275,147j
Section 147j. 938.27 (3) (a) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is renumbered 938.27 (3) (a) 1. and amended to read:
938.27 (3) (a) 1. The court shall also notify, under s. 938.273, the juvenile and, any parent, guardian and legal custodian of the juvenile, any foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the juvenile and any person specified in par. (b), if applicable, of all hearings involving the juvenile under this subchapter, except hearings on motions for which notice need only be provided to the juvenile and his or her counsel. Where parents entitled to notice have the same place of residence, notice to one shall constitute notice to the other. The first notice to any interested party, foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) shall be written and may have a copy of the petition attached to it. Thereafter, notice of hearings may be given by telephone at least 72 hours before the time of the hearing. The person giving telephone notice shall place in the case file a signed statement of the time notice was given and the person to whom he or she spoke.
275,147k
Section 147k. 938.27 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
938.27 (3) (a) 2. Failure to give notice under subd. 1. to a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) does not deprive the court of jurisdiction in the action or proceeding. If a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) is not given notice of a hearing under subd. 1. and if the court is required under this chapter to permit that person to make a written or oral statement at the hearing or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing and that person does not make or submit such statement, that person may request a rehearing on the matter during the pendency of an order resulting from the hearing. If the request is made, the court shall order a rehearing.
275,147L
Section 147L. 938.299 (1) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:
938.299 (1) (ag) If a public hearing is not held, in addition to persons permitted to attend under par. (a), the juvenile's foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) may be present, except that the court may exclude a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) from any portion of the hearing if that portion of the hearing deals with sensitive personal information of the juvenile or the juvenile's family or if the court determines that excluding the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian would be in the best interests of the juvenile.
275,147m
Section 147m. 938.299 (6) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is renumbered 938.299 (6) (intro.) and amended to read:
938.299 (6) (intro.) If a man who has been given notice under s. 938.27 (3) (b) 1. appears at any hearing for which he received the notice, alleges that he is the father of the juvenile and states that he wishes to establish the paternity of the juvenile, the all of the following apply:
(a) The court shall refer the matter to the state or to the attorney responsible for support enforcement under s. 59.458 (1) for a determination, under s. 767.45, of whether an action should be brought for the purpose of determining the paternity of the juvenile.
(d) The court may stay the proceedings under this chapter pending the outcome of the paternity proceedings under ss. 767.45 to 767.60 if the court determines that the paternity proceedings will not unduly delay the proceedings under this chapter and the determination of paternity is necessary to the court's disposition of the juvenile if the juvenile is found to be in need of protection or services. As part of the proceedings under this chapter, the court may order that a record be made of any testimony of the juvenile's mother relating to the juvenile's paternity. A record made under this subsection is admissible in a proceeding to determine the juvenile's paternity under ss. 767.45 to 767.60.
275,147n
Section 147n. 938.299 (6) (b), (c) and (e) of the statutes are created to read:
938.299 (6) (b) The state or the attorney responsible for support enforcement who receives a referral under par. (a) shall perform the duties specified under s. 767.45 (5) (c) and (6r).
(c) The court having jurisdiction over actions affecting the family shall give priority under 767.475 (7m) to an action brought under s. 767.45 whenever the petition filed under s. 767.45 indicates that the matter was referred by the court under par. (a).
(e) 1. In this paragraph, “genetic test" means a test that examines genetic markers present on blood cells, skin cells, tissue cells, bodily fluid cells or cells of another body material for the purpose of determining the statistical probability that a man who is alleged to be a juvenile's father is the juvenile's biological father.
2. The court shall, at the hearing, orally inform any man specified in sub. (6) (intro.) that he may be required to pay for any testing ordered by the court under this paragraph or under s. 885.23.
3. In addition to ordering testing as provided under s. 885.23, if the court determines that it would be in the best interests of the juvenile, the court may order any man specified in sub. (6) (intro.) to submit to one or more genetic tests which shall be performed by an expert qualified as an examiner of genetic markers present on the cells and of the specific body material to be used for the tests, as appointed by the court. A report completed and certified by the court-appointed expert stating genetic test results and the statistical probability that the man alleged to be the juvenile's father is the juvenile's biological father based upon the genetic tests is admissible as evidence without expert testimony and may be entered into the record at any hearing. The court, upon request by a party, may order that independent tests be performed by other experts qualified as examiners of genetic markers present on the cells of the specific body materials to be used for the tests.
4. If the genetic tests show that an alleged father is not excluded and that the statistical probability that the alleged father is the child's biological father is 99.0% or higher, the court may determine that for purposes of a proceeding under this chapter or ch. 48, other than a proceeding under subch. VIII of ch. 48, the man is the juvenile's biological parent.
5. A determination by the court under subd. 4. is not a judgment of paternity under ch. 767 or an adjudication of paternity under subch. VIII of ch. 48.
275,147ng
Section 147ng. 938.299 (7) of the statutes is created to read:
938.299 (7) If a man who has been given notice under s. 938.27 (3) (b) 1. appears at any hearing for which he received the notice but does not allege that he is the father of the juvenile and state that he wishes to establish the paternity of the juvenile or if no man to whom such notice was given appears at a hearing, the court may refer the matter to the state or to the attorney responsible for support enforcement under s. 59.458 (1) for a determination, under s. 767.45, of whether an action should be brought for the purpose of determining the paternity of the juvenile.
275,147p
Section 147p. 938.299 (8) of the statutes is created to read:
938.299 (8) As part of the proceedings under this chapter, the court may order that a record be made of any testimony of the juvenile's mother relating to the juvenile's paternity. A record made under this subsection is admissible in a proceeding to determine the juvenile's paternity under ss. 767.45 to 767.60.
275,147q
Section 147q. 938.356 (1) and (2) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, are amended to read:
938.356 (1) Whenever the court orders a juvenile to be placed outside his or her home or denies a parent visitation because the juvenile has been adjudged to be in need of protection or services under s. 938.345, 938.357, 938.363 or 938.365, the court shall orally inform the parent or parents who appear in court of any grounds for termination of parental rights under s. 48.415 which may be applicable and of the conditions necessary for the juvenile to be returned to the home or for the parent to be granted visitation.
(2) In addition to the notice required under sub. (1), any written order which places a juvenile outside the home or denies visitation under sub. (1) shall notify the parent or parents of the information specified under sub. (1).
275,147r
Section 147r. 938.357 (1) and (2m) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, are amended to read:
938.357 (1) The person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order or the district attorney may request a change in the placement of the juvenile, whether or not the change requested is authorized in the dispositional order and shall cause written notice to be sent to the juvenile or the juvenile's counsel or guardian ad litem, parent, foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), guardian and legal custodian. The notice shall contain the name and address of the new placement, the reasons for the change in placement, a statement describing why the new placement is preferable to the present placement and a statement of how the new placement satisfies objectives of the treatment plan ordered by the court. Any person receiving the notice under this subsection or notice of the specific foster or treatment foster placement under s. 938.355 (2) (b) 2. may obtain a hearing on the matter by filing an objection with the court within 10 days after receipt of the notice. Placements shall not be changed until 10 days after such notice is sent to the court unless the parent, guardian or legal custodian and the juvenile, if 12 or more years of age, sign written waivers of objection, except that placement changes which were authorized in the dispositional order may be made immediately if notice is given as required in this subsection. In addition, a hearing is not required for placement changes authorized in the dispositional order except where an objection filed by a person who received notice alleges that new information is available which affects the advisability of the court's dispositional order. If a hearing is held under this subsection and the change in placement would remove a juvenile from a foster home, treatment foster home or other placement with a physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), the court shall permit the foster parent may, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) to make a written or oral statement during the hearing or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing relating to the juvenile and the requested change in placement.
(2m) The juvenile, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the juvenile or any person or agency primarily bound by the dispositional order, other than the person or agency responsible for implementing the order, may request a change in placement under this subsection. The request shall contain the name and address of the place of the new placement requested and shall state what new information is available which affects the advisability of the current placement. This request shall be submitted to the court. In addition, the court may propose a change in placement on its own motion. The court shall hold a hearing on the matter prior to ordering any change in placement under this subsection if the request states that new information is available which affects the advisability of the current placement, unless written waivers of objection to the proposed change in placement are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under sub. (1) and the court approves. If a hearing is scheduled, the court shall notify the juvenile, the parent, foster parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the juvenile, any foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the juvenile and all parties who are bound by the dispositional order at least 3 days prior to the hearing. A copy of the request or proposal for the change in placement shall be attached to the notice. If all the parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing. If a hearing is held under this subsection and the change in placement would remove a juvenile from a foster home, treatment foster home or other placement with a physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), the court shall permit the foster parent may, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) to make a written or oral statement during the hearing or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, relating to the juvenile and the requested change in placement.
275,147s
Section 147s. 938.361 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is amended to read:
938.361 (2) (a) 1. If a juvenile's parent neglects, refuses or is unable to provide or refuses to provide court-ordered alcohol and other drug abuse services for the juvenile through his or her health insurance or other 3rd-party payments, notwithstanding s. 938.36 (3) the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 or municipal court may order the parent to pay for the alcohol and drug abuse services. If the parent consents to provide alcohol and other drug abuse services for a juvenile through his or her health insurance or other 3rd-party payments but the health insurance provider or other 3rd-party payer refuses to provide the alcohol and other drug abuse services the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 or municipal court may order the health insurance provider or 3rd-party payer to pay for the alcohol and other drug abuse services in accordance with the terms of the parent's health insurance policy or other 3rd-party payment plan.
275,147t
Section 147t. 938.362 (3) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is amended to read:
938.362 (3) If a juvenile's parent neglects, refuses or is unable to provide or refuses to provide court-ordered special treatment or care for the juvenile through his or her health insurance or other 3rd-party payments, notwithstanding s. 938.36 (3), the court may order the parent to pay for the court-ordered special treatment or care. If the parent consents to provide court-ordered special treatment or care for a juvenile through his or her health insurance or other 3rd-party payments but the health insurance provider or other 3rd-party payer refuses to provide the court-ordered special treatment or care, the court may order the health insurance provider or 3rd-party payer to pay for the court-ordered special treatment or care in accordance with the terms of the parent's health insurance policy or other 3rd-party payment plan.
275,147u
Section 147u. 938.363 (1) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is amended to read:
938.363 (1) A juvenile, the juvenile's parent, guardian or legal custodian, any person or agency bound by a dispositional order or the district attorney or corporation counsel in the county in which the dispositional order was entered may request a revision in the order that does not involve a change in placement, including a revision with respect to the amount of child support to be paid by a parent, 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 and what new information is available that affects the advisability of the court's disposition. The request or court proposal shall be submitted to the court. The court shall hold a hearing on the matter if the request or court proposal indicates that new information is available which affects the advisability of the court's dispositional order and prior to any revision of the dispositional order, unless written waivers of objections to the revision are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice and the court approves. If a hearing is held, the court shall notify the parent, juvenile, the juvenile's parent, guardian and legal custodian, all parties bound by the dispositional order, the juvenile's foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), and the district attorney or corporation counsel in the county in which the dispositional order was entered at least 3 days prior to the hearing. A copy of the request or proposal shall be attached to the notice. If the proposed revision is for a change in the amount of child support to be paid by a parent, the court shall order the juvenile's parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court and the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order by a date specified by the court. The clerk of court shall provide, without charge, to any parent ordered to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses a document setting forth the percentage standard established by the department of health and social services under s. 46.25 (9) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 46.10 (14) (c). If all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing. No revision may extend the effective period of the original order, or revise an original order under s. 938.34 (3) (f) or (6) (am) to impose more than 30 days of detention, nonsecure custody or inpatient treatment on a child.
275,147v
Section 147v. 938.363 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:
938.363 (1m) If a hearing is held under sub. (1), any party may present evidence relevant to the issue of revision of the dispositional order. In addition, the court shall permit a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, relevant to the issue of revision.
275,147w
Section 147w. 938.365 (2) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is amended to read:
938.365 (2) No order may be extended without a hearing. The court shall notify the juvenile or the juvenile's guardian ad litem or counsel, the juvenile's parent, guardian, legal custodian, all of the parties present at the original hearing, the juvenile's foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), and the district attorney or corporation counsel in the county in which the dispositional order was entered of the time and place of the hearing.
275,147x
Section 147x. 938.365 (2m) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:
938.365 (2m) (ag) In addition to any evidence presented under par. (a), the court shall permit a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the juvenile to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, relevant to the issue of extension.
275,147y
Section 147y. 938.371 (intro.) (except 938.371 (title)) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is repealed.
275,147ym
Section 147ym. 938.371 (1) and (2) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, are renumbered 938.371 (1) (a) and (b) and amended to read:
938.371 (1) (a) Results of a test or a series of tests of the juvenile to determine the presence of HIV, as defined in s. 968.38 (1) (b), antigen or nonantigenic products of HIV, or an antibody to HIV, if the juvenile's parent or a temporary or permanent guardian appointed by the court has consented to the test under s. 252.15 (2) (a) 4. b. and release of the test results as provided under s. 252.15 (5) (a) 19. and, including results included in a court report or permanency plan. At the time that the test results are provided, the agency directed to prepare the permanency plan notifies shall notify the foster parent
, treatment foster parent or operator of the group home or, child caring institution or secured correctional facility of the confidentiality requirements under s. 252.15 (6).
(b) Results of any tests of the juvenile to determine the presence of viral hepatitis, type B, including results included in a court report or permanency plan. The foster parent, treatment foster parent or operator of a group home or, child caring institution
or secured correctional facility receiving information under this subsection paragraph shall keep the information confidential.
275,147z
Section 147z. 938.371 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is created to read:
938.371 (1) (intro.) If a juvenile is placed in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility, including a placement under s. 938.205 or 938.21, the agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), that placed the juvenile or arranged for the placement of the juvenile shall provide the following information to the foster parent, treatment foster parent or operator of the group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility at the time of placement or, if the information has not been provided to the agency by that time, as soon as possible after the date on which the agency receives that information, but not more than 2 working days after that date:
275,147zc
Section 147zc. 938.371 (3) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is amended to read:
938.371 (3) Findings At the time of placement of a juvenile in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility or, if the information is not available at that time, as soon as possible after the date on which the court report or permanency plan has been submitted, but no later than 7 days after that date, the agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), responsible for preparing the juvenile's permanency plan shall provide to the foster parent, treatment foster parent or operator of the group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility information contained in the court report submitted under s. 938.33 (1) or 938.365 (2g) or permanency plan submitted under s. 938.355 (2e) or 938.38 relating to findings or opinions of the court or agency that prepared the court report or permanency plan relating to any mental, emotional, cognitive, developmental or behavioral disability of the juvenile. The foster parent, treatment foster parent or operator of a group home or, child caring institution or secured correctional facility receiving information under this subsection shall keep the information confidential.
275,147zg
Section 147zg. 938.38 (1) (b) of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is amended to read:
938.38 (1) (b) “Permanency plan" means a plan designed to ensure that a juvenile is reunified with his or her family whenever possible appropriate, or that the juvenile quickly attains a placement or home providing long-term stability.
275,147zj
Section 147zj. 938.38 (4) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
938.38 (4) (bm) The availability of a placement with a relative of the child and, if a decision is made not to place the child with an available relative, why placement with the relative is not appropriate.
275,147zm
Section 147zm. 938.38 (5) (c) 2. of the statutes, as created by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is amended to read:
938.38 (5) (c) 2. The extent of compliance with the permanency plan by the agency and any other service providers, the juvenile's parents and, the juvenile and the juvenile's guardian, if any.
275,147zp
Section 147zp. 938.38 (5) (c) 6. am. of the statutes is created to read:
938.38 (5) (c) 6. am. Being placed in the home of a relative of the child.
275,9110
Section 9110.
Nonstatutory provisions; circuit courts.
(1) Abandonment.
(a) Subject to paragraph (b), no person may file a petition under section 48.42 (1) of the statutes for termination of parental rights on the grounds specified in section 48.415 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes, as affected by this act, unless the parent against whom the petition is filed has received the notice under section 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2) of the statutes of the grounds for termination of parental rights under section 48.415 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes, as affected by this act, and 3 months or longer have elapsed since the date of that notice.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if a parent has received the notice under section 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2) of the statutes of the grounds for termination of parental rights under section 48.415 (1) (a) 2., 1993 stats., within the 6 months preceding the effective date of this paragraph, no person may file a petition under section 48.42 (1) of the statutes for termination of parental rights on the grounds specified in section 48.415 (1) (a) 2., of the statutes, as affected by this act, until 6 months or longer have elapsed since the date of that notice.
(c) This subsection does not preclude a person from filing a petition under section 48.42 (1) of the statutes for termination of parental rights on the grounds specified in section 48.415 (1) (a) 2., 1993 stats., against a parent who has received the notice under section 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2) of the statutes of the grounds for termination of parental rights under section 48.415 (1) (a) 2., 1993 stats., if 6 months or longer have elapsed since the date of that notice.
Note: Specifies that no person may file a TPR petition based on the grounds specified in s. 48.415 (1) (a) 2., stats., as affected by this bill, (placement of the child outside the home by a juvenile court order containing the notice required under s. 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2), stats., of those grounds and the parent has failed to visit or communicate with the child for 3 months or longer) unless the parent against whom the TPR petition is filed has received that notice and 3 months or longer have elapsed since the date of the notice, except that if the parent has received notice of the grounds specified in s. 48.415 (1) (a) 2., 1993 stats., (placement of the child outside the home by a juvenile court order containing the notice required under s. 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2), stats., and the parent has failed to visit or communicate with the child for 6 months or longer) within the 6 months preceding the effective date of this bill, then no person may file a TPR petition based on the grounds specified in s. 48.42 (1) (a) 2., stats., as affected by this bill, until 6 months, rather than 3 months, have elapsed since the date of the notice. This subsection also specifies that a person is not precluded from filing a TPR petition based on the grounds of abandonment under prior law if the parent against whom the TPR petition is filed has received notice of the grounds for TPR under prior law and 6 months or longer have elapsed since the date of that notice.
(2) Continuing need of protection or services.
(a) Subject to paragraph (b), no person may file a petition under section 48.42 (1) of the statutes for termination of parental rights on the grounds specified in section 48.415 (2) (c) of the statutes, as affected by this act, unless the parent against whom the petition is filed has received the notice under section 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2) of the statutes of the grounds for termination of parental rights under section 48.415 (2) (c) of the statutes, as affected by this act, and 6 months or longer have elapsed since the date of that notice.
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), if a parent has received the notice under section 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2) of the statutes of the grounds for termination of parental rights under section 48.415 (2) (c), 1993 stats., with respect to a child who had attained the age of 3 years at the time of the initial order placing the child outside the home within one year preceding the effective date of this paragraph, no person may file a petition under section 48.42 (1) of the statutes for termination of parental rights over the child on the grounds specified in section 48.415 (2) (c) of the statutes, as affected by this act, until one year or longer has elapsed since the date of that notice.
(c) This subsection does not preclude a person from filing a petition under section 48.42 (1) of the statutes for termination of parental rights over a child who had attained the age of 3 years at the time of the initial order placing the child outside the home on the grounds specified in section 48.415 (2) (c), 1993 stats., against a parent who has received the notice under section 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2) of the statutes of the grounds for termination of parental rights under section 48.415 (2) (c), 1993 stats., if one year or longer has elapsed since the date of that notice.
Note: Specifies that no person may file a TPR petition based on the grounds specified in s. 48.415 (2) (c), stats., as affected by this bill, (placement of a child of any age outside the home by a juvenile court order containing the notice required under s. 48.356 (2), stats., of those grounds for 6 months or longer and the parent has failed to demonstrate substantial progress toward meeting the conditions established for the return of the child to the home) unless the parent against whom the TPR petition is filed has received that notice and 6 months or longer have elapsed since the date of the notice, except that if the parent has received notice of the grounds specified in s. 48.415 (1), (2) (c), 1993 stats., with respect to a child who had attained the age of 3 years at the time of the initial order placing the child outside the home (placement outside the home by a juvenile court order containing the notice required under s. 48.356 (2), stats., for one year or longer and the parent has failed to demonstrate substantial progress toward meeting the conditions established for the return of the child to the home) within one year preceding the effective date of this bill, then no person may file a TPR petition with respect to that child based on the grounds specified in s. 48.42 (2) (c), stats., as affected by this act, until one year, rather than 6 months, has elapsed since the date of the notice. This subsection also specifies that a person is not precluded from filing a petition for TPR over a child who had attained the age of 3 years at the time of the initial order placing the child outside the home based on the grounds of continuing CHIPS under prior law if the parent against whom the TPR petition is filed has received notice of the grounds for TPR under prior law and one year or longer has elapsed since the date of that notice.
275,9137
Section 9137.
Nonstatutory provisions; legislature.
(1) Child abuse and neglect prevention study. The joint legislative council is requested to study the use and effectiveness of systems and programs directed at, and resources allocated to, the prevention of child abuse and neglect to determine the effectiveness of those systems, programs and resources in preventing child abuse and neglect in this state and the need for new or revised systems and programs and new mechanisms for providing and allocating funding for preventing child abuse and neglect. During the 1997-98 legislative session, the joint legislative council shall submit its findings, conclusions and recommendations to the legislature in the manner provided under section 13.172 (2) of the statutes, to the joint committee on finance and to the governor.
Note: This Section requests the joint legislative council to study all of the following:
1. The use and effectiveness of systems and programs directed at, and resources allocated to, the prevention of child abuse and neglect to determine the effectiveness of those systems, programs and resources in preventing child abuse and neglect in the state.
2. The need for new or revised systems and programs and new mechanisms for providing and allocating funding for preventing child abuse and neglect.
In the charge to the joint legislative council's 1994-95 special committee on children in need of protection or services, the committee was directed to study ch. 48 as it applies to children in need of protection or services in order to examine, in pertinent part: (1) the effectiveness of current law and the resources of the state and counties in providing for the needs of such children and their families; and (2) methods of increasing the stability of funding for community-based, nonresidential programs for such children.
In its study, the committee received substantial testimony that, with reference to breaking the cycle of child abuse or neglect, a key and effective mechanism is to prevent the initial occurrence of child abuse or neglect. After a number of public hearings and a series of discussions in the committee, the committee expressed a consensus that: (1) the state's statutes should be based on a commitment to preventing abuse and neglect and breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect when it has occurred; and (2) existing programs are too few and are inadequately or inappropriately funded to prevent the initial occurrence of abuse or neglect and to provide early intervention services in those cases where abuse or neglect has occurred. The committee heard testimony about a number of possible mechanisms to provide primary prevention and early intervention, including programs and initiatives (some of which currently exist, on a small scale, in this state) directed at all of the following:
1. Providing support and training (though social workers, nurses and others) for a single parent or family at risk of child abuse or neglect (determined by an assessment instrument) at the time of, or shortly after, a child's birth (or, in some cases, prior to birth) and, as needed, for several years thereafter.
2. Providing for home visitation by social workers, nurses or others in such at-risk families' homes.
3. Possible pooling and coordination of existing state resources focusing on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
4. Strategies to develop public-private and federal, state and local partnerships to prevent child abuse and neglect.
5. Strategies to implement coordination between state institutions of higher education (with, among other things, their extensive research capacities) and the providers of services relating to child abuse and neglect.
6. Education and public awareness efforts such as media messages explaining the link between child abuse and neglect and delinquency and the need for parents and others to seek help when they are in danger of abusing or neglecting children.
7. Reducing poor parenting skills, isolation from positive community supports and family stress, which have been identified as causes or correlates of child abuse and neglect.
8. Establishing treatment programs for abused and neglected children and young adults to prevent them from becoming delinquents and criminals, and establishing programs for life skills training for children and young adults in general.
9. Increasing child care opportunities and other family-support services for these families.
10. Encouraging self-help groups and other neighborhood supports for these families.
Due to time constraints and the multiplicity of issues the committee had to consider, the committee did not act on the prevention aspects of its charge, even though there was a consensus to do so. The committee, therefore, requested that the joint legislative council establish the child abuse and neglect prevention study set forth in this bill. It is the intent of the committee in requesting this study that the study not focus on the existing statutes and rules relating to child abuse and neglect, but on the actual systems and programs used in this state and the need for new or revised systems and programs and for new or revised funding mechanisms relating to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
275,9310
Section 9310.
Initial applicability; circuit courts.
(1) Discovery in proceedings under the children's code. The treatment of section 48.293 (4) of the statutes first applies to any proceeding under chapter 48 of the statutes pending or commenced on the effective date of this subsection.
(2) Informal dispositions. The treatment of section 48.245 (2) (b) and (2r) of the statutes first applies to informal dispositions entered into on the effective date of this subsection.
Note: This Section specifies that the provisions of this bill permitting the extension of an informal disposition under certain circumstances apply to cases in which the original informal disposition was entered into on or after the effective date of the bill.