252.14 Discrimination related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

(1) In this section:

(ad) “Correctional officer" has the meaning given in s. 301.28 (1).

(am) “Fire fighter" has the meaning given in s. 102.475 (8) (b).

(ar) “Health care provider" means any of the following:

1. A nurse licensed under ch. 441.

2. A chiropractor licensed under ch. 446.

3. A dentist licensed under ch. 447.

4. A physician licensed under subch. II of ch. 448.

4c. A perfusionist licensed under subch. II of ch. 448.

4e. A physical therapist or physical therapist assistant licensed under subch. III of ch. 448.

4g. A podiatrist licensed under subch. IV of ch. 448.

4m. A dietitian certified under subch. V of ch. 448.

4p. An occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant licensed under subch. VII of ch. 448.

4q. An athletic trainer licensed under subch. VI of ch. 448.

5. An optometrist licensed under ch. 449.

6. A psychologist licensed under ch. 455.

7. A social worker, marriage and family therapist, or professional counselor certified or licensed under ch. 457.

8. A speech-language pathologist or audiologist licensed under subch. II of ch. 459 or a speech and language pathologist licensed by the department of public instruction.

9. An employee or agent of any provider specified under subds. 1. to 8.

10. A partnership of any provider specified under subds. 1. to 8.

11. A corporation of any provider specified under subds. 1. to 8. that provides health care services.

12. A cooperative health care association organized under s. 185.981 that directly provides services through salaried employees in its own facility.

13. An emergency medical services practitioner licensed under s. 256.15 (5).

14. A physician assistant.

15. An emergency medical responder.

(c) “Home health agency" has the meaning specified in s. 50.49 (1) (a).

(d) “Inpatient health care facility" means a hospital, nursing home, community-based residential facility, county home, county mental health complex or other place licensed or approved by the department under s. 49.70, 49.71, 49.72, 50.02, 50.03, 50.35, 51.08 or 51.09 or a facility under s. 45.50, 48.62, 51.05, 51.06, 233.40, 233.41, 233.42 or 252.10.

(2) No health care provider, peace officer, fire fighter, correctional officer, state patrol officer, jailer or keeper of a jail or person designated with custodial authority by the jailer or keeper, home health agency, inpatient health care facility, or person who has access to a validated HIV test result may do any of the following with respect to an individual who has acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or has a positive, validated HIV test result, solely because the individual has HIV infection or an illness or medical condition that is caused by, arises from, or is related to HIV infection:

(a) Refuse to treat the individual, if his or her condition is within the scope of licensure or certification of the health care provider, home health agency or inpatient health care facility.

(am) If a peace officer, fire fighter, correctional officer, state patrol officer, jailer or keeper of a jail or person designated with custodial authority by the jailer or keeper, refuse to provide services to the individual.

(b) Provide care to the individual at a standard that is lower than that provided other individuals with like medical needs.

(bm) If a peace officer, fire fighter, correctional officer, state patrol officer, jailer or keeper of a jail or person designated with custodial authority by the jailer or keeper, provide services to the individual at a standard that is lower than that provided other individuals with like service needs.

(c) Isolate the individual unless medically necessary.

(d) Subject the individual to indignity, including humiliating, degrading or abusive treatment.

(2m) If a person declines to be subjected to an HIV test, a health care provider may not use the fact that the person declined an HIV test as a basis for denying services or treatment, other than an HIV test, to the person.

(3) A health care provider, home health agency, or inpatient health care facility that treats an individual who has an HIV infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome shall develop and follow procedures that shall ensure continuity of care for the individual in the event that his or her condition exceeds the scope of licensure or certification of the provider, agency, or facility.

(4) Any person violating sub. (2) is liable to the patient for actual damages and costs, plus exemplary damages of up to $10,000 for an intentional violation. In determining the amount of exemplary damages, a court shall consider the ability of a health care provider who is an individual to pay exemplary damages.

History: 1989 a. 201; 1991 a. 32, 39, 160, 189, 269, 315; 1993 a. 27 ss. 326 to 331; Stats. 1993 s. 252.14; 1993 a. 105, 190, 252, 443; 1993 a. 490 s. 143; 1993 a. 491, 495; 1995 a. 27 ss. 6322, 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27, 35, 67, 75, 175; 1999 a. 9, 32, 180; 2001 a. 70, 80, 89; 2005 a. 22; 2007 a. 130; 2009 a. 165, 209; 2011 a. 161; 2017 a. 12.