165.72 Controlled substances hotline and rewards for controlled substances tips.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(aj) “Department" means the department of justice.

(b) “Jail officer" has the meaning given in s. 165.85 (2) (bn).

(bt) “Juvenile detention officer" has the meaning given in s. 165.85 (2) (bt).

(c) “Law enforcement agency" has the meaning given in s. 165.83 (1) (b).

(d) “Law enforcement officer" has the meaning given in s. 165.85 (2) (c).

(2) Hotline. The department of justice shall maintain a single toll-free telephone number during normal retail business hours, as determined by departmental rule, for all of the following:

(a) For persons to anonymously provide tips regarding suspected controlled substances violations.

(b) For pharmacists to report suspected controlled substances violations.

(3) Reward payment program. The department shall administer a reward payment program. Under the program, the department may offer and pay rewards from the appropriation under s. 20.455 (2) (m) for information under sub. (2) (a) leading to the arrest and conviction of a person for a violation of ch. 961.

(4) Payment limitations. A reward under sub. (3) may not exceed $1,000 for the arrest and conviction of any one person. The department may not make any reward payment to a law enforcement officer, jail officer, juvenile detention officer, pharmacist, or department employee.

(5) Department authority. If a reward is claimed, the department shall make the final determination regarding any payment. The department may pay portions of a reward to 2 or more persons. The payment of a reward is not subject to a contested case proceeding under ch. 227. The offer of a reward under sub. (3) does not create any liability on the department or the state.

(6) Records. The department may withhold any record under this section from inspection or copying under s. 19.35.

(7) Publicity. The department shall cooperate with the department of public instruction in publicizing, in public schools, the use of the toll-free telephone number under sub. (2).

History: 1989 a. 122, 336; 1993 a. 16, 460; 1995 a. 27 ss. 4456, 4457, 9145 (1); 1995 a. 448; 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2007 a. 20, 97.