50.55 Penalties and remedies.

(1) Forfeitures.

(a) Any person who violates this subchapter or any rule promulgated under this subchapter, except s. 50.54 (2), may be required to forfeit not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each offense. Each day of continued violation constitutes a separate offense.

(b) In determining whether a forfeiture is to be imposed and in fixing the amount of the forfeiture to be imposed, if any, for a violation, the department shall consider all of the following factors:

1. The gravity of the violation.

2. Good faith exercised by the licensee.

3. Any previous violations committed by the licensee.

4. The financial benefit to the rural medical center of committing or continuing to commit the violation.

(c) The department may directly assess forfeitures provided for under par. (a). If the department determines that a forfeiture should be assessed for a particular violation or for failure to correct it, the department shall send a notice of assessment to the rural medical center. The notice shall specify the amount of the forfeiture assessed, the violation, and the statute or rule alleged to have been violated, and shall inform the licensee of the right to a hearing under par. (d).

(d) A rural medical center may contest an assessment of forfeiture by sending, within 10 days after receipt of notice under par. (c), a written request for hearing under s. 227.44 to the division of hearings and appeals under s. 15.103 (1). The division shall commence the hearing within 30 days after receipt of the request for hearing and shall issue a final decision within 15 days after the close of the hearing. Proceedings before the division are governed by ch. 227.

(e) All forfeitures shall be paid to the department within 10 days after receipt of notice of assessment or, if the forfeiture is contested under par. (d), within 10 days after receipt of the final decision, unless the final decision is appealed and the decision is in favor of the appellant. The department shall remit all forfeitures paid to the secretary of administration for deposit in the school fund.

(2) Other penalty. Whoever violates s. 50.54 (2) may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

(3) Injunction. The department may, upon the advice of the attorney general, who shall represent the department in all proceedings under this subsection, institute an action in the name of the state in the circuit court for Dane County for injunctive relief or other process against any licensee, owner, operator, administrator or representative of any owner of a rural medical center for the violation of any of the provisions of this subchapter or rules promulgated under this subchapter if the department determines that the violation seriously affects the care, treatment, health, safety, rights, welfare or comfort of patients.

History: 1995 a. 98; 2003 a. 33.