Note: Revises s. 48.43 (1) (a), stats., relating to a required item in the contents of an order for TPR, to specify that the order must contain the identity of any agency or individual that has received guardianship of the child or will receive guardianship or custody of the child upon TPR. Current law only refers to “will receive" and does not refer to an agency or individual that has already received guardianship of the child, such as a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), stats., as created by this bill.
275,103
Section 103
. 48.43 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.43 (4) A certified copy of the order terminating parental rights shall be furnished by the court to the agency given guardianship for placement for adoption of the child or to the person or agency given custodianship or guardianship for placement of the child in sustaining care and to the person appointed as the guardian of the child under s. 48.977 (2). The court shall, upon request, furnish a certified copy of the child's birth certificate and a transcript of the testimony in the termination of parental rights hearing to the same person or agency.
Note: Revises s. 48.43 (4), stats., relating to the requirement that the juvenile court furnish a certified copy of the TPR order to certain persons and entities, to include the person appointed as the guardian of the child under s. 48.977 (2), stats., as created by this bill, as one of those persons required to be furnished with a certified copy of the order.
275,104
Section 104
. 48.43 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.43 (5) (b) The court shall hold a hearing to review the permanency plan within 30 days after receiving a report under par. (a). At least 10 days before the date of the hearing, the court shall provide notice of the time, date and purpose of the hearing to the agency that prepared the report, the child's guardian, the child, if he or she is 12 years of age or over, and the child's foster parent, the child's treatment foster parent, other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) or the operator of the facility in which the child is living.
Note: Revises s. 48.43 (5) (b), stats., relating to the hearing to review a child's permanency plan subsequent to a TPR, to require that notice of the time, date and purpose of the hearing be given to any other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), stats., of the child. Current law requires notice to be given to the child's foster parent, treatment foster parent, or the operator of the facility in which the child is living, but does not refer to any other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), stats.
275,105
Section 105
. 48.43 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.43 (5) (c) Following the hearing, the court shall make all of the determinations specified under s. 48.38 (5) (c), except the determinations relating to the child's parents. The court may amend the order under sub. (1) to transfer the child's guardianship and custody to any agency specified under s. 48.427 (3) (3m) (a) 1. to 4. which consents to the transfer, if the court determines that the transfer is in the child's best interest. If an order is amended, the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall revise the plan to conform to the order and shall file a copy of the revised plan with the court. Each plan filed under this paragraph shall be made a part of the court order.
Note: Revises a reference to s. 48.427 (3), stats., in current law to reflect the renumbering in that subsection by this bill.
275,106
Section 106
. 48.46 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.46 (2) A parent who has consented to the termination of his or her parental rights under s. 48.41 or who did not contest the petition initiating the proceeding in which his or her parental rights were terminated may move the court for relief from the judgment on any of the grounds specified in s. 806.07 (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) or (f). Any such motion shall be filed within 40 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order terminating parental rights, unless the parent files a timely notice of intent to pursue relief from the judgment under s. 808.04 (7)
(7m), in which case the motion shall be filed within the time permitted by s. 809.30 (2) (h) 809.107 (5). A motion under this subsection does not affect the finality or suspend the operation of the judgment or order terminating parental rights. Motions under this subsection and appeals to the court of appeals shall be the exclusive remedies for such a parent to obtain a new hearing in a termination of parental rights proceeding.
275,107
Section 107
. 48.62 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.62 (2) A relative as defined in s. 48.02 (15) or as specified in s. 49.19 (1) (a) or a guardian of a child, who provides care and maintenance for a child, is not required to obtain the license specified in this section. The department, county department or licensed child welfare agency as provided in s. 48.75 may issue a license to operate a foster home or a treatment foster home to a relative who has no duty of support under s. 49.90 (1) (a) and who requests a license to operate a foster home or treatment foster home for a specific child who is either placed by court order or who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement under s. 48.63. The department, a county department or a licensed child welfare agency may, at the request of a guardian appointed under s. 48.977 or ch. 880, license the guardian's home as a foster home or treatment foster home for the guardian's minor ward who is living in the home and who is placed in the home by court order. Relatives with no duty of support and guardians appointed under s. 48.977 or ch. 880 who are licensed to operate foster homes or treatment foster homes are subject to the department's licensing rules.
Note: Current s. 48.62 (2), stats., relating to licensing of foster homes, specifies all of the following, in pertinent part:
1. That the department of health and social services (DHSS), a county department of human services or social services (county department) or a licensed child welfare agency may, at the request of a guardian appointed under ch. 880, stats., license the guardian's home as a foster home or treatment foster home for the guardian's minor ward who is living in the home and who is placed in the home by an order of the juvenile court.
2. That relatives with no duty of support and guardians appointed under ch. 880, stats., who are licensed to operate foster homes or treatment foster homes are subject to the licensing rules.
This Section adds guardians appointed under s. 48.977, stats., as created by this bill, to the provisions in s. 48.62 (2), stats., which currently refer only to guardians appointed under ch. 880, stats.
275,108
Section 108
. 48.831 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.831 (title) Appointment of guardian for child without a living parent for adoptability finding.
275,109
Section 109
. 48.831 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.831 (1) Type of guardianship. This section may be used for the appointment of a guardian of a child who does not have a living parent if a finding as to the adoptability of a child is sought. Chapter Except as provided in s. 48.977, ch. 880 applies to the appointment of a guardian for a child who does not have a living parent for all other purposes. An appointment of a guardian of the estate of a child who does not have a living parent shall be conducted in accordance with the procedures specified in ch. 880.
Note: Current s. 48.831 (1), stats., specifies that except for appointment of a guardian for a child without a living parent for purposes of an adoptability finding regarding the child (which appointment and procedure are done under s. 48.831, stats.), ch. 880, stats., applies to the appointment of a guardian for a child who does not have a living parent for all other purposes. This Section provides that, except for guardianships under s. 48.977, stats., as created by this bill, and guardianships under current s. 48.831, stats., ch. 880, stats., applies to the appointment of a guardian for a child who does not have a living parent for all other purposes.
275,109m
Section 109m. 48.833 of the statutes is amended to read:
48.833 Placement of children for adoption by the department, county departments and child welfare agencies. The department, a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm) or a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.60 may place a child for adoption in a licensed foster home or a licensed treatment foster home without a court order if the department, county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm) or the child welfare agency is the guardian of the child or makes the placement at the request of another agency which is the guardian of the child. Before placing a child for adoption under this section, the department, county department or child welfare agency making the placement shall consider the availability of a placement for adoption with a relative of the child who is identified in the child's permanency plan under s. 48.38 or 938.38 or who is otherwise known by the department, county department or child welfare agency. When a child is placed under this section in a licensed foster home or a licensed treatment foster home for adoption, the department, county department or child welfare agency making the placement shall enter into a written agreement with the adoptive parent, which shall state the date on which the child is placed in the licensed foster home or licensed treatment foster home for adoption by the adoptive parent.
275,110
Section 110
. 48.977 of the statutes is created to read:
48.977 Appointment of relatives as guardians for certain children in need of protection or services. (1) Definition. In this section, “relative" means a relative as defined in s. 48.02 (15) or as specified in s. 49.19 (1) (a) 2. a.
(2) Type of guardianship. This section may be used for the appointment of a relative of a child as a guardian of the person for the child if the court finds all of the following:
(a) That the child has been adjudged to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 (1), (2), (3), (3m), (4), (5), (8), (9), (10), (10m), (11) or (11m) or 938.13 (4) and been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home pursuant to one or more court orders under s. 48.345, 48.357, 48.363, 48.365, 938.345, 938.357, 938.363 or 938.365 for a cumulative total period of one year or longer.
(b) That the person nominated as the guardian of the child is a relative of the child with whom the child has been placed and that it is likely that the child will continue to be placed with that relative for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years.
(c) That, if appointed, it is likely that the relative would be willing and able to serve as the child's guardian for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years.
(d) That it is not in the best interests of the child that a petition to terminate parental rights be filed with respect to the child.
(e) That the child's parent is neglecting, refusing or unable to carry out the duties of a guardian or, if the child has 2 parents, both parents are neglecting, refusing or unable to carry out the duties of a guardian.
(f) That the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order has made reasonable efforts to make it possible for the child to return to his or her home but that reunification of the child with the child's parent or parents is unlikely or contrary to the best interests of the child and that further reunification efforts are unlikely to be made or are contrary to the best interests of the child.
Note: Creates a new section in ch. 48 relating to the appointment of a relative as a guardian for a child adjudged CHIPS because the child: (1) is without a parent or guardian; (2) has been abandoned; (3) has been the victim of sexual or physical abuse; (4) is at substantial risk of becoming the victim of sexual or physical abuse based on information that another child in the home has been the victim of such abuse; (5) has a parent or guardian who signs a petition requesting juvenile court jurisdiction and who is unable or needs assistance to care for, control or provide necessary special treatment or care for the child; (6) has been placed for care or adoption in violation of law; (7) is receiving inadequate care during the period of time a parent is missing, incarcerated, hospitalized or institutionalized; (8) is at least 12 years of age, signs a petition requesting juvenile court jurisdiction and is in need of special treatment or care which the parent, guardian or legal custodian is unwilling, neglecting, unable or needs assistance to provide; (9) has a parent, guardian or legal custodian who neglects, refuses or is unable, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child; (10) has a parent, guardian or legal custodian who is at substantial risk of neglecting, refusing or being unable, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care because that person has seriously endangered the physical health of another child in the home; (11) is suffering emotional damage for which the parent, guardian or legal custodian is neglecting, refusing or unable to provide treatment; or (12) is suffering from an alcohol or other drug abuse impairment, exhibited to a severe degree, for which the parent, guardian or legal custodian is neglecting, refusing or unable to provide treatment. [In describing the grounds for CHIPS jurisdiction which are listed in this Section, the Note reflects the modifications of several of these grounds as set forth in this bill. This Section, however, also applies to a child adjudged CHIPS under any of the listed grounds prior to those modifications.]
In order to have a guardian appointed under this new section, the juvenile court must find all of the following:
1. That the child has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home pursuant to one or more juvenile court orders under s. 48.345 or 938.345, stats. (disposition of child adjudged CHIPS), 48.357 or 938.357, stats. (change in placement), 48.363 or 938.363, stats. (revision of dispositional order), or 48.365, stats. (extension of dispositional order), for a cumulative period of one year or longer.
2. That all of the items set forth in s. 48.977 (2) (b) to (f), stats., as created by this bill, have been met, including that it is likely that the child will continue to be placed with his or her relative-guardian for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years; that the relative would be willing and able to serve as the child's guardian for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years; that it is not in the best interests of the child that a TPR petition be filed with respect to the child; that the child's parent is, or if the child has 2 parents that the parents are, neglecting, refusing or unable to carry out the duties of a guardian; and that the agency responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to return the child to his or her home but that reunification with the child's parent or parents is unlikely or contrary to the best interests of the child.
(3) Designation as a permanent placement. If a court appoints a guardian for a child under sub. (2), the court may designate the child's placement with that guardian as the child's permanent foster placement, but only for purposes of s. 48.368 (2).
(4) Procedure and disposition. (a) Who may file petition. Any of the following persons may file a petition for the appointment of a guardian for a child under sub. (2):
1. The child or the child's guardian or legal custodian.
2. The child's guardian ad litem.
3. The child's parent.
4. The relative with whom the child is placed if the relative is nominated as the guardian of the child in the petition.
5. The department.
6. A county department.
7. A licensed child welfare agency that has been assigned primary responsibility for providing services to the child under a court order.
8. The person representing the interests of the public under s. 48.09.
(b) Contents of petition. A proceeding for the appointment of a guardian for a child under sub. (2) shall be initiated by a petition which shall be entitled “In the interest of .... (child's name), a person under the age of 18" and shall set forth all of the following with specificity:
1. The name, birth date and address of the child.
2. The names and addresses of the child's parent or parents, guardian and legal custodian.
3. The date the child was adjudged in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 (1), (2), (3), (3m), (4), (5), (8), (9), (10), (10m), (11) or (11m) or 938.13 (4) and the dates that the child has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home pursuant to one or more court orders under s. 48.345, 48.357, 48.363, 48.365, 938.345, 938.357, 938.363 or 938.365.
4. A statement of the facts and circumstances which the petition alleges establish that the conditions specified in sub. (2) (b) to (f) are met.
5. A statement of whether the proceedings are subject to the uniform child custody jurisdiction act under ch. 822.
6. A statement of whether the child may be subject to the federal Indian child welfare act, 25 USC 1911 to 1963.
(c) Service of petition and notice. 1. The petitioner shall cause the petition and notice of the time and place of the hearing under par. (cm) to be served upon all of the following persons:
a. The child if the child is 12 years of age or older.
b. The child's guardian and legal custodian.
c. The child's guardian ad litem.
d. The child's counsel.
e. The child's parent.
f. The persons to whom notice is required to be given under s. 48.27 (3) (b) 1.
g. The relative with whom the child is placed if the relative is nominated as the guardian of the child in the petition.
h. The person representing the interests of the public under s. 48.09.
i. The agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order.
2. Service shall be made by 1st class mail at least 7 days before the hearing or by personal service at least 7 days before the hearing or, if with reasonable diligence a party specified in subd. 1. cannot be served by mail or personal service, service shall be made by publication of a notice published as a class 1 notice under ch. 985. In determining which newspaper is likely to give notice as required under s. 985.02 (1), the petitioner shall consider the residence of the party, if known, or the residence of the relatives of the party, if known, or the last-known location of the party.
(cm) Plea hearing. 1. A hearing to determine whether any party wishes to contest a petition filed under par. (a) shall take place on a date which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the filing of the petition. At the hearing, the nonpetitioning parties and the child, if he or she is 12 years of age or over or is otherwise competent to do so, shall state whether they wish to contest the petition. Before accepting a plea of no contest to the allegations in the petition, the court shall do all of the following:
a. Address the parties present and determine that the plea is made voluntarily and with understanding of the nature of the facts alleged in the petition, the nature of the potential disposition and the nature of the legal consequences of that disposition.
b. Establish whether any promises or threats were made to elicit the plea of no contest and alert all unrepresented parties to the possibility that an attorney may discover grounds to contest the petition that would not be apparent to those parties.
c. Make inquiries to establish to the satisfaction of the court that there is a factual basis for the plea of no contest.
2. If the petition is not contested and if the court accepts the plea of no contest, the court may immediately proceed to a dispositional hearing under par. (f), unless an adjournment is requested. If a party requests an adjournment, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the plea hearing.
3. If the petition is contested or if the court does not accept the plead of no contest, the court shall set a date for a fact-finding hearing under par. (d) which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is not more than 30 days after the plea hearing.
(d) Fact-finding hearing. The court shall hold a fact-finding hearing on the petition on the date set by the court under par. (cm) 3., at which any party may present evidence relevant to the issue of whether the conditions specified in sub. (2) (a) to (f) have been met. If the court, at the conclusion of the fact-finding hearing, finds by clear and convincing evidence that the conditions specified in sub. (2) (a) to (f) have been met, the court shall immediately proceed to a dispositional hearing unless an adjournment is requested. If a party requests an adjournment, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the fact-finding hearing.
(e) Court report. The court shall order the person or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order to file with the court a report containing the written summary under s. 48.38 (5) (e) and as much information relating to the appointment of a guardian as is reasonably ascertainable. The agency shall file the report at least 48 hours before the date of the dispositional hearing under par. (f).
(fm) Dispositional hearing. The court shall hold a dispositional hearing on the petition at the time specified or set by the court under par. (cm) 2. or (d), at which any party may present evidence, including expert testimony, relevant to the disposition.
(g) Dispositional factors. In determining the appropriate disposition under this section, the best interests of the child shall be the prevailing factor to be considered by the court. In making a decision about the appropriate disposition, the court shall consider any report submitted under par. (e) and shall consider, but not be limited to, all of the following:
1. Whether the relative would be a suitable guardian of the child.
2. The willingness and ability of the relative to serve as the child's guardian for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years.
3. The wishes of the child.
(h) Disposition. After receiving any evidence relating to the disposition, the court shall enter one of the following dispositions within 10 days after the dispositional hearing:
1. A disposition dismissing the petition if the court determines that appointment of the relative as the child's guardian is not in the best interests of the child.
2. A disposition ordering that the relative with whom the child has been placed be appointed as the child's guardian under sub. (5) (a) or limited guardian under sub. (5) (b), if the court determines that such an appointment is in the best interests of the child.
(i) Effect of disposition on permanency plan review process. After a disposition under par. (h), the child's permanency plan shall continue to be reviewed under s. 48.38 (5), if applicable.
(5) Duties and authority of guardian. (a) Full guardianship. Unless limited under par. (b), a guardian appointed under sub. (2) shall have all of the duties and authority specified in s. 48.023.
(b) Limited guardianship. The court may order that the duties and authority of a guardian appointed under sub. (2) be limited. The duties and authority of a limited guardian shall be as specified by the order of appointment under sub. (4) (h) 2. or any revised order under sub. (6). All provisions of the statutes concerning the duties and authority of a guardian shall apply to a limited guardian appointed under sub. (2) to the extent those provisions are relevant to the duties or authority of the limited guardian, except as limited by the order of appointment.
Note: Creates provisions relating to the duties and authority of a guardian and a limited guardian appointed under s. 48.977 (2), stats., as created by this bill. A guardian shall have the duties and authority of a guardian specified in s. 48.023, stats. A limited guardian shall have such duties and authority as specified by the juvenile court's order of appointment or any revised order under s. 48.977 (6), stats., as created by this bill. This subsection specifies that all provisions of the statutes concerning the duties and authority of a guardian shall apply to a limited guardian under s. 48.977 (2), stats., as created by this bill, to the extent those provisions are relevant to the duties or authority of the limited guardian, except as limited by the order of appointment.
(6) Revision of guardianship order. (a) Any person authorized to file a petition under sub. (4) (a) may request a revision in a guardianship order entered under this subsection or sub. (4) (h) 2., or the court may, on its own motion, propose such a revision. The request or court proposal shall set forth in detail the nature of the proposed revision, shall allege facts sufficient to show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order affecting the guardianship was entered and that the proposed revision would be in the best interests of the child and shall allege any other information that affects the advisability of the court's disposition.
(b) The court shall hold a hearing on the matter prior to any revision of the guardianship order if the request or court proposal indicates that new information is available which affects the advisability of the court's guardianship order, unless written waivers of objections to the revision are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under sub. (4) (c) and the court approves the waivers.
(c) If a hearing is to be held, the court shall notify the persons entitled to receive notice under sub. (4) (c) at least 7 days prior to the hearing of the date, place and purpose of the hearing. A copy of the request or proposal shall be attached to the notice. The court may order a revision if, at the hearing, the court finds that it has been proved by clear and convincing evidence that there has been a substantial change in circumstances and if the court determines that a revision would be in the best interests of the child.
