LRB-4564/1
SWB:amn&emw
2017 - 2018 LEGISLATURE
December 27, 2017 - Introduced by Representatives Doyle, Katsma, Subeck,
Neylon, Kitchens, Novak, Rodriguez, Ballweg, Pronschinske, Snyder,
Anderson, Berceau, Born, Brandtjen, E. Brooks, R. Brooks, Considine,
Felzkowski, Kolste, Krug, Kulp, Mursau, Ohnstad, Petersen, Petryk,
Quinn, Ripp, Rohrkaste, Schraa, Sinicki, Steineke, Swearingen, Thiesfeldt,
Tittl, Tranel, VanderMeer and Vruwink, cosponsored by Senators Olsen,
Darling, Ringhand, L. Taylor, Vinehout and Wanggaard. Referred to
Committee on Judiciary.
AB778,1,3 1An Act to amend 808.04 (7m), 809.107 (6) (am) and 809.82 (2) (b); and to create
2809.107 (2) (bm) 6. of the statutes; relating to: appellate procedure in
3proceedings related to termination of parental rights.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill makes changes to the appellate procedures applicable in proceedings
related to the termination of parental rights.
First, the bill changes certain requirements relating to the notice of intent to
pursue postdisposition or appellate relief in proceedings related to the termination
of parental rights. Under current law, in order to initiate an appeal in a termination
of parental rights matter, a person must file a notice of intent to pursue
postdisposition or appellate relief. This bill creates a requirement that the notice of
intent must include the signature of the person on whose behalf the notice is filed.
The person's counsel, if any, must sign the notice, but may not do so in lieu of the
signature of the person on whose behalf the notice is filed. The bill also expands the
authority of the court to grant an extension of time to file the notice of intent.
Second, the bill establishes an additional requirement for filing a motion to
remand for postjudgment fact-finding on appeal of a judgment or order related to the
termination of parental rights. Under current law, an appellant who intends to
appeal on any ground that may require postjudgment fact-finding must file a motion
in the court of appeals raising the issue and requesting that the court of appeals
retain jurisdiction over the appeal and remand to the circuit court to hear and decide
the issue of possible additional fact-finding. This bill establishes a requirement that

counsel who files the motion for remand or, if the appellant seeking the remand is
unrepresented, the appellant, must file an affidavit in support of the motion for
remand which states with specificity the reasons why postjudgment fact-finding is
necessary. The bill also extends the deadline for filing the motion for remand if the
appellant is not represented by counsel.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB778,1 1Section 1 . 808.04 (7m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB778,2,72 808.04 (7m) An appeal from a judgment or order terminating parental rights
3or denying termination of parental rights shall be initiated by filing the notice
4required by s. 809.107 (2) within 30 days after the date of entry of the judgment or
5order appealed from. Notwithstanding s. 809.82 (2) (a), this time period may not be
6enlarged unless the judgment or order was entered as a result of a petition under s.
748.415 that was filed by a representative of the public under s. 48.09.
AB778,2 8Section 2. 809.107 (2) (bm) 6. of the statutes is created to read:
AB778,2,119 809.107 (2) (bm) 6. For an appellant other than the state, the signature of the
10appellant on whose behalf the notice of intent is filed. Appellant's counsel, if any,
11shall also sign the notice, but may not sign in lieu of the appellant.
AB778,3 12Section 3 . 809.107 (6) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB778,3,813 809.107 (6) (am) Motion for remand. If the appellant intends to appeal on any
14ground that may require postjudgment fact-finding, the appellant shall file a motion
15in the court of appeals, within 15 days after the filing of the record on appeal, raising
16the issue and requesting that the court of appeals retain jurisdiction over the appeal
17and remand to the circuit court to hear and decide the issue. If the appellant is not
18represented by counsel, the appellant shall file any motion under this paragraph
19within 45 days after the filing of the record on appeal. The appellant's counsel or, if

1the appellant is not represented by counsel, the appellant, shall file an affidavit in
2support of the motion stating with specificity the facts the appellant reasonably
3anticipates will be established at a fact-finding hearing upon remand.
If the court
4of appeals grants the motion for remand, it shall set time limits for the circuit court
5to hear and decide the issue, for the appellant to request transcripts of the hearing,
6and for the court reporter to file and serve the transcript of the hearing. The court
7of appeals shall extend the time limit under par. (a) for the appellant to file a brief
8presenting all grounds for relief in the pending appeal.
AB778,4 9Section 4 . 809.82 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB778,3,1410 809.82 (2) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), the time for filing a notice of appeal or
11cross-appeal of a final judgment or order, other than in an appeal under s. 809.107
12of a judgment or order that was entered as a result of a petition under s. 48.415 that
13was filed by a representative of the public under s. 48.09
or an appeal under s. 809.30
14or 809.32, may not be enlarged.
AB778,3,1515 (End)
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