitate all of the following:
a. Identification of risk factors for birth defects.
b. Investigation of the incidence, prevalence and trends of birth defects using epidemiological surveys.
c. Development of primary preventive strategies to decrease the occurrence of birth defects without increasing abortions.
d. Referrals for early intervention or other appropriate services.
2. Specify by rule any birth defects the department determines the existence of which requires a report under sub. (2) to be submitted to the department and that the council under sub. (4) does not unanimously decide should be reported.
3. Specify by rule the content, format and procedures for submitting a report under sub. (2).
3m. Require persons specified under sub. (2) (a) that are required to report to notify a parent or guardian of the infant or child who is diagnosed with a birth defect of the option to refuse to release the name and address of the infant or child to the registry.
4. Notify the persons specified under sub. (2) (a) of their obligation to report.
(b) The department may monitor the data contained in the reports submitted under sub. (2) to ensure the quality of that data and to make improvements in reporting methods.
(d) The secretary, after reviewing recommendations of the council under sub. (4), shall maintain a list of specific birth defects the existence of which requires a report under sub. (2) to be submitted to the department and that the council unanimously decides are required to be reported.
(4) Council on birth defect prevention and surveillance. The council on birth defect prevention and surveillance shall meet at least 4 times per year and shall do all of the following:
(a) Make recommendations to the department regarding the establishment of a registry that documents the diagnosis in the state of an infant or child who has a birth defect, as required under sub. (3) (a) 1., the specific birth defects for which a report is required under sub. (2) on which the council unanimously decides, the rules that the department is required to promulgate under sub. (3) (a) 3., and on the general content and format of the report under sub. (2) and procedures for submitting the report. The council shall also make recommendations regarding the content of a report that, because of the application of sub. (2) (d), does not contain the name of the subject of the report.
(b) Coordinate with the early intervention interagency coordinating council to facilitate the delivery of early intervention services to children from birth to 3 years with developmental needs.
(c) Advise the secretary and make recommendations regarding the registry established under sub. (3) (a) 1.
(d) Beginning April 1, 2002, and biennially thereafter, submit to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3) a report that details the effectiveness, utilization and progress of the registry established under sub. (3) (a) 1.
(5) Confidentiality.
(a) Any information contained in a report made to the department under sub. (2) that may specifically identify the subject of the report is confidential. The department may not release that confidential information except to the following, under the following conditions:
1. The parent or guardian of an infant or child for whom a report is made under sub. (2).
2. A local health officer, a local birth-to-3 coordinator or an agency under contract with the department to administer the children with special health care needs program, upon receipt of a written request and informed written consent from the parent or guardian of the infant or child. The local health officer may disclose information received under this subdivision only to the extent necessary to render and coordinate services and follow-up care for the infant or child or to conduct a health, demographic or epidemiological investigation. The local health officer shall destroy all information received under this subdivision within one year after receiving it.
3. A physician, hospital or pediatric specialty clinic reporting under sub. (2), for the purpose of verification of information reported by the physician, hospital or pediatric specialty clinic.
4. A representative of a federal or state agency upon written request and to the extent that the information is necessary to perform a legally authorized function of that agency, including investigation of causes, mortality, methods of prevention and early intervention, treatment or care of birth defects, associated diseases or disabilities. The information may not include the name or address of an infant or child with a condition reported under sub. (2). The department shall notify the parent or guardian of an infant or child about whom information is released under this subdivision, of the release. The representative of the federal or state agency may disclose information received under this paragraph only as necessary to perform the legally authorized function of that agency for which the information was requested.
5. The state registrar, the vital records system, and other data systems maintained by the department or another state or federal agency for purposes including determining whether multiple reports are made for an infant or child, matching reported information on infants or children with vital records and other registries, and making referrals to intervention and treatment.
(b) The department may also release confidential information to a person proposing to conduct research if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The person proposing to conduct the research applies in writing to the department for approval to perform the research and the department approves the application. The application for approval shall include a written protocol for the proposed research, the person’s professional qualifications to perform the proposed research and any other information requested by the department.
2. The research is for the purpose of studying birth defects surveillance and prevention.
3. If the research will involve direct contact with a subject of a report made under sub. (2) or with any member of the subject’s family, the department determines that the contact is necessary for meeting the research objectives and that the research is in response to a public health need or is for the purpose of or in connection with birth defects surveillance or investigations sponsored and conducted by public health officials. The department must also determine that the research has been approved by a certified institutional review board or a committee for the protection of human subjects in accordance with the regulations for research involving human subjects required by the federal department of health and human services for projects supported by that agency. Contact may only be made with the written informed consent of the parent or guardian of the subject of the report and in a manner and method approved by the department.
4. The person agrees in writing that the information provided will be used only for the research approved by the department.
5. The person agrees in writing that the information provided will not be released to any person except other persons involved in the research.
6. The person agrees in writing that the final product of the research will not reveal information that may specifically identify the subject of a report made under sub. (2).
7. The person agrees in writing to any other conditions imposed by the department.
(6) Information not admissible. Information collected under this section is not admissible as evidence during the course of a civil or criminal action or proceeding or an administrative proceeding, except for the purpose of enforcing this section.
(7) Funding. From the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (1) (gm), the department shall allocate $95,000 annually for the birth defect prevention and surveillance system under this section.
Wis. Stat. § 253.13 Tests for congenital disorders
(1) Tests; requirements.
(a) In this subsection, “nurse-midwife” means an individual who is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse and possesses a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation under s. 441.09.
(b) The attending physician or nurse-midwife shall cause every infant born in each hospital or maternity home, prior to its discharge therefrom, to be subjected to tests for congenital and metabolic disorders, as specified in rules promulgated by the department. If the infant is born elsewhere than in a hospital or maternity home, the attending physician, nurse-midwife, or birth attendant who attended the birth shall cause the infant, within one week of birth, to be subjected to these tests.
(2) Tests; diagnostic, dietary and follow-up counseling program; fees. The department shall contract with the state laboratory of hygiene to perform any tests under this section that are laboratory tests and to furnish materials for use in the tests. The department shall provide necessary diagnostic services, special dietary treatment as prescribed by a physician for a patient with a congenital disorder as identified by tests under this section, and follow-up counseling for the patient and his or her family. The department shall impose a fee, by rule, for tests performed under this section sufficient to pay for services provided under the contract. The department shall include as part of the fee established by rule amounts to fund the provision of diagnostic and counseling services, special dietary treatment, and periodic evaluation of infant screening programs, the costs of consulting with experts under sub. (5), the costs of administering the hearing screening program under s. 253.115, and the costs of administering the congenital disorder program under this section and, except as otherwise provided in this subsection, shall credit these amounts to the appropriation accounts under s. 20.435 (1) (ja) and (jb). Beginning on July 7, 2023, the fee imposed by the department under this subsection cannot be less than $195. At least $75 of this amount shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.285 (1) (i).
(3) Exceptions. This section shall not apply if the parents or legal guardian of the child object thereto on the grounds that the test conflicts with their religious tenets and practices or with their personal convictions. No tests may be performed under this section unless the parents or legal guardian are fully informed of the purposes of testing under this section and have been given reasonable opportunity to object as authorized in this subsection to such tests.
(4) Confidentiality and reporting.
(a) The state laboratory of hygiene shall provide its laboratory test results to the physician, who shall advise the parents or legal guardian of the results. No information obtained under this section from the parents or guardian or from tests performed under this section may be disclosed except for use in statistical data compiled by the department without reference to the identity of any individual and except as provided in s. 146.82 (2). The state laboratory of hygiene board shall provide to the department the names and addresses of parents of infants who have positive test results.
(b) The department may require reporting in connection with the tests performed under this section for use in statistical data compilation and for evaluation of infant screening programs.
(5) Related services. The department shall disseminate information to families whose children suffer from congenital disorders and to women of child-bearing age with a history of congenital disorders concerning the need for and availability of follow-up counseling and special dietary treatment and the necessity for testing infants. The department shall also refer families of children who suffer from congenital disorders to available health services programs and shall coordinate the provision of these programs. The department shall periodically consult appropriate experts in reviewing and evaluating the state’s infant screening programs.
Wis. Stat. § 253.14 Sudden infant death syndrome
(1) The department shall prepare and distribute printed informational materials relating to sudden infant death syndrome. The materials shall be directed toward the concerns of parents of victims of sudden infant death syndrome and shall be distributed to maximize availability to the parents.
(2) The department shall make available upon request follow-up counseling by trained health care professionals for parents and families of victims of sudden infant death syndrome.
Wis. Stat. § 253.15 Shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Board” means the child abuse and neglect prevention board.
(b) “County department” means a county department of human services or social services under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23.
(c) “Health care provider” means any person who is licensed, registered, permitted, or certified by the department of health services or the department of safety and professional services to provide health care services in this state.
(d) “Impacted baby” means an infant or young child who suffers death or great bodily harm as a result of being thrown against a surface, hard or soft.
(e) “Nonprofit organization” means an organization described in section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is dedicated to the prevention of shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies and the support of families affected by shaken baby syndrome or an impacted baby.
(em) “Nurse-midwife” means an individual who is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse and possesses a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation under s. 441.09.
(f) “Shaken baby syndrome” means a severe form of brain injury that occurs when an infant or young child is shaken forcibly enough to cause the brain to rebound against his or her skull.
(2) Informational materials. The board shall purchase or prepare or arrange with a nonprofit organization to prepare printed and audiovisual materials relating to shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies. The materials shall include information regarding the identification and prevention of shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies, the grave effects of shaking or throwing on an infant or young child, appropriate ways to manage crying, fussing, or other causes that can lead a person to shake or throw an infant or young child, and a discussion of ways to reduce the risks that can lead a person to shake or throw an infant or young child. The materials shall be prepared in English, Spanish, and other languages spoken by a significant number of state residents, as determined by the board. The board shall make those written and audiovisual materials available to all hospitals, maternity homes, and nurse-midwives that are required to provide or make available materials to parents under sub. (3) (a) 1., to the department and to all county departments and nonprofit organizations that are required to provide the materials to child care providers under sub. (4) (d), and to all school boards and nonprofit organizations that are permitted to provide the materials to pupils in one of grades 5 to 8 and in one of grades 10 to 12 under sub. (5). The board shall also make those written materials available to all county departments and Indian tribes that are providing home visitation services under s. 48.983 (4) (b) 1. and to all providers of prenatal, postpartum, and young child care coordination services under s. 49.45 (44). The board may make available the materials required under this subsection to be made available by making those materials available at no charge on the board’s Internet site.
(3) Information to parents.
(a)
1. Before an infant who is born at or on route to a hospital or maternity home is discharged from the hospital or maternity home, the attending physician, the attending nurse midwife, or another trained, designated staff member of the hospital or maternity home shall provide to the parents of the infant, without cost to those parents, a copy of the written materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2), shall inform those parents of the availability of the audiovisual materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2), and shall make those audiovisual materials available for those parents to view.
2. Within 7 days after the birth of an infant who is born elsewhere than at or on route to a hospital or maternity home, the attending physician, the attending nurse-midwife, or a trained, designated birth attendant who attended the birth of the child shall provide to the parents of the infant, without cost to those parents, a copy of the written materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2) and shall inform those parents of the availability of the audiovisual materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2).
(b) At the same time that the written materials and explanation are provided under par. (a) 1., or 2., the person who provides the written materials and explanation shall also provide the parent with a form prepared by the board in English, Spanish, and other languages spoken by a significant number of state residents, as determined by the board, that includes all of the following:
1. A statement that the parent has been advised as to the grave effects of shaking or throwing on an infant or young child and of appropriate ways to manage crying, fussing, or other causes that can lead a person to shake or throw an infant or young child.
2. A telephone number that the parent may call to obtain assistance on how to care for an infant or young child, which may be the telephone number of the infant’s physician, the hospital or maternity home at or on route to which the infant was born, the nurse-midwife that attended the birth of the infant, if born elsewhere than at or on route to a hospital or maternity home, or a help line established by the hospital, maternity home, or nurse-midwife.
3. A statement that the parent will share the information specified in subds. 1. and 2. with all persons who provide care for the infant.
(c) In preparing the form under par. (b), the board may not include in the form a signature line for the parent to sign or any other requirement that the parent sign the form.
(d) The person who provides the written materials and explanation under par. (a) 1. or 2. and the form under par. (b) shall include in the records of the hospital, maternity home, or nurse-midwife relating to the infant a statement that the written materials, explanation, and form have been provided as required under pars. (a) 1. or 2. and (b) and that the audiovisual materials have been made available as required under par. (a) 1. or that the parents have been informed of their availability as required under par. (a) 2., whichever is applicable.
(4) Training for child care providers.
(a) Before an individual may obtain a license to operate a child care center under s. 48.65 for the care and supervision of children under 5 years of age or enter into a contract to provide a child care program under s. 120.13 (14) for the care and supervision of children under 5 years of age, the individual shall receive training relating to shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies that is approved or provided by the department or that is provided by a nonprofit organization arranged by the department to provide that training.
(b) Before an individual may be certified under s. 48.651 as a child care provider of children under 5 years of age, the individual shall receive training relating to shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies that is approved or provided by the certifying department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, county department, or agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) or that is provided by a nonprofit organization arranged by that department, county department, or contracted agency to provide that training.
(c) Before an employee or volunteer of a child care center licensed under s. 48.65, a child care provider certified under s. 48.651, or a child care program established under s. 120.13 (14) may provide care and supervision for children under 5 years of age, the employee or volunteer shall receive training relating to shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies that is approved or provided by the department or the certifying county department or agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) or that is provided by a nonprofit organization arranged by the department or that county department or contracted agency to provide that training.
(d) The person conducting the training shall provide to the individual receiving the training, without cost to the individual, a copy of the written materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2), a presentation of the audiovisual materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2), and an oral explanation of those written and audiovisual materials.
(e) Any training relating to shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies that an individual obtains in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), counts toward satisfying the training requirements under par. (a), (b), or (c), if the individual demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the training obtained in that connection is substantially equivalent to the training required under par. (a), (b), or (c).
(5) Instruction for pupils. Each school board shall provide or arrange with a nonprofit organization or health care provider to provide age-appropriate instruction relating to shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies for pupils in one of grades 5 to 8 and in one of grades 10 to 12. The person providing the instruction may provide to each pupil receiving the instruction a copy of the written materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2), a presentation of the audiovisual materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2), and an oral explanation of those written and audiovisual materials.
(6) Information to home visitation or care coordination services recipients. A county department or Indian tribe that is providing home visitation services under s. 48.983 (4) (b) 1. and a provider of prenatal, postpartum, and young child care coordination services under s. 49.45 (44) shall provide to a recipient of those services, without cost, a copy of the written materials purchased or prepared under sub. (2) and an oral explanation of those materials.
(7) Immunity from liability.
(a) The board, a nonprofit organization specified under sub. (2), or a person from whom the board purchases the materials specified in sub. (2) is immune from liability for any damages resulting from any good faith act or omission in preparing and distributing, or in failing to prepare and distribute, the materials specified in sub. (2).
(b) A hospital, maternity home, physician, nurse-midwife, other staff member of a hospital or maternity home, or other birth attendant attending the birth of an infant is immune from liability for any damages resulting from any good faith act or omission in providing or failing to provide the written and audiovisual materials specified in sub. (3) (a) or the form specified in sub. (3) (b).
(c) The department, a county department, a nonprofit organization specified under sub. (4) (a), (b), or (c), or any other person that provides the training under sub. (4) (a), (b), or (c) and the written and audiovisual materials and oral explanation specified in sub. (4) (d) is immune from liability for any damages resulting from any good faith act or omission in approving, providing, or failing to approve or provide that training, those materials, and that explanation. A school board is immune from liability for any damages resulting from any good faith act or omission in connection with the provision of, or the failure to provide, the training under sub. (4) (a) or (c) and the written and audiovisual materials and oral explanation specified in sub. (4) (d).
(d) A school board, nonprofit organization, or health care provider specified under sub. (5) is immune from liability for any damages resulting from any good faith act or omission in providing or failing to provide the instruction and the written and audiovisual materials and oral explanation specified in sub. (5).
(e) A county department or Indian tribe that is providing home visitation services under s. 48.983 (4) (b) 1. and a provider of prenatal, postpartum, and young child care coordination services under s. 49.45 (44) is immune from liability for any damages resulting from any good faith act or omission in providing or failing to provide the written materials and oral explanation specified in sub. (6).
(8) Identification of shaken or impacted babies. The department of health services shall identify all infants and young children who have shaken baby syndrome or who are impacted babies and all infants and young children who have died as a result of being shaken or thrown by using the statewide automated child welfare information system established under s. 48.47 (7g) and child fatality information compiled by the department of justice. For each infant or young child so identified, the department of health services shall document the age, sex, and other characteristics of the infant or young child that are relevant to the prevention of shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies and, if known, the age, sex, employment status, and residence of the person who shook or threw the infant or young child, the relationship of that person to the infant or young child, and any other characteristics of that person that are relevant to the prevention of shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies.
Wis. Stat. § 253.16 Reducing fetal and infant mortality and morbidity
(1) In this section, “infant” means a child from birth to 12 months of age.
(2) In a county with a population of at least 190,000 but less than 230,000, from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (1) (eu), the department shall award a grant in each fiscal year to the city health department to provide a program of services to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity.
(2m)
(a) At least 90 percent of the moneys awarded under sub. (2) and distributed under 2009 Wisconsin Act 28, section 9122 (5v) (j), shall be used for direct services provided to families participating in the program under sub. (2).
(b) The moneys referenced in par. (a) may be used as the state share of Medical Assistance for case management services provided under s. 49.45 (25).
(3) Notwithstanding s. 251.08, in implementing the program under sub. (2), the city health department shall, directly or by contract, do all of the following in or on behalf of areas of the county that are encompassed by the zip codes 53402 to 53406 and that are at risk for high fetal and infant mortality and morbidity, as determined by the department of health services:
(a) Collaborate with faculty in the health disciplines of an academic institution and with a hospital that serves significant populations at high risk for poor birth outcomes, including low birth weights, prematurity, and gestational diabetes, to identify and implement best practices and evidence-based practices to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity.
(b) Identify necessary preconception, prenatal, and postnatal services and assess the availability of these services for women in the areas who lack insurance coverage or who are recipients of the Medical Assistance program or the Badger Care health care program.
(c) Develop and implement models of care for all women in the areas who meet risk criteria, as specified by the department of health services, and provide comprehensive prenatal and postnatal care coordination and other services, including home visits, by registered nurses who are public health nurses or who meet the qualifications of public health nurses, as specified in s. 250.06 (1), or by social workers, as defined in s. 252.15 (1) (er).
(d) Conduct social marketing, including outreach, assuring health care access, public awareness programs, community health education programs, and other best practices and evidence-based practices, to reduce fetal and infant mortality and morbidity.
(e) Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the services provided under pars. (c) and (d).
(f) Maximize and leverage additional resources, including the maximum allowable Medical Assistance reimbursement for services provided under the program under sub. (2).
(4) The city health department shall prepare a report on fetal and infant mortality and morbidity in areas of the county that are encompassed by the zip codes 53402 to 53406. The report shall be derived, at least in part, from a multidisciplinary review of all fetal and infant deaths in the relevant year and shall specify causation found for the mortality and morbidity. The city health department shall submit the report to all of the following:
(a) The city of Racine.
(b) The department of health services.
(c) The legislature, in the manner provided under s. 13.172 (3).
(d) The governor.
(5) The department shall do all of the following:
(a) Work with the city and the city health department by providing oversight and approval of the program under sub. (2).
(b) Explore ways to maximize the use of federally qualified health centers for the program under sub. (2).
Wis. Stat. § 253.065 Dietetic internship program
(1) The department shall establish a dietetic internship program with federal moneys from the special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children authorized under 42 USC 1786. If the department determines that it may not implement or fund the program without a federal waiver, the department shall, no later than 6 months after March 26, 2016, request a waiver from the secretary of the federal department of agriculture. The department shall implement the program unless the federal department of agriculture disapproves the waiver request or the department is prohibited from using federal moneys to establish the program.
(2) Subject to sub. (8), the department, through the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children under s. 253.06, may sponsor the number of interns per year determined by the department, beginning with a first class of interns in September 2017.
(3) Unless the department grants an exception, in order to be eligible for the internship program under sub. (1), an applicant must, at the time of his or her selection, be employed as a nutritionist for the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children under s. 253.06 by either the department or a local agency and have met the educational requirements under s. 448.78 (1m) (c).
(4) The department or local agency shall continue to pay an employee who participates in the internship program his or her salary for noninternship-related work hours from the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children under s. 253.06 (2). The department or local agency may pay an employee who participates in the internship program his or her salary for internship-related work hours from the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children under s. 253.06 (2) as funded from the federal special supplemental food program for women, infants, and children authorized under 42 USC 1786.
(5) The department shall issue to each individual who successfully completes the dietetic internship program under this section a certificate of completion that the individual may submit as verification of the completion of more than 900 hours of qualifying dietetics practice under s. 448.78 (1m) (d). The dietitians affiliated credentialing board shall accept certificates of completion issued under this subsection as satisfactory evidence under s. 448.78 (1m) (d).
(6) Each participant in the internship program shall agree to work at least 24 months for the department or a local agency as part of the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children under s. 253.06 upon successful completion of his or her internship. If the participant voluntarily terminates his or her employment with the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children before completing his or her obligated time under this subsection, or fails to take the dietetic registration examination within one year of internship completion, the participant must reimburse the department or a local agency for any incurred costs associated with his or her participation in the internship, including any income paid for internship-related work.
(7)
(a) The department may promulgate rules necessary for administration of this section.
(b) For the internship program under this section, the department shall promulgate rules to establish all of the following:
1. Training criteria and program completion standards consistent with the accreditation standards required by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
2. Application procedures.
3. In addition to the requirement under sub. (3), criteria and requirements for intern selection.
4. Procedures for administration of the program by the supplemental food program for women, infants, and children.
(8) The department shall seek accreditation for the dietetic internship program under this section from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics. The department may not begin accepting applicants for the internship program unless the program is granted accreditation by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics.
Wis. Stat. § 253.075 Family planning and related preventive health services grant
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “AIDS” means acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
(b) “Family planning” has the meaning given in s. 253.07 (1) (a).
(c) “Family planning and related preventive health services funds” means federal funds received by the state under Title X of the federal Public Health Service Act, 42 USC 300 to 300a-6, that are allocated for the purposes described in this section.
(d) “Family planning services” has the meaning given in s. 253.07 (1) (b).
(e) “Federally qualified health center” means a center that meets the requirements for federal funding under 42 USC 1396d (1) of the federal Public Health Service Act, and any amendments to that act, and that has been designated as a federally qualified health center by the federal government.
(f) “HIV” has the meaning given in s. 252.01 (1m).
(g) “Hospital” has the meaning given in s. 50.33 (2).
(2) Department’s duties.
(a) Beginning with the 2018 application deadline and before each subsequent application deadline thereafter for grant funds under Title X of the federal Public Health Service Act, 42 USC 300 to 300a-6, the department shall apply to the federal department of health and human services for grant funds under Title X of the federal Public Health Service Act, 42 USC 300 to 300a-6.
(b) The department shall promulgate all rules necessary to implement and administer this section.
(3) Individual rights, medical privilege.
(a) The request of any person for family planning services or his or her refusal to accept any service shall in no way affect the right of the person to receive public assistance, public health services, or any other public service. Nothing in this section may abridge the right of the individual to make decisions concerning family planning nor may any individual be required to state his or her reason for refusing any offer of family planning services.
(b) Any employee of the agencies engaged in the administration of the provisions of this section may refuse to accept the duty of offering family planning services to the extent that the duty is contrary to his or her personal beliefs. A refusal may not be grounds for dismissal, suspension, demotion, or any other discrimination in employment. The directors or supervisors of the agencies shall reassign the duties of employees in order to carry out the provisions of this section.
(c) All information gathered by any agency, entity, or person conducting programs in family planning, other than statistical information compiled without reference to the identity of any individual or other information that the individual allows to be released through his or her informed consent, shall be considered a confidential medical record.
(4) Family planning and preventive health services. Subject to sub. (5), the department shall distribute grants received under sub. (2) that may be used for family planning and related preventive health services, including any of the following:
(a) Screening for cervical cancer and breast cancer.
(b) Screening for high blood pressure, anemia, and diabetes.
(c) Screening for sexually transmitted diseases and HIV or AIDS.
(d) Infertility services.
(e) Health education.
(f) Pregnancy testing.
(g) Contraceptive services.
(h) Pelvic exams.
(i) Referrals for other health and social services.
(5) Family planning and related preventive health services funds.
(a) The department shall distribute family planning and related preventive health services funds to public entities, including state, county, and local health departments and health clinics, and the well-woman program under s. 255.06. If any moneys remain, the department may then distribute grant funds under this section to nonpublic entities that are hospitals or federally qualified health centers that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care.
(b) Subject to par. (c), a public entity that receives family planning and related preventive health services funds under this section may provide some or all of the funds to other public or private entities provided that the recipient of the funds does not do any of the following:
1. Provide abortion services.
2. Have an affiliate that provides abortion services.
(c) Providing abortion services or having an affiliate that provides abortion services solely under the circumstances described in s. 20.927 (2) does not disqualify an entity from receiving family planning and preventive health services grant funds from a public entity under par. (b).
Wis. Stat. § 253.085 Outreach to low-income pregnant women
(1) The department shall conduct an outreach program to make low-income pregnant women aware of the importance of early prenatal and infant health care and of the availability of medical assistance benefits under subch. IV of ch. 49 and other types of funding for prenatal and infant care, to refer women to prenatal and infant care services in the community and to make follow-up contacts with women referred to prenatal and infant care services.
(2) In addition to the amounts appropriated under s. 20.435 (1) (ev), the department shall distribute $250,000 for each fiscal year from moneys received under the maternal and child health services block grant program, 42 USC 701 to 709, for the outreach program under this section.
Wis. Stat. § 253.095 Requirements to perform abortions
(1) Definition. In this section, “abortion” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (a).
(2) Admitting privileges required. No physician may perform an abortion, as defined in s. 253.10 (2) (a), unless he or she has admitting privileges in a hospital within 30 miles of the location where the abortion is to be performed.
(3) Penalty. Any person who violates this section shall be required to forfeit not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000. No penalty may be assessed against the woman upon whom the abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.
(4) Civil remedies.
(a) Any of the following individuals may bring a claim for damages, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress, against a person who performs, or attempts to perform, an abortion in violation of this section:
1. A woman on whom an abortion is performed or attempted.
2. The father of the aborted unborn child or the unborn child that is attempted to be aborted.
3. Any grandparent of the aborted unborn child or the child that is attempted to be aborted.
(b) A person who has been awarded damages under par. (a) shall, in addition to any damages awarded under par. (a), be entitled to not less than $1,000 nor more than $10,000 in punitive damages for a violation that satisfies a standard under s. 895.043 (3).
(c) A conviction under sub. (3) is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment, or collecting the judgment under this subsection.
(d) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under par. (a) or (b) may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.
(e) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.
(f) Nothing in this subsection limits the common law rights of a person that are not in conflict with sub. (2).
(5) Confidentiality in court proceedings.
(a) In every proceeding brought under this section, the court, upon motion or sua sponte, shall rule whether the identity of any woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced shall be kept confidential unless the woman waives confidentiality. If the court determines that a woman’s identity should be kept confidential, the court shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and shall direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of individuals from courtrooms or hearing rooms to the extent necessary to safeguard the woman’s identity from public disclosure. If the court issues an order to keep a woman’s identity confidential, the court shall provide written findings explaining why the woman’s identity should be kept confidential, why the order is essential to that end, how the order is narrowly tailored to its purpose, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.
(b) Any person, except for a public official, who brings an action under this section shall do so under a pseudonym unless the person obtains the written consent of the woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced, or attempted to be performed or induced, in violation of this section.
(c) This section may not be construed to allow the identity of a plaintiff or a witness to be concealed from the defendant.
Wis. Stat. § 253.105 Prescription and use of abortion-inducing drugs
(1) In this section:
(a) “Abortion” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (a).
(b) “Abortion-inducing drug” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (am).
(c) “Physician” has the meaning given in s. 448.01 (5).
(2) No person may give an abortion-inducing drug to a woman unless the physician who prescribed, or otherwise provided, the abortion-inducing drug for the woman:
(a) Performs a physical exam of the woman before the information is provided under s. 253.10 (3) (c) 1.
(b) Is physically present in the room when the drug is given to the woman.
(3) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (2) is guilty of a Class I felony. No penalty may be assessed against a woman to whom an abortion-inducing drug is given.
(4) Civil remedies.
(a) Any of the following persons has a claim against a person who intentionally or recklessly violates sub. (2):
1. A woman to whom an abortion-inducing drug was given in violation of sub. (2).
2. If the abortion-inducing drug was given to a minor in violation of sub. (2), a parent or guardian of the minor.
3. The father of the unborn child aborted as the result of an abortion-inducing drug given in violation of sub. (2), unless the pregnancy of the person to whom the abortion-inducing drug was given was the result of sexual assault in violation of s. 940.225, 944.06, 948.02, 948.025, 948.06, 948.085, or 948.09 and the violation was committed by the father.
(b) A claim for relief under par. (a) may include:
1. Damages arising out of the inducement of the abortion, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress.
2. Punitive damages for a violation that satisfies the standard under s. 895.043 (3).
(c) Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under this subsection may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.
(d) A conviction under sub. (3) is not a condition precedent to bringing an action, obtaining a judgment, or collecting a judgment under this subsection.
(e) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.
(f) Nothing in this section limits the common law rights of a person that are not in conflict with sub. (2).
(5) Confidentiality in court proceedings.
(a) In every proceeding brought under this section, the court, upon motion or sua sponte, shall rule whether the identity of any woman upon whom an abortion was induced or attempted to be induced shall be kept confidential unless the woman waives confidentiality. If the court determines that a woman’s identity should be kept confidential, the court shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and shall direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of individuals from courtrooms or hearing rooms to the extent necessary to safeguard the woman’s identity from public disclosure. If the court issues an order to keep a woman’s identity confidential, the court shall provide written findings explaining why the woman’s identity should be kept confidential, why the order is essential to that end, how the order is narrowly tailored to its purpose, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.
(b) Any person, except for a public official, who brings an action under this section shall do so under a pseudonym unless the person obtains the written consent of the woman upon whom an abortion was induced, or attempted to be induced, in violation of this section.
(c) The section may not be construed to allow the identity of a plaintiff or a witness to be concealed from the defendant.
(6) Construction. Nothing in this section may be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion or as making lawful an abortion that is otherwise unlawful.
Wis. Stat. § 253.107 Probable postfertilization age; later-term abortions
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Abortion” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (a).
(b) “Medical emergency” has the meaning given in s. 253.10 (2) (d).
(c) “Probable postfertilization age of the unborn child” means the number of weeks that have elapsed from the probable time of fertilization of a woman’s ovum.
(2) Probable postfertilization age. Except in the case of a medical emergency, no physician may perform or induce an abortion, or attempt to perform or induce an abortion, unless the physician performing or inducing it has first made a determination of the probable postfertilization age of the unborn child or relied upon such a determination made by another physician.
(3) Protection of unborn child capable of feeling pain from abortions.
(a) No person shall perform or induce or attempt to perform or induce an abortion upon a woman when the unborn child is considered capable of experiencing pain unless the woman is undergoing a medical emergency. For purposes of this subsection, an unborn child is considered to be capable of experiencing pain if the probable postfertilization age of the unborn child is 20 or more weeks.
(b) When the unborn child is considered capable of experiencing pain and the pregnant woman is undergoing a medical emergency, the physician shall terminate the pregnancy in the manner that, in reasonable medical judgment, provides the best opportunity for the unborn child to survive, unless the termination of the pregnancy in that manner poses a greater risk either of the death of the pregnant woman or of the substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function of the woman than other available methods.
(4) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (3) (a) is guilty of a Class I felony. No penalty may be assessed against a woman upon whom an abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.
(5) Civil remedies; injunctions.
(a) Any of the following individuals may bring a claim for damages, including damages for personal injury and emotional and psychological distress, against a person who performs, or attempts to perform, an abortion in violation of this section:
1. A woman on whom an abortion is performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced.
2. The father of the aborted unborn child or the unborn child that is attempted to be aborted, unless the pregnancy is the result of sexual assault under s. 940.225 (1), (2), or (3) or incest under s. 948.06 (1) or (1m).
(b) A person who has been awarded damages under par. (a) shall, in addition to any damages awarded under par. (a), be entitled to punitive damages for a violation that satisfies a standard under s. 895.043 (3).
(c)
1. Notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), a person who recovers damages under par. (a) or (b) may also recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with the action.
2. If a defendant prevails in an action under par. (a) and the court finds the action was frivolous or brought in bad faith, notwithstanding s. 814.04 (1), the defendant may recover reasonable attorney fees incurred in connection with defending the action.
(d) A contract is not a defense to an action under this subsection.
(e) Nothing in this subsection limits the common law rights of a person that are not in conflict with sub. (2) or (3).
(f) A prosecuting attorney with appropriate jurisdiction may bring an action for injunctive relief against a person who has intentionally or recklessly violated this section.
(6) Confidentiality in court proceedings.
(a) In every proceeding brought under this section, the court, upon motion or sua sponte, shall rule whether the identity of any woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced or attempted to be performed or induced shall be kept confidential unless the woman waives confidentiality. If the court determines that a woman’s identity should be kept confidential, the court shall issue orders to the parties, witnesses, and counsel and shall direct the sealing of the record and exclusion of individuals from courtrooms or hearing rooms to the extent necessary to safeguard the woman’s identity from public disclosure. If the court issues an order to keep a woman’s identity confidential, the court shall provide written findings explaining why the woman’s identity should be kept confidential, why the order is essential to that end, how the order is narrowly tailored to its purpose, and why no reasonable less restrictive alternative exists.
(b) Any person, except for a public official, who brings an action under this section shall do so under a pseudonym unless the person obtains the written consent of the woman upon whom an abortion was performed or induced, or attempted to be performed or induced, in violation of this section.
(c) This section may not be construed to allow the identity of a plaintiff or a witness to be concealed from the defendant.
(7) Construction. Nothing in this section may be construed as creating or recognizing a right to abortion or as making lawful an abortion that is otherwise unlawful.
Wis. Stat. § 253.115 Newborn hearing screening
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(a) “Hearing loss” means an inability in one or both ears to detect sounds at 30 decibels hearing level or greater in the frequency region of 500 to 4,000 hertz that affects speech recognition and auditory comprehension.
(b) “Hertz” means a unit of frequency equal to one cycle per second.
(c) “Hospital” has the meaning given in s. 50.33 (2).
(d) “Infant” means a child from birth to 3 months of age.
(e) “Newborn hearing screening program” means a system of a hospital under which an infant may be tested, using currently available medical techniques, to determine if the infant has a hearing loss.
(f) “Nurse-midwife” means an individual who is licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse and possesses a certified nurse-midwife specialty designation under s. 441.09.
(2) Screening program report. Beginning July 1, 2002, the department shall annually collect information from hospitals for the previous calendar year concerning the numbers of deliveries in each hospital and the availability in each hospital of a newborn hearing screening program. From this information, by July 31, 2003, and annually thereafter, the department shall determine the percentage of deliveries in this state that are performed in hospitals that have newborn hearing screening programs and shall report this information to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3).
(3) Hospital screening program. If, by August 5, 2003, the department determines that fewer than 88 percent of all deliveries in this state are performed in hospitals that have a newborn hearing screening program and so notifies the hospitals, every hospital shall, by January 1, 2004, have a newborn hearing screening program that is available to all infants who are delivered in the hospital.
(4) Screening required. Except as provided in sub. (6), the physician, nurse-midwife, or certified professional midwife licensed under s. 440.982 who attended the birth shall ensure that the infant is screened for hearing loss before being discharged from a hospital, or within 30 days of birth if the infant was not born in a hospital.
(5) Referral to follow-up services. The department shall provide referrals to intervention programs for hearing loss.
(6) Exceptions.
(a) Subsection (4) does not apply if the parents or legal guardian of the child object to a screen for hearing loss on the grounds that the test conflicts with their religious tenets and practices.
(b) No screening may be performed under sub. (4) unless the parents or legal guardian are fully informed of the purposes of a screen for hearing loss and have been given reasonable opportunity to object under par. (a) to the screen.
(7) Screening results.
(a) The physician, nurse-midwife, or certified professional midwife licensed under s. 440.982 who is required to ensure that the infant is screened for hearing loss under sub. (4) shall do all of the following:
1. Ensure the parents or legal guardian are advised of the screening results.
2. If the infant has an abnormal hearing screening result, ensure the parents or legal guardian are provided information on available resources for diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss.
3. Send to the state laboratory of hygiene board screening results and the infant’s risk factors to contract a hearing loss.
(b) The state laboratory of hygiene board shall send the information provided under par. (a) 3. to the department.
(8) Confidentiality. Except as provided under sub. (7) (a) 3. and (b), no information obtained under this section from the parents or legal guardian may be disclosed except for use in statistical data compiled by the department without reference to the identity of any individual and except as provided in s. 146.82 (2).
Wis. Stat. § 253.165 Right to breast-feed
A mother may breast-feed her child in any public or private location where the mother and child are otherwise authorized to be. In such a location, no person may prohibit a mother from breast-feeding her child, direct a mother to move to a different location to breast-feed her child, direct a mother to cover her child or breast while breast-feeding, or otherwise restrict a mother from breast-feeding her child as provided in this section.
Source: WI Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/253Fetched: 10/7/2026