Section 72.06. Enforcement.

 

(1)   Inspections and access to the premises.

(a) Inspections. Under ss. 97.615 (2) and 97.65 (1) , Stats., an authorized employee or agent of the department, upon presenting proper identification, may enter any hotel, motel or tourist rooming house at any reasonable time, for any of the following purposes:

1. To inspect the hotel, motel or tourist rooming house.

2. To determine if there has been a violation of this chapter or ss. 97.603 to 97.65 , Stats.

3. To determine compliance with previously written violation orders.

4. To secure samples or specimens.

5. To examine and copy relevant documents and records provided such information is related to the operation of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

6. To obtain photographic or other evidence needed to enforce this chapter.

(b) Reinspections.

1. The department or its agent may reinspect a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house whenever an inspection or the investigation of a complaint reveals the existence of a violation that is potentially hazardous to the health and welfare of patrons or employees of the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

2. A reinspection shall be scheduled to allow the operator a reasonably sufficient time to correct the deficiencies.

3. The reinspection fee under Table ATCP 72.05 A or B or applicable charges as determined by an agent of the department shall be charged for the reinspection.

4. If an additional reinspection is required because a violation has not been corrected in the scheduled time, the department shall assess the operator an additional reinspection fee according to Table ATCP 72.05 and the department may order the operator to show just cause why the permit should not be suspended or revoked under s. ATCP 72.07 .

(2)   General orders to correct violations.

(a) If upon inspection of a hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house, the department or agent finds that the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house is not designed, constructed, equipped, or operated as required under this chapter, the department or agent shall issue a written order to correct the violation. The order shall specify the correction needed for compliance and the time period within which the correction should be made. The time period specified in the order may be extended at the discretion of the department or agent.

(b) If the order to correct violations is not carried out by the expiration of the time period stated in the order, or any extension of time granted for compliance, the department or agent may issue an order under s. ATCP 72.07 to suspend or revoke the permit to operate the hotel, motel, or tourist rooming house.

(c) Under s. 97.12 (5) , Stats., any person who fails to comply with an order of the department shall forfeit $50 for each day of noncompliance after the order is served upon or directed to that person. A forfeiture may be appealed under s. ATCP 72.08 .

(3)   Temporary orders.

(a) As provided in s. 97.65 , Stats., whenever the department or agent has reasonable cause to believe that an immediate danger to health or safety exists as a result of an inspection under sub. (1) , the department or agent may issue a temporary order without advance notice or hearing to do any of the following:

1. Prohibit the continued operation or method of operation of specific equipment.

2. Require the premises to cease operations and close until remedies are applied which eliminate the immediate danger to health or safety.

(b)

1. A temporary order shall take effect upon delivery to the operator or responsible supervisor. Except as provided in par. (c) , the temporary order shall remain in effect for 14 days from the date of delivery, but a temporary order may be reissued for one additional 14-day period if necessary to complete any analysis or examination of samples, specimens, or other evidence.

2. No operation or method of operation prohibited by the temporary order may be resumed without the approval of the department or agent until the order has terminated or the time period specified in subd. 1. has expired, whichever occurs first. If, upon completed analysis or examination, the department or agent determines that construction, sanitary condition, operation, or method of operation of the premises or equipment does not constitute an immediate danger to health or safety, the department or agent shall immediately notify the owner, operator or responsible supervisor in writing and the temporary order shall terminate upon receipt of the written notice.

(c) If the analysis or examination shows that the construction, sanitary condition, operation or method of operation of the premises or equipment constitutes an immediate danger to health or safety, the department or agent, within the effective period of the temporary order specified in par. (b) 1. , shall provide written notice of the findings to the owner, operator or responsible supervisor. Upon receipt of the notice, the temporary order remains in effect until a final decision is issued under s. ATCP 97.08 . The notice shall include a statement that the facility has a right to request a hearing under s. ATCP 97.08 within 15 days after issuance of the notice.

(d) Under s. 97.65 (5) (a) , Stats., may be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than one year in the county jail, or both.

CR 08-073 : cr. Register January 2009 No. 637 , eff. 2-1-09 ; renum. from DHS 195.06 Register June 2016 No. 726 ; correction in (1) (a) (intro.), 2., (b) 3., 4., (2) (b), (c), (3) (a), (c), (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7. , Stats., Register June 2016 No. 726 ; correction in (3) (b) 1. made under s. 35.17 , Stats., Register June 2016 No. 726 .