Assembly Bill 255 aims to regulate referral agencies that connect prospective residents to assisted living facilities in Wisconsin. The bill defines an "assisted living facility" to include community-based residential facilities, residential care apartment complexes, and adult family homes. It mandates that referral agencies disclose their relationships with the facilities they refer to, including any fees paid by the facilities for these referrals. Additionally, the bill stipulates that referral agencies can only charge fees that are set in advance, consistent with fair market value, and collected after a resident confirms their move into the facility. It also allows prospective residents to terminate services from the referral agency at any time.

The bill includes provisions for penalties, allowing referral agencies that violate its terms to face forfeitures of up to $1,000 per violation. It also empowers the attorney general or district attorneys to take legal action against agencies that do not comply with the new regulations. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance transparency and protect the rights of prospective residents in the assisted living referral process.