Wisconsin § 137.20 - Retention of electronic records; originals.

§ 137.20. Retention of electronic records; originals.

137.20(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (6) , if a law requires that a record be retained, the requirement is satisfied by retaining the information set forth in the record as an electronic record which: 137.20(1)(a) (a) Accurately reflects the information set forth in the record after it was first generated in its final form as an electronic record or otherwise; and 137.20(1)(b) (b) Remains accessible for later reference. 137.20(2) (2) A requirement to retain a record in accordance with sub. (1) does not apply to any information the sole purpose of which is to enable the record to be sent, communicated, or received. 137.20(3) (3) A person may comply with sub. (1) by using the services of another person if the requirements of that subsection are satisfied. 137.20(4) (4) Except as provided in sub. (6) , if a law requires a record to be presented or retained in its original form, or provides consequences if the record is not presented or retained in its original form, a person may comply with that law by using an electronic record that is retained in accordance with sub. (1) . 137.20(5) (5) Except as provided in sub. (6) , if a law requires retention of a check, that requirement is satisfied by retention of an electronic record containing the information on the front and back of the check in accordance with sub. (1) . 137.20(6) (6) 137.20(6)(a) (a) Except as provided in sub. (6) , a record retained as an electronic record in accordance with sub. (1) satisfies a law requiring a person to retain a record for evidentiary, audit, or like purposes, unless a law enacted after May 5, 2004 specifically prohibits the use of an electronic record for the specified purpose. 137.20(6)(b) (b) A governmental unit that has custody of a record is also further subject to the retention requirements for public records of state agencies, and the records of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority established under ss.