299.51 Medical waste management.

(1) Definitions. In this section:

(a) “Clinic" has the meaning given in s. 287.07 (7) (c) 1. a.

(am) “Manifest" means a form used for identifying the quantity, composition, origin, routing and destination of medical waste during its transport and disposal.

(b) “Medical waste" means infectious waste, as defined in s. 287.07 (7) (c) 1. c., and other waste that contains or may be mixed with infectious waste.

(bm) “Nursing home" has the meaning given in s. 50.01 (3).

(c) “Solid waste disposal" has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (34).

(d) “Solid waste facility" has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (35).

(e) “Solid waste treatment" has the meaning given in s. 289.01 (39).

(2) Medical waste reduction. Except as provided under sub. (3) (am), every clinic, nursing home and hospital shall implement a policy for the reduction of the amount of medical waste generated as required by the department by rule.

(3) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules that do all of the following:

(a) Establish requirements for medical waste reduction by hospitals.

(am) Exempt types of generators of medical waste that generate less than 50 pounds of medical waste per month from the requirement under sub. (2).

(b) Establish requirements for packaging, handling, shipping and transporting medical waste.

(c) Require a license for persons who transport medical waste and impose a fee for that license, except that the department may not impose a fee on an individual who is eligible for the veterans fee waiver program under s. 45.44.

(d) Require the use of manifests to monitor the transport and disposal of medical waste.

(4) Prohibitions.

(a) No person may transport medical waste without a license issued by the department under sub. (3) (c).

(b) No person may dispose of medical waste in a facility for solid waste disposal unless the medical waste has undergone solid waste treatment.

(5) Penalty. Any person who violates sub. (4) (b) may be required to forfeit not more than $25,000. Each act of disposal in violation of sub. (4) (b) constitutes a separate offense.

History: 1991 a. 39, 300; 1995 a. 227 s. 643; Stats. 1995 s. 299.51; 2011 a. 209.