SB639,12,1610 66.0809 (5) (b) A municipal public utility may use sub. (3) or, if s. 62.69 applies,
11s. 62.69 (2) (f), to collect arrearages incurred after the owner of a rental dwelling unit
12has provided the utility with written notice under par. (a) if the municipal public
13utility is complying with par. (am) 1. and serves notice of the past-due charges on the
14owner of the rental dwelling unit within 14 days of the date on which the tenant's
15charges became past due. The municipal public utility shall serve notice in the
16manner provided in s. 801.14 (2).
SB639,21 17Section 21. 66.0821 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,13,518 66.0821 (4) (a) The governing body of the municipality may establish sewerage
19service charges in an amount to meet all or part of the requirements for the
20construction, reconstruction, improvement, extension, operation, maintenance,
21repair, and depreciation of the sewerage system, and for the payment of all or part
22of the principal and interest of any indebtedness incurred for those purposes,
23including the replacement of funds advanced by or paid from the general fund of the
24municipality. Service charges made by a metropolitan sewerage district to any town,
25village, or city shall be levied by the town, village, or city against the individual sewer

1system users within the corporate limits of the municipality, and the municipality
2shall collect the charges and promptly remit them to the metropolitan sewerage
3district. Delinquent charges shall be collected in accordance with sub. (4) (d). The
4governing body of a municipality may not establish any charge under this paragraph
5that is not related to providing sewerage service.
SB639,22 6Section 22. 68.125 of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,13,10 768.125 Refund of fees. If in an administrative appeal under s. 68.10, the
8municipal authority's order is overturned or the municipal authority withdraws the
9order that was the subject of the appeal, the municipality and municipal authority
10shall refund any fee paid to it by the appellant as a condition of filing the appeal.
SB639,23 11Section 23. 101.02 (7w) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,13,1412 101.02 (7w) (a) In this subsection, “aesthetic considerations” include
13considerations relating to color and texture and design considerations that do not
14relate to health or safety.
SB639,13,1915 (b) Notwithstanding subs. (7) (a) and (7r), no city, village, or town may enact
16or enforce an ordinance, or otherwise impose any requirement, that includes
17aesthetic considerations for purposes of inspection criteria for the interior of any
18structure or part of a structure that is used or intended to be used as a home,
19residence, or sleeping place.
SB639,24 20Section 24. 101.132 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,13,2421 101.132 (2) (a) Design and construction of covered multifamily housing. (intro.)
22In addition to discrimination prohibited under s. 106.50 (2), (2m) and (2r) (b), (bg),
23and (bm) (br), no person may design or construct covered multifamily housing unless
24it meets all of the following standards:
SB639,25 25Section 25. 106.50 (1m) (im) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,14,3
1106.50 (1m) (im) “Emotional support animal” means an animal that provides
2emotional support, well-being, comfort, or companionship for an individual but that
3is not trained to perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.
SB639,26 4Section 26. 106.50 (1m) (mx) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,14,75 106.50 (1m) (mx) “Licensed health professional” means a physician,
6psychologist, social worker, or other health professional who satisfies all of the
7following:
SB639,14,88 1. He or she is licensed or certified in this state.
SB639,14,99 2. He or she is acting within the scope of his or her license or certification.
SB639,27 10Section 27. 106.50 (2r) (bg) and (br) of the statutes are created to read:
SB639,14,1711 106.50 (2r) (bg) Animals that do work or perform tasks for individuals with
12disabilities.
1. If an individual has a disability and a disability-related need for an
13animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the individual, it
14is discrimination for a person to refuse to rent or sell housing to the individual, cause
15the eviction of the individual from housing, require extra compensation from the
16individual as a condition of continued residence in housing, or engage in the
17harassment of the individual because he or she keeps such an animal.
SB639,15,218 2. If an individual keeps or is seeking to keep an animal that is individually
19trained to do work or perform tasks in housing, an owner, lessor, lessor's agent,
20owner's agent, or representative of a condominium association may request that the
21individual submit to the owner, lessor, agent, or representative reliable
22documentation that the individual has a disability and reliable documentation of the
23disability-related need for the animal, unless the disability is readily apparent or
24known. If the disability is readily apparent or known but the disability-related need

1for the animal is not, the individual may be requested to submit reliable
2documentation of the disability-related need for the animal.
SB639,15,53 3. An individual with a disability who keeps an animal that is individually
4trained to do work or perform tasks in housing shall accept liability for sanitation
5with respect to, and damage to the premises caused by, the animal.
SB639,15,86 4. Nothing in this subsection prohibits an owner, lessor, lessor's agent, owner's
7agent, or representative of a condominium association from denying an individual
8the ability to keep an animal in housing if any of the following applies:
SB639,15,109 a. The individual is not disabled, does not have a disability-related need for the
10animal, or fails to provide the documentation requested under subd 2.
SB639,15,1311 b. Allowing the animal would impose an undue financial and administrative
12burden or would fundamentally alter the nature of services provided by the lessor,
13owner, or representative.
SB639,15,1514 c. The specific animal in question poses a direct threat to a person's health or
15safety that cannot be reduced or eliminated by another reasonable accommodation.
SB639,15,1816 d. The specific animal in question would cause substantial physical damage to
17a person's property that cannot be reduced or eliminated by another reasonable
18accommodation.
SB639,15,2419 (br) Emotional support animals. 1. If an individual has a disability and a
20disability-related need for an emotional support animal, it is discrimination for a
21person to refuse to rent or sell housing to the individual, cause the eviction of the
22individual from housing, require extra compensation from the individual as a
23condition of continued residence in housing, or engage in the harassment of the
24individual because he or she keeps such an animal.
SB639,16,6
12. If an individual keeps or is seeking to keep an emotional support animal in
2housing, an owner, lessor, lessor's agent, owner's agent, or representative of a
3condominium association may request that the individual submit to the owner,
4lessor, agent, or representative reliable documentation that the individual has a
5disability and reliable documentation of the disability-related need for the
6emotional support animal from a licensed health professional.
SB639,16,97 3. An individual with a disability who keeps an emotional support animal in
8housing shall accept liability for sanitation with respect to, and damage to the
9premises caused by, the animal.
SB639,16,1210 4. Nothing in this subsection prohibits an owner, lessor, lessor's agent, owner's
11agent, or representative of a condominium association from denying an individual
12the ability to keep an animal in housing if any of the following applies:
SB639,16,1413 a. The individual is not disabled, does not have a disability-related need for the
14animal, or fails to provide the documentation requested under subd 2.
SB639,16,1715 b. Allowing the animal would impose an undue financial and administrative
16burden or would fundamentally alter the nature of services provided by the lessor,
17owner, or representative.
SB639,16,1918 c. The specific animal in question poses a direct threat to a person's health or
19safety that cannot be reduced or eliminated by another reasonable accommodation.
SB639,16,2220 d. The specific animal in question would cause substantial physical damage to
21a person's property that cannot be reduced or eliminated by another reasonable
22accommodation.
SB639,17,223 5. An individual shall forfeit not less than $500 if he or she, for the purpose of
24obtaining housing, intentionally misrepresents that he or she has a disability or

1misrepresents the need for an emotional support animal to assist with his or her
2disability.
SB639,17,63 6. A licensed health professional shall forfeit not less than $500 if he or she, for
4the purpose of allowing the patient to obtain housing, misrepresents that his or her
5patient has a disability or misrepresents his or her patient's need for an emotional
6support animal to assist with his or her patient's disability.
SB639,28 7Section 28. 106.50 (2r) (bm) of the statutes is repealed.
SB639,29 8Section 29. 106.50 (2r) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,17,169 106.50 (2r) (c) Design and construction of covered multifamily housing. In
10addition to discrimination prohibited under pars. (b), (bg), and (bm) (br) and subs.
11(2) and (2m), no person may design or construct covered multifamily housing, as
12defined in s. 101.132 (1) (d), unless it meets the standards specified in s. 101.132 (2)
13(a) 1. to 4. In addition, no person may remodel, as defined in s. 101.132 (1) (h),
14housing with 3 or more dwelling units unless the remodeled housing meets the
15standards specified in s. 101.132 (2) (a) 1. to 4. as required under s. 101.132 (2) (b)
161., 2. or 3., whichever is applicable.
SB639,30 17Section 30. 175.403 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,17,2118 175.403 (2) Each By July 1, 2018, each law enforcement agency shall have a
19written policy regarding the investigation of complaints alleging a violation of s.
20943.14. The policy shall require a law enforcement officer who has probable cause
21to arrest a person for a violation of s. 943.14 to remove the person from a dwelling.
SB639,31 22Section 31. 196.643 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,17,24 23196.643 (title) Owner responsibility for Public utility service to rental
24dwelling unit.
SB639,32 25Section 32. 196.643 (3) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,18,5
1196.643 (3) Notifications; electric service. If requested by the owner of a
2rental dwelling unit, a public utility that provides electric service to a tenant residing
3in the unit shall notify the owner no later than 5 days before disconnecting service
4based on the tenant's nonpayment of past due charges. A public utility may provide
5information about a tenant's past due charges to the owner by telephone.
SB639,33 6Section 33. 196.643 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,18,107 196.643 (4) Resumption of service. No public utility may require the owner
8of a rental dwelling unit to provide proof of eviction or other evidence that a tenant
9has vacated the unit as a condition for providing or resuming public utility service
10to the unit.
SB639,34 11Section 34. 704.07 (3) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 704.07 (3) (a) (intro.)
12and amended to read:
SB639,18,2013 704.07 (3) (a) (intro.) If the premises are damaged, including by an infestation
14of insects or other pests, due to the acts or inaction of the tenant, the landlord may
15elect to allow the tenant to remediate or repair the damage and restore the
16appearance of the premises by redecorating. However, the landlord may elect to
17undertake the remediation, repair, or redecoration, and in such case the tenant must
18reimburse the landlord for the reasonable cost thereof; the cost to the landlord is
19presumed reasonable unless proved otherwise by the tenant. Reasonable costs
20include any of the following:
SB639,35 21Section 35. 704.07 (3) (a) 1. and 2. of the statutes are created to read:
SB639,18,2222 704.07 (3) (a) 1. Materials provided or labor performed by the landlord.
SB639,18,2423 2. At a reasonable hourly rate, time the landlord spends doing any of the
24following:
SB639,18,2525 a. Purchasing or providing materials.
SB639,19,1
1b. Supervising an agent of the landlord.
SB639,19,22 c. Hiring a 3rd-party contractor.
SB639,36 3Section 36. 704.07 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,19,204 704.07 (4) Untenantability. If the premises become untenantable because of
5damage by fire, water, or other casualty or because of any condition hazardous to
6health, or if there is a substantial violation of sub. (2) materially affecting the health
7or safety of the tenant, the tenant may remove from the premises unless the landlord
8proceeds promptly to repair or rebuild or eliminate the health hazard or the
9substantial violation of sub. (2) materially affecting the health or safety of the tenant;
10or the tenant may remove if the inconvenience to the tenant by reason of the nature
11and period of repair, rebuilding, or elimination would impose undue hardship on the
12tenant. If the tenant remains in possession and the condition materially affects the
13health or safety of the tenant or substantially affects the use and occupancy of the
14premises
, rent abates to the extent the tenant is deprived of the full normal use of
15the premises. This section does not authorize rent to be withheld in full, if the tenant
16remains in possession. If the tenant justifiably moves out under this subsection, the
17tenant is not liable for rent after the premises become untenantable and the landlord
18must repay any rent paid in advance apportioned to the period after the premises
19become untenantable. This subsection is inapplicable if the damage or condition is
20caused by negligence or improper use by the tenant.
SB639,37 21Section 37. 704.07 (5) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,19,2522 704.07 (5) Restriction of regulation of abatement. An ordinance enacted by
23a city, town, village, or county regulating abatement of rent shall permit abatement
24only for conditions that materially affect the health or safety of the tenant or
25substantially affect the use and occupancy of the premises.
SB639,38
1Section 38. 704.085 of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,20,8 2704.085 Credit and background checks. (1) (a) Except as provided under
3par. (b), a landlord may require a prospective tenant to pay the landlord's actual cost,
4up to $25, to obtain a consumer credit report on the prospective tenant from a
5consumer credit reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers
6on a nationwide basis. The landlord shall notify the prospective tenant of the charge
7before requesting the consumer credit report, and shall provide the prospective
8tenant with a copy of the report.
SB639,20,139 (b) A landlord may not require a prospective tenant to pay for a consumer credit
10report under par. (a) if, before the landlord requests a consumer credit report, the
11prospective tenant provides the landlord with a consumer credit report, from a
12consumer credit reporting agency that compiles and maintains files on consumers
13on a nationwide basis, that is less than 30 days old.
SB639,20,18 14(2) A landlord may require a prospective tenant who is not a resident of this
15state to pay the landlord's actual cost, up to $25, to obtain a background check on the
16prospective tenant. The landlord shall notify the prospective tenant of the charge
17before requesting the background check and shall provide the prospective tenant
18with a copy of the report.
SB639,39 19Section 39. 704.10 of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,20,22 20704.10 Electronic delivery. A rental agreement may include a provision that
21permits the landlord to provide and indicate agreement by electronic means any of
22the following:
SB639,20,24 23(1) A copy of the rental agreement and any document related to the rental
24agreement.
SB639,21,2
1(2) A security deposit and any documents related to the accounting and
2disposition of the security deposit and security deposit refund.
SB639,21,4 3(3) A promise made before the initial rental agreement to clean, repair, or
4otherwise improve any portion of the premises.
SB639,21,5 5(4) Advance notice of entry under s. 704.05 (2).
SB639,40 6Section 40. 704.17 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 704.17 (1p).
SB639,41 7Section 41. 704.17 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,21,98 704.17 (1g) Definition. In this section, “rent” includes any rent that is past due
9and any late fees owed for rent that is past due.
SB639,42 10Section 42. 704.17 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,21,1411 704.17 (4m) Effect of incorrect amount in notice. A notice for failure to pay
12rent or any other amount due under the rental agreement that includes an incorrect
13statement of the amount due is valid unless the tenant has paid or tendered payment
14of the amount the tenant admits is actually due.
SB639,43 15Section 43. 758.20 of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,21,21 16758.20 Consolidated court automation programs. (1) In this section,
17“Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Internet site" means the Internet site of the
18consolidated court automation programs, which is the statewide electronic circuit
19court case management system established under s. 758.19 (4) and maintained by
20the director of state courts, that provides information regarding the cases heard in
21the circuit courts.
SB639,21,25 22(2) The director of state courts may not remove case management information
23from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Internet site for any civil case that is not
24a closed, confidential, or sealed case for a period of at least 10 years after the date that
25final judgment was entered in a case.
SB639,44
1Section 44. 799.06 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 799.06 (3) (a).
SB639,45 2Section 45. 799.06 (3) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,22,43 799.06 (3) (b) A court may not require that a person filing a summons or
4complaint under this chapter have the summons or complaint notarized.
SB639,46 5Section 46. 799.206 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,22,106 799.206 (3) When all parties appear in person or by their attorneys on the
7return date in an eviction, garnishment, or replevin action and any party claims that
8raises valid legal grounds for a contest exists, the matter shall be forthwith
9scheduled for a hearing, to be held as soon as possible before a judge and in the case
10of an eviction action, not more than 30 days after the return date.
SB639,47 11Section 47. 799.40 (1g) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,22,1812 799.40 (1g) Notice terminating tenancy. If a landlord gives a notice
13terminating tenancy under s. 704.16, 704.17, or 704.19 through certified mail in
14accordance with s. 704.21 (1) (d), proof of certified mailing from the United States
15post office shall be sufficient to establish that proper notice has been provided for the
16purpose of filing a complaint or otherwise demonstrating that proper notice has been
17given in an eviction action, and an affidavit of service may not be requested to
18establish that proper notice has been provided.
SB639,48 19Section 48. 799.40 (1s) of the statutes is created to read:
SB639,23,220 799.40 (1s) No waiver by landlord. It shall not be a defense to an action of
21eviction or a claim for damages that the landlord has previously waived any violation
22or breach of any of the terms of the rental agreement by the tenant including, but not
23limited to, the acceptance of rent or that a custom or practice occurred or developed
24between the parties in connection with the rental agreement so as to waive or lessen

1the landlord's right to insist upon strict performance of the terms of the rental
2agreement.
SB639,49 3Section 49. 799.40 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,23,124 799.40 (4) (a) The court shall stay the proceedings in a civil action of eviction
5if the tenant applies for emergency assistance under s. 49.138. The, except that no
6stay may be granted under this paragraph after a writ of restitution has been issued
7in the proceedings. If a stay is granted, the
tenant shall inform the court of the
8outcome of the determination of eligibility for emergency assistance. The stay
9remains in effect until the tenant's eligibility for emergency assistance is determined
10and, if the tenant is determined to be eligible, until the tenant receives the
11emergency assistance, except that the stay may not remain in effect for more than
125 working days, as defined in s. 227.01 (14)
.
SB639,50 13Section 50. 802.05 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB639,23,2414 802.05 (2m) Additional representations to court as to preparation of
15pleadings or other documents.
An attorney may draft or assist in drafting a
16pleading, motion, or document filed by an otherwise self-represented person. The
17attorney is not required to sign the pleading, motion, or document. Any such
18document must contain a statement immediately adjacent to the person's signature
19that “This document was prepared with the assistance of a lawyer .",” followed by the
20name of the attorney and the attorney's state bar number.
The attorney providing
21such drafting assistance may rely on the otherwise self-represented person's
22representation of facts, unless the attorney has reason to believe that such
23representations are false, or materially insufficient, in which instance the attorney
24shall make an independent reasonable inquiry into the facts.
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