1997 Wisconsin Act 237

237,641 Section 641 . 788.01 of the statutes is amended to read:

788.01 Arbitration clauses in contracts enforceable. A provision in any written contract to settle by arbitration a controversy thereafter arising out of such contract, or out of the refusal to perform the whole or any part thereof, or an agreement in writing between two or more persons to submit to arbitration any controversy existing between them at the time of the agreement to submit, shall be valid, irrevocable and enforceable save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract. This chapter shall not apply to contracts between employers and employes, or between employers and associations of employes, except as provided in s. 111.10, nor to agreements to arbitrate disputes under s. 101.143 (6s) or 230.44 (4) (bm).

237,670g Section 670g. 814.69 (2) of the statutes is repealed.

237,671 Section 671 . 859.07 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

859.07 (2) If the decedent was at the time of death or at any time prior thereto a patient or inmate of any state or county hospital or institution or any person responsible for any obligation owing to the state or county under s. 46.03 (18), 46.10, 48.36, 301.03 (18), 301.12 or 938.36 or if the decedent or the spouse of the decedent ever received medical assistance under subch. IV of ch. 49, long-term community support services funded under s. 46.27 (7) or aid under s. 49.68, 49.683 or 49.685, the personal representative shall send notice in writing of the date set under s. 859.01 by registered or certified mail to the department of health and family services or the department of corrections, as applicable, and the county clerk of the applicable county not less than 30 days before the date set under s. 859.01, upon such blanks and containing such information as the applicable department or county clerk may provide. The applicable county is the county of residence, as defined in s. 49.001 (6).

237,672 Section 672 . 880.33 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

880.33 (2) (a) 3. If the person is an adult who is indigent, the county of legal settlement shall be the county liable for any fees due the guardian ad litem and, if counsel was not appointed under s. 977.08, for any legal fees due the person's legal counsel. If the person is a minor, the person's parents or the county of legal settlement shall be liable for any fees due the guardian ad litem as provided in s. 48.235 (8).

237,673 Section 673 . 880.331 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

880.331 (8) Compensation. On order of the court, the guardian ad litem appointed under this chapter shall be allowed reasonable compensation to be paid by the county of venue, unless the court otherwise directs or unless the guardian ad litem is appointed for a minor, in which case the compensation of the guardian ad litem shall be paid by the minor's parents or the county of venue as provided in s. 48.235 (8). If the court orders a county to pay the compensation of the guardian ad litem, the amount ordered may not exceed the compensation paid to private attorneys under s. 977.08 (4m) (b).

237,677m Section 677m. 893.98 of the statutes is created to read:

893.98 Cessation of health care benefits notification. An action arising under s. 109.075 (3) is subject to the limitations under s. 109.075 (4) (d).

237,678j Section 678j. 895.515 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

895.515 (1) (b) “Institution of higher education" means a center or an institution within the University of Wisconsin System, a technical college or a private, nonprofit institution of higher education located in this state.

237,678m Section 678m. 895.56 of the statutes is created to read:

895.56 Liability exemption; handling of petroleum-contaminated soil under contract with the department of transportation. (1) In this section:

(a) “Person" means an individual, owner, operator, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association, municipality, interstate agency, state agency, as defined in s. 1.12 (1) (b), or federal agency.

(b) “Petroleum-contaminated soil" means soil contaminated with material derived from petroleum, natural gas or asphalt deposits, including gasoline, diesel and heating fuels, liquified petroleum gases, lubricants, waxes, greases and petrochemicals.

(2) A person is immune from liability arising under s. 292.11 and from any liability for the removal or remedying of petroleum-contaminated soil or for damages resulting from the person's actions or omissions relating to petroleum-contaminated soil if all of the following apply:

(a) The acts or omissions by the person occurred while performing a contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2), including acts or omissions by any person who has a direct contractual relationship with the prime contractor, as defined in s. 779.01 (2) (d), under a contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2) to perform labor or furnish materials.

(b) In the course of performing a contract described in par. (a), petroleum-contaminated soil was encountered on the property on which the contracted activity is taking place, and the petroleum-contaminated soil cannot be avoided in performing the contract.

(c) The acts or omissions involving petroleum-contaminated soil on the property were required by reasonably precise specifications in the contract entered into under s. 84.06 (2), and the acts or omissions conformed to those specifications, or were otherwise directed by the department of transportation or by the department of natural resources.

(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to any person to whom any of the following applies:

(a) The person brought petroleum-contaminated soil onto the property or otherwise caused the initial contamination of the property with a hazardous substance, as defined in s. 292.01 (5).

(b) The person's act or omission constitutes gross negligence or involves reckless, wanton or intentional misconduct.

(c) The person fails to warn the department of transportation or the department of natural resources about the presence of petroleum-contaminated soil encountered at the site, if the petroleum-contaminated soil was reasonably known to the person but not to the department of transportation or to the department of natural resources.

(d) The person is under a previous or separate contract with a state agency, as defined in s. 1.12 (1) (b), solely to remove or remedy petroleum-contaminated soil or hazardous substances on the property.

(e) The person causes personal injury or wrongful death.

237,678p Section 678p. 895.65 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

895.65 (1) (b) 2. A person who is, or whose immediate supervisor is, assigned to an executive salary group or university senior executive salary group under s. 20.923.

237,680 Section 680 . 938.21 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.21 (5) (b) An order relating to a juvenile held in custody outside of his or her home shall also describe any efforts that were made to permit the juvenile to remain at home and the services that are needed to ensure the juvenile's well-being, to enable the juvenile to return safely to his or her home and to involve the parents in planning for the juvenile.

237,681 Section 681 . 938.235 (8) of the statutes is renumbered 938.235 (8) (a) and amended to read:

938.235 (8) (a) On order of the court, the A guardian ad litem appointed under this chapter shall be allowed reasonable compensation to be paid by the county of venue. If compensated at a rate that the court determines is reasonable, except that, if the court orders a county to pay the compensation of the guardian ad litem, the amount ordered may not exceed the compensation paid to private attorneys payable to a private attorney under s. 977.08 (4m) (b).

237,682 Section 682 . 938.235 (8) (b), (c), (d) and (e) of the statutes are created to read:

938.235 (8) (b) The court may order either or both of the parents of a juvenile for whom a guardian ad litem is appointed under this chapter to pay all or any part of the compensation of the guardian ad litem. In addition, upon motion by the guardian ad litem, the court may order either or both of the parents of the juvenile to pay the fee for an expert witness used by the guardian ad litem, if the guardian ad litem shows that the use of the expert is necessary to assist the guardian ad litem in performing his or her functions or duties under this chapter. If one or both parents are indigent or if the court determines that it would be unfair to a parent to require him or her to pay, the court may order the county of venue to pay the compensation and fees, in whole or in part. If the court orders the county of venue to pay because a parent is indigent, the court may also order either or both of the parents to reimburse the county, in whole or in part, for the payment.

(c) At any time before the final order in a proceeding in which a guardian ad litem is appointed for a juvenile under this chapter, the court may order a parent of the juvenile to place payments in an escrow account in an amount estimated to be sufficient to pay any compensation and fees payable under par. (b).

(d) If the court orders a parent to reimburse a county under par. (b), the court may order a separate judgment for the amount of the reimbursement in favor of the county and against the parent who is responsible for the reimbursement.

(e) The court may enforce its orders under this subsection by means of its contempt powers.

237,683 Section 683 . 938.27 (3) (a) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

938.27 (3) (a) 1m. The court shall give a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) who is notified of a hearing under subd. 1. an opportunity to be heard at the hearing by permitting the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, relevant to the issues to be determined at the hearing. A foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) who receives a notice of a hearing under subd. 1. and an opportunity to be heard under this subdivision does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and opportunity to be heard.

237,684 Section 684 . 938.27 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended 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.

237,685 Section 685 . 938.27 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.27 (6) When a proceeding is initiated under s. 938.14, all interested parties shall receive notice and appropriate summons shall be issued in a manner specified by the court, consistent with applicable governing statutes. In addition, if the juvenile who is the subject of the proceeding is in the care of a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), the court shall give the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian notice and an opportunity to be heard as provided in sub. (3) (a).

237,686 Section 686 . 938.296 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.296 (6) The court may order the county to pay for the cost of a test or series of tests ordered under sub. (4). This subsection does not prevent recovery of reasonable contribution toward the cost of that test or series of tests from the parent or guardian of the juvenile as the court may order based on the ability of the parent or guardian to pay. This subsection is subject to s. 46.03 301.03 (18).

237,687 Section 687 . 938.30 (6) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and 35, is repealed and recreated to read:

938.30 (6) If a petition is not contested, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 10 days from the plea hearing for a juvenile who is held in secure custody and no more than 30 days from the plea hearing for a juvenile who is not held in secure custody. If it appears to the court that disposition of the case may include placement of the juvenile outside the juvenile's home, the court shall order the juvenile's parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court or the designated agency under s. 938.33 (1) at least 5 days before the scheduled date of the dispositional hearing or as otherwise ordered 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 workforce development under s. 49.22 (9) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 301.12 (14) (c). If all parties consent the court may proceed immediately with the dispositional hearing. If a citation is not contested, the court may proceed immediately to enter a dispositional order.

237,688 Section 688 . 938.31 (7) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and 35, is repealed and recreated to read:

938.31 (7) At the close of the fact-finding hearing, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows a reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 10 days after the fact-finding hearing for a juvenile in secure custody and no more than 30 days after the fact-finding hearing for a juvenile not held in secure custody. If it appears to the court that disposition of the case may include placement of the juvenile outside the juvenile's home, the court shall order the juvenile's parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court or the designated agency under s. 938.33 (1) at least 5 days before the scheduled date of the dispositional hearing or as otherwise ordered 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 workforce development under s. 49.22 (9) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 301.12 (14) (c). If all parties consent, the court may immediately proceed with a dispositional hearing.

237,689 Section 689 . 938.33 (4m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.33 (4m) Support recommendations; information to parents. (intro.) In making a recommendation for an amount of child support under sub. (3) or (4), the agency shall consider the factors that the court considers under s. 46.10 301.12 (14) (c) for deviation from the percentage standard. At or before the dispositional hearing under s. 938.335, the agency shall provide the juvenile's parent with all of the following:

237,690 Section 690 . 938.33 (4m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.33 (4m) (b) A written explanation of how the parent may request that the court modify the amount of child support under s. 46.10 301.12 (14) (c).

237,691 Section 691 . 938.355 (2) (b) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:

938.355 (2) (b) 6. If the juvenile is placed outside the home and if sub. (2d) does not apply, the court's finding as to whether a county department which provides social services or the agency primarily responsible for the provision of providing services under a court order has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the juvenile from the home, while assuring that the juvenile's health and safety are the paramount concerns, or, if applicable, that the court's finding as to whether the agency primarily responsible for the provision of providing services under a court order has made reasonable efforts to make it possible for the juvenile to return safely to his or her home.

237,692 Section 692. 938.355 (2b) of the statutes is created to read:

938.355 (2b) Concurrent reasonable efforts permitted. A county department that provides social services or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to a juvenile under a court order may, at the same time as the county department or agency is making the reasonable efforts required under sub. (2) (b) 6., work with the department of health and family services, a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm) or a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.61 (5) in making reasonable efforts to place the juvenile for adoption, with a guardian or in some other alternative permanent placement.

237,693 Section 693 . 938.355 (2c) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.355 (2c) (a) (intro.) When a court makes a finding under sub. (2) (b) 6. as to whether a county department which provides social services or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile under a court order has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the juvenile from his or her home, while assuring that the juvenile's health and safety are the paramount concerns, the court's consideration of reasonable efforts shall include, but not be limited to, whether:

237,694 Section 694 . 938.355 (2c) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

938.355 (2c) (a) 1. A comprehensive assessment of the family's situation was completed, including a determination of the likelihood of protecting the juvenile's health, safety and welfare effectively in the home.

237,695 Section 695 . 938.355 (2c) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.355 (2c) (b) When a court makes a finding under sub. (2) (b) 6. as to whether the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile under a court order has made reasonable efforts to make it possible for the juvenile to return safely to his or her home, the court's consideration of reasonable efforts shall include, but not be limited to, the considerations listed under par. (a) 1. to 5. and whether visitation schedules between the juvenile and his or her parents were implemented, unless visitation was denied or limited by the court.

237,696 Section 696 . 938.355 (2d) of the statutes is created to read:

938.355 (2d) Reasonable efforts not required. (a) In this subsection:

1. “Aggravated circumstances" include abandonment in violation of s. 948.20 or in violation of the law of any other state or federal law if that violation would be a violation of s. 948.20 if committed in this state, torture, chronic abuse and sexual abuse.

2. “Sexual abuse" means a violation of s. 940.225, 944.30, 948.02, 948.025, 948.05, 948.055, 948.06, 948.09 or 948.10 or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law if that violation would be a violation of s. 940.225, 944.30, 948.02, 948.025, 948.05, 948.055, 948.06, 948.09 or 948.10 if committed in this state.

(b) Notwithstanding sub. (2) (b) 6., the court need not include in a dispositional order a finding as to whether a county department which provides social services or the agency primarily responsible for providing services under a court order has made reasonable efforts with respect to a parent of a juvenile to prevent the removal of the juvenile from the home, while assuring that the juvenile's health and safety are the paramount concerns, or, if applicable, a finding as to whether the agency primarily responsible for providing services under a court order has made reasonable efforts with respect to a parent of a juvenile to make it possible for the juvenile to return safely to his or her home, if the court finds, as evidenced by a final judgment of conviction, any of the following:

1. That the parent has subjected the juvenile to aggravated circumstances.

2. That the parent has committed, has aided or abetted the commission of, or has solicited, conspired or attempted to commit, a violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03 or 940.05 or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03 or 940.05 if committed in this state, and that the victim of that violation is a child of the parent.

3. That the parent has committed a violation of s. 940.19 (2), (3), (4) or (5), 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025 or 948.03 (2) (a) or (3) (a) or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of s. 940.19 (2), (3), (4) or (5), 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025 or 948.03 (2) (a) or (3) (a) if committed in this state, and that the violation resulted in great bodily harm, as defined in s. 938.22 (14), or in substantial bodily harm, as defined in s. 938.22 (38), to the juvenile or another child of the parent.

4. That the parental rights of the parent to another child have been involuntarily terminated.

(c) If the court makes a finding specified in par. (b) 1., 2., 3., or 4., the court shall hold a hearing within 30 days after the date of that finding to determine the permanency plan for the juvenile. If a hearing is held under this paragraph, the agency responsible for preparing the permanency plan shall file the permanency plan with the court not less than 5 days before the date of the hearing.

237,697 Section 697 . 938.357 (2r) of the statutes, as created by 1997 Wisconsin Act 80, is amended to read:

938.357 (2r) If a hearing is held under sub. (1) or (2m) 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 give the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) an opportunity to be heard at the hearing by permitting the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian 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. Any written or oral statement made under this subsection shall be made under oath or affirmation. A foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) who receives notice of a hearing under sub. (1) or (2m) and an opportunity to be heard under this subsection does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and opportunity to be heard.

237,698 Section 698 . 938.357 (5m) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 27 and 35, is amended to read:

938.357 (5m) If a proposed change in placement changes a juvenile's placement from a placement in the juvenile's home to a placement outside the juvenile's home, the court shall order the juvenile's parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court or 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 workforce development under s. 49.22 (9) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 46.10 301.12 (14) (c). If the juvenile is placed outside the juvenile's home, the court shall determine the liability of the parent in the manner provided in s. 46.10 301.12 (14).

237,699 Section 699 . 938.36 (1) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 27, is amended to read:

938.36 (1) (a) If legal custody is transferred from the parent or guardian or the court otherwise designates an alternative placement for the juvenile by a disposition made under s. 938.183, 938.34 or 938.345 or by a change in placement under s. 938.357, the duty of the parent or guardian to provide support shall continue even though the legal custodian or the placement designee may provide the support. A copy of the order transferring custody or designating alternative placement for the juvenile shall be submitted to the agency or person receiving custody or placement and the agency or person may apply to the court for an order to compel the parent or guardian to provide the support. Support payments for residential services, when purchased or otherwise funded or provided by the department of corrections, or a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, shall be determined under s. 46.10 301.12 (14). Support payments for residential services, when purchased or otherwise funded by the department of health and family services, or a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437, shall be determined under s. 46.10 (14).

237,700 Section 700 . 938.36 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.36 (2) If a juvenile whose legal custody has not been taken from a parent or guardian is given educational and social services, or medical, psychological or psychiatric treatment by order of the court, the cost thereof, if ordered by the court, shall be a charge upon the county. This section does not prevent recovery of reasonable contribution toward the costs from the parent or guardian of the juvenile as the court may order based on the ability of the parent or guardian to pay. This subsection is subject to s. 46.03 301.03 (18).

237,701 Section 701 . 938.363 (1m) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Acts 35 and 80, is amended 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 give a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the juvenile an opportunity to be heard at the hearing by permitting the foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian 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. Any written or oral statement made under this subsection shall be made under oath or affirmation. A foster parent, treatment foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) who receives notice of a hearing under sub. (1) and an opportunity to be heard under this subsection does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and opportunity to be heard.

237,702 Section 702 . 938.365 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.365 (1) In this section, “2 or more years" means a period of time that begins with the first placement of the juvenile a juvenile is considered to have been placed outside of his or her home pursuant to an order under this section or s. 938.345, 938.357 or 938.363 and includes any period of time in which the juvenile returned home, unless the periods of time at home account for the majority of the time since the first placement on the date on which the juvenile was first placed outside of his or her home pursuant to an order under this section or s. 938.345, 938.357 or 938.363 or on the date that is 60 days after the date on which the juvenile was removed from his or her home, whichever is earlier.

237,703 Section 703 . 938.365 (2g) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

938.365 (2g) (b) 2. An evaluation of the juvenile's adjustment to the placement and of any progress the juvenile has made, suggestions for amendment of the permanency plan, a description of efforts to return the juvenile safely to his or her home, including efforts of the parents to remedy factors which contributed to the juvenile's placement and, if continued placement outside of the juvenile's home is recommended, an explanation of why returning the juvenile to his or her home is not safe or feasible.

237,704 Section 704 . 938.365 (2g) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read: