Assisted living facility referral agencies and providing a penalty.
Impact
The passage of AB255 will significantly impact how referral agencies operate within Wisconsin's assisted living sector. By enforcing transparency regarding fees and relationships, the law aims to protect residents from potentially hidden costs and encourage ethical practices among referral agencies. The bill obligates agencies to collect fees only after a resident has confirmed they will be utilizing their services, which could lead to more responsible charging practices.
Summary
Assembly Bill 255 targets the regulation of referral agencies that connect individuals with assisted living facilities in Wisconsin. The bill imposes strict requirements on referral agencies, mandating them to provide clear disclosures to prospective residents. These disclosures must include information about any relationships the agency has with the facilities, the fees that may be charged, and the limited nature of referral services. Such measures are intended to ensure that prospective residents have a complete understanding of the referral process and prevent potential conflicts of interest.
Penalties
AB255 also stipulates that any referral agency failing to comply with the outlined provisions could face significant penalties. This includes permitting action by the Attorney General or district attorneys to restrain violations, thus reinforcing the seriousness of compliance. The legislation suggests a robust framework for monitoring compliance and ensuring accountability, which could deter unethical practices in the housing and care referral industry.
Contention
While supporters of AB255 view it as a step towards enhanced consumer protection and ethical behavior in the assisted living market, opponents argue that it may impose excessive regulations on referral agencies, potentially limiting their ability to operate effectively. There are concerns that strict guidelines could reduce choices for individuals seeking assisted living facilities, as smaller referral agencies may struggle to meet compliance requirements. Moreover, the bill sets penalties of up to $1,000 for violations, which critics warn could disproportionately affect smaller operators that cannot absorb such fines.
Authorized activities and operations of credit unions; the lending area of savings and loan associations; automated teller machines; residential mortgage loans and variable rate loans; payments for public deposit losses in failed financial institutions; promissory notes of certain public bodies; repealing rules promulgated by the Department of Financial Institutions; providing an exemption from rule-making procedures; and providing a penalty. (FE)
Housing: landlord and tenants; reuse of certain tenant screening reports; allow. Amends title & sec. 1 of 1972 PA 348 (MCL 554.601) & adds secs. 1e, 1f, 1g & 1h.