LRB-4242/1
GMM:skg:lpa
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
October 27, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives Harsdorf, Albers, Jensen,
Freese, Goetsch, Baldus, Wirch, Ainsworth, Owens, Seratti, Gunderson,
Bock and Plombon, cosponsored by Senators Darling and Breske. Referred
to Committee on Children and Families.
AB647,1,2
1An Act to amend 48.975 (2) and 48.975 (4) of the statutes;
relating to: adoption
2assistance.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, the department of health and social services (DHSS)
provides adoption assistance to the adoptive parents or proposed adoptive parents
of a child who is in the guardianship of DHSS, an American Indian tribal agency or
an agency authorized to place children for adoption at the time of the adoption if
DHSS determines that adoption assistance is necessary to ensure the child's
adoption. Currently, DHSS and the proposed adoptive parents must enter into an
agreement for the adoption assistance prior to legal adoption of the child. This bill
removes the requirement that the child be in the guardianship of DHSS, an
American Indian Tribal agency or an agency authorized to place children for
adoption at the time of adoption so that the adoptive or proposed adoptive parent of
any child who needs assistance to ensure that the child is adopted may receive
adoption assistance. The bill, however, prohibits DHSS from providing adoption
assistance in the case of a stepparent adoption. Finally, the bill permits an adoption
assistance agreement to be made not only before the legal adoption, but also within
one year after the child is placed for adoption.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
AB647, s. 1
3Section
1. 48.975 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB647,2,24
48.975
(2) Applicability. The department may provide adoption assistance
5only when it has determined that such assistance is necessary to
assure ensure the
1child's adoption.
The department may not provide adoption assistance for a child
2who has been adopted or who is proposed to be adopted by the child's stepparent.
AB647, s. 2
3Section
2. 48.975 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB647,2,104
48.975
(4) Procedure. A written agreement to provide adoption assistance
5shall be made prior to legal adoption
only for children in the guardianship of the
6department or other agency authorized to place children for adoption or for children
7in the guardianship of an American Indian tribal agency in this state or within one
8year after the child has been placed for adoption with the adoptive or proposed
9adoptive parents. The adoption assistance may be continued after the child reaches
10the age of 18 if that child is a full-time high school student.
