Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
A forfeiture may be imposed in the following circumstances:
Most commonly, as the next enforcement step after an order has been issued and a follow-up monitoring visit verifies that the order has not been complied with by the specified time, or has been violated;
As a direct forfeiture, an enforcement action is assessed immediately for an identified noncompliance not associated with previously issued orders. A direct forfeiture is issued in the most severe circumstances in which the health, safety and welfare of children in care is threatened. Usually an order to address the noncompliance is issued with the direct forfeiture. In some cases, orders may not be issued because the noncompliance has been corrected and/or the circumstance is not likely to occur again;
As part of a stipulation.
Assessing a forfeiture is a serious enforcement step. The licensing specialist must discuss the reason with the licensing manager/licensing supervisor. In some situations, the licensing manager/licensing supervisor may decide to hold an informal meeting with the licensee in an attempt to resolve the compliance issue without resorting to forfeiture.
The licensing specialist/licensing supervisor must consult with and receive approval from the BECR Director if the total forfeiture amount is $500 or more. The licensing specialist/licensing supervisor may also wish to involve the BECR Director, regardless of the amount, when:
The situation is particularly sensitive due to the extent or serious nature of the non-compliance, i.e., there has been harm to a child; or
There is reasonable certainty that the forfeiture will be appealed; or
The violation and BECR’s response are likely to receive media attention; or
Stronger enforcement action may be necessary.
This page last updated 10/2020.