SB481: Bill Text

SB481,34,2 48.685 (5) (a) The department may license to operate an entity, a county department may certify under s. 48.651, a county department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency may license under s. 48.62, and a school board may contract with under s. 120.13 (14) a person who otherwise may not be licensed, certified, or contracted with for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 5., and an entity may employ, contract with, or permit to reside at the entity a person who otherwise may not be employed, contracted with, or permitted to reside at the entity for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (b) 1. to 5., if the person demonstrates to the department, the county department, the child welfare agency , the child welfare district, or the school board or, in the case of an entity that is located within the boundaries of a reservation, to the person or body designated by the tribe under sub. (5d) (a) 3., by clear and convincing evidence and in accordance with procedures established by the department by rule or by the tribe that he or she the person has been rehabilitated.

SB481, s. 55 Section 55. 48.685 (5c) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,34,12 48.685 (5c) (b) Any person who is permitted but fails under sub. (5) (a) to demonstrate to the county department that he or she has been rehabilitated may appeal to the director of the county department or his or her designee. Any person who is permitted but fails under sub. (5) (a) to demonstrate to the Milwaukee County child welfare district that he or she has been rehabilitated may appeal to the director of the child welfare district or his or her designee. Any person who is adversely affected by a decision of the director or his or her of the county department, the director of the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a designee under this paragraph has a right to appeal the decision under ch. 68.

SB481, s. 56 Section 56. 48.685 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,35,7 48.685 (5m) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, the department may refuse to license a person to operate an entity, a county department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency may refuse to license a foster home or treatment foster home under s. 48.62, and an entity may refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or permit a nonclient resident to reside at the entity if the person has been convicted of an offense that is not a serious crime, but that is, in the estimation of the department, county department, child welfare agency , child welfare district, or entity, substantially related to the care of a client. Notwithstanding s. 111.335, the department may refuse to license a person to operate a day care center, a county department may refuse to certify a day care provider under s. 48.651, a school board may refuse to contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), a day care center that is licensed under s. 48.65 or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14), and a day care provider that is certified under s. 48.651 may refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or permit a nonclient resident to reside at the day care center or day care provider if the person has been convicted of or adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 12th birthday for an offense that is not a serious crime, but that is, in the estimation of the department, county department, school board, day care center, or day care provider, substantially related to the care of a client.

SB481, s. 57 Section 57. 48.685 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,35,18 48.685 (6) (a) The department shall require any person who applies for issuance, continuation, or renewal of a license to operate an entity, a county department shall require any day care provider who applies for initial certification under s. 48.651 or for renewal of that certification, a county department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency shall require any person who applies for issuance or renewal of a license to operate a foster home or treatment foster home under s. 48.62, and a school board shall require any person who proposes to contract with the school board under s. 120.13 (14) or to renew a contract under that subsection, to complete a background information form that is provided by the department.

SB481, s. 58 Section 58. 48.685 (6) (b) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB481,35,24 48.685 (6) (b) 2m. For caregivers who are licensed by the Milwaukee County child welfare district, for persons who are nonclient residents of an entity that is licensed by that child welfare district, and for other persons specified by the department by rule, the entity shall send the background information form to that child welfare district.

SB481, s. 59 Section 59. 48.685 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,36,7 48.685 (8) The department, a county department, a child welfare agency, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a school board may charge a fee for obtaining the information required under sub. (2) (am) or (3) (a) or for providing information to an entity to enable the entity to comply with sub. (2) (b) 1. or (3) (b). The fee may not exceed the reasonable cost of obtaining the information. No fee may be charged to a nurse's assistant, as defined in s. 146.40 (1) (d), for obtaining or maintaining information if to do so would be inconsistent with federal law.

SB481, s. 60 Section 60. 48.75 (1b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,36,11 48.75 (1b) In this section, "public licensing agency" means a county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or, with the approval of the department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district.

SB481, s. 61 Section 61. 48.78 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,36,16 48.78 (1) In this section, unless otherwise qualified, "agency" means the department, a county department, a licensed child welfare agency, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, a licensed day care center, or a licensed maternity hospital.

SB481, s. 62 Section 62. 48.78 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,36,22 48.78 (2) (c) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit the department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a county department from using in the media a picture or description of a child in the guardianship of the department , the child welfare district, or a county department for the purpose of finding adoptive parents for that child.

SB481, s. 63 Section 63. 48.825 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,37,3 48.825 (3) (a) The department, a county department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.60 to place children for adoption.

SB481, s. 64 Section 64. 48.825 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,37,9 48.825 (3) (d) An individual who has received a favorable recommendation regarding his or her fitness to be an adoptive parent in this state from the department, a county department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.60 or in another jurisdiction from an entity authorized by that jurisdiction to conduct studies of potential adoptive homes.

SB481, s. 65 Section 65. 48.831 (1m) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB481,37,11 48.831 (1m) (bm) The Milwaukee County child welfare district.

SB481, s. 66 Section 66. 48.831 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,37,23 48.831 (2) Report. If the department, county department, Milwaukee County child welfare district, or child welfare agency files a petition, it shall submit a report to the court containing as much of the information specified under s. 48.425 (1) (a) and (am) as is reasonably ascertainable and, if applicable, the information specified under s. 48.425 (1) (g). If the petition is filed by a relative or other person specified under sub. (1m) (d), the court shall order the department or a child welfare agency, if the department or agency consents, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a county department to file a report containing the information specified in this subsection. The department, county department, Milwaukee County child welfare district, or child welfare agency shall file the report at least 5 days before the date of the fact-finding hearing on the petition.

SB481, s. 67 Section 67. 48.831 (4) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

SB481,37,25 48.831 (4) (b) 4. The Milwaukee County child welfare district.

SB481, s. 68 Section 68. 48.831 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,38,11 48.831 (4) (e) The court shall order the custodian appointed under par. (b) or (c) to prepare a permanency plan under s. 48.38 for the child within 60 days after the date of the order. A permanency plan ordered under this paragraph is subject to review under s. 48.38 (5). In preparing a permanency plan, the department, county department, Milwaukee County child welfare district, or child welfare agency need not is not required to include any information specified in s. 48.38 (4) that relates to the child's parents or returning the child to his or her home. In reviewing a permanency plan, a court or panel need not is not required to make any determination under s. 48.38 (5) (c) that relates to the child's parents or returning the child to his or her home.

SB481, s. 69 Section 69. 48.832 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,39,4 48.832 Transfer of guardianship upon revocation of guardian's license or contract. If the department revokes the license of a county department licensed under s. 48.57 (1) (hm) to accept guardianship, or of a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.61 (5) to accept guardianship, or if the department terminates the contract of a county department licensed under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or of the Milwaukee County child welfare district to accept guardianship, the department shall file a motion in the court that appointed the guardian for each child in the guardianship of the county department, child welfare district, or agency, requesting that the court transfer guardianship and custody of the child. The motion may specify a county department, child welfare district, or child welfare agency that has consented to accept guardianship of the child. The court shall transfer guardianship and custody of the child either to the county department, child welfare district, or child welfare agency specified in the motion or to another county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), child welfare district, or a child welfare agency under s. 48.61 (5) which that consents to the transfer. If no county department, child welfare district, or child welfare agency consents, the court shall transfer guardianship and custody of the child to the department.

SB481, s. 70 Section 70. 48.833 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,39,24 48.833 Placement of children for adoption by the department, county departments, child welfare districts, and child welfare agencies. The department, a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), the Milwaukee County child welfare district, 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), child welfare district, or the child welfare agency is the guardian of the child or makes the placement at the request of another agency which that is the guardian of the child. Before placing a child for adoption under this section, the department, county department, child welfare district, 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, child welfare district, 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, child welfare district, 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.

SB481, s. 71 Section 71. 48.837 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,40,8 48.837 (4) (c) Shall order the department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm) to investigate the proposed adoptive placement, to interview each petitioner, to provide counseling if requested, and to report its recommendation to the court at least 5 days before the hearing on the petition. If a licensed child welfare agency has investigated the proposed adoptive placement and interviewed the petitioners, the court may accept a report and recommendation from the child welfare agency in place of the court-ordered report required under this paragraph.

SB481, s. 72 Section 72. 48.837 (4) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,40,15 48.837 (4) (d) May, at the request of a petitioning parent, or on its own motion after ordering the child taken into custody under s. 48.19 (1) (c), order the department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm) to place the child, pending the hearing on the petition, in any home licensed under s. 48.62 except the home of the proposed adoptive parents or a relative of the proposed adoptive parents.

SB481, s. 73 Section 73. 48.837 (6) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,40,23 48.837 (6) (d) If the proposed placement is approved, the court shall proceed immediately to a hearing on the petition required under sub. (3). If the parental rights of the parent are terminated, the court shall order the child placed with the proposed adoptive parent or parents and appoint as guardian of the child the department, a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency licensed to accept guardianship under s. 48.61 (5).

SB481, s. 74 Section 74. 48.839 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,41,7 48.839 (1) (d) If custody of the child is transferred under sub. (4) (b) to a county department, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency before the child is adopted, the department shall periodically bill the guardian and the surety under s. 46.03 (18) (b) or 46.10 for the cost of care and maintenance of the child until the child is adopted or becomes age 18, whichever is earlier. The guardian and surety shall also be liable under the bond for costs incurred by the department in enforcing the bond against the guardian and surety.

SB481, s. 75 Section 75. 48.839 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,41,12 48.839 (4) (a) Shall transfer guardianship of the child to the department, to a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), to the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or to a child welfare agency under s. 48.61 (5) and order the guardian to file a petition for termination of parental rights under s. 48.42 within 10 days.

SB481, s. 76 Section 76. 48.839 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,41,16 48.839 (4) (b) Shall transfer legal custody of the child to the department or the Milwaukee County child welfare district, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, to a county department, or to a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.60.

SB481, s. 77 Section 77. 48.88 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,41,21 48.88 (2) (a) 2. If no agency has guardianship of the child and a relative other than a stepparent has filed the petition for adoption, the department, a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a licensed child welfare agency.

SB481, s. 78 Section 78. 48.88 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,42,14 48.88 (2) (c) If a stepparent has filed a petition for adoption and no agency has guardianship of the child, the court shall order the department or the Milwaukee County child welfare district, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, or a county department or, with the consent of the department in a county having a population of less than 500,000 or a licensed child welfare agency, order the department or the child welfare agency to conduct a screening, consisting of no more than one interview with the petitioner and a check of the petitioner's background through public records, including records maintained by the department or any county department under s. 48.981. The department, county department , child welfare district, or child welfare agency that conducts the screening shall file a report of the screening with the court within 30 days. After reviewing the report, the court may proceed to act on the petition, may order the department or the Milwaukee County child welfare district, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, or the county department to conduct an investigation as described under par. (a) (intro.), or may order the department in a county having a population of less than 500,000 or a licensed child welfare agency to make the investigation if the department or child welfare agency consents.

SB481, s. 79 Section 79. 48.89 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,42,19 48.89 (1) The recommendation of the department is required for the adoption of a child if the child is not under the guardianship of a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a child welfare agency under s. 48.61 (5).

SB481, s. 80 Section 80. 48.89 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,43,2 48.89 (3) The recommendation of the department shall not be required if the recommendation of the department, a licensed child welfare agency, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm) is required by s. 48.841, if a report of an investigation by the department, a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a licensed child welfare agency is required by s. 48.88 (2) (a) 2., or if one of the petitioners is a relative of the child.

SB481, s. 81 Section 81. 48.95 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,43,10 48.95 Withdrawal or denial of petition. Except as provided under s. 48.839 (3) (b), if the petition is withdrawn or denied, the circuit court shall order the case transferred to the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 938 for appropriate action, except that if parental rights have been terminated and the guardian of the minor is the department, a licensed child welfare agency, the Milwaukee County child welfare district, or a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), the minor shall remain in the legal custody of the guardian.

SB481, s. 82 Section 82. 48.977 (4) (a) 7m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB481,43,12 48.977 (4) (a) 7m. The Milwaukee County child welfare district.

SB481, s. 83 Section 83. 48.981 (1) (ag) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,43,20 48.981 (1) (ag) "Agency" means a county department, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 or more or, a licensed child welfare agency under contract with a county department or the department in a county having a population of 500,000 or more to perform investigations under this section, or, if contracted by the department to perform investigations under this section in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, a licensed child welfare agency or the Milwaukee County child welfare district.

SB481, s. 84 Section 84. 48.981 (3) (a) of the statutes, as affected by 2001 Wisconsin Act 16, is amended to read:

SB481,44,4 48.981 (3) (a) Referral of report. 1. A person required to report under sub. (2) shall immediately inform, by telephone or personally, the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department or the sheriff or city, village, or town police department of the facts and circumstances contributing to a suspicion of child abuse or neglect or of unborn child abuse or to a belief that abuse or neglect will occur.

SB481,44,10 2. The sheriff or police department shall within 12 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, refer to the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department all cases reported to it. The county department, department, or licensed child welfare agency may require that a subsequent report be made in writing.

SB481,44,18 3. A county department, the department, or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department shall within 12 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, or legal holidays, refer to the sheriff or police department all cases of suspected or threatened abuse, as defined in s. 48.02 (1) (b) to (f), reported to it. For cases of suspected or threatened abuse, as defined in s. 48.02 (1) (a), (am), or (gm), or neglect, each county department, the department, and a licensed child welfare an agency under contract with the department shall adopt a written policy specifying the kinds of reports it will routinely report to local law enforcement authorities.

SB481,44,22 4. If the report is of suspected or threatened abuse, as defined in s. 48.02 (1) (b) to (f), the sheriff or police department and the county department, department, or licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department shall coordinate the planning and execution of the investigation of the report.

SB481, s. 85 Section 85. 48.981 (3) (c) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,45,5 48.981 (3) (c) 2. a. If the person making the investigation is an employee of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department and he or she determines that it is consistent with the child's best interest in terms of physical safety and physical health to remove the child from his or her home for immediate protection, he or she shall take the child into custody under s. 48.08 (2) or 48.19 (1) (c) and deliver the child to the intake worker under s. 48.20.

SB481, s. 86 Section 86. 48.981 (3) (c) 2m. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,45,14 48.981 (3) (c) 2m. a. If the person making the investigation is an employee of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department and he or she determines that it is consistent with the best interest of the unborn child in terms of physical safety and physical health to take the expectant mother into custody for the immediate protection of the unborn child, he or she shall take the expectant mother into custody under s. 48.08 (2), 48.19 (1) (cm), or 48.193 (1) (c) and deliver the expectant mother to the intake worker under s. 48.20 or 48.203.

SB481, s. 87 Section 87. 48.981 (3) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,46,3 48.981 (3) (c) 3. If the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department determines that a child, any member of the child's family, or the child's guardian or legal custodian is in need of services or that the expectant mother of an unborn child is in need of services, the county department, or department or licensed child welfare agency shall offer to provide appropriate services or to make arrangements for the provision of services. If the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian or the expectant mother refuses to accept the services, the county department, or department or licensed child welfare agency may request that a petition be filed under s. 48.13 alleging that the child who is the subject of the report or any other child in the home is in need of protection or services or that a petition be filed under s. 48.133 alleging that the unborn child who is the subject of the report is in need of protection or services.

SB481, s. 88 Section 88. 48.981 (3) (c) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,46,17 48.981 (3) (c) 4. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department shall determine, within 60 days after receipt of a report, whether abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur. The determination shall be based on a preponderance of the evidence produced by the investigation. A determination that abuse or neglect has occurred may not be based solely on the fact that the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian in good faith selects and relies on prayer or other religious means for treatment of disease or for remedial care of the child. In making a determination that emotional damage has occurred, the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department shall give due regard to the culture of the subjects. This subdivision does not prohibit a court from ordering medical services for the child if the child's health requires it.

SB481, s. 89 Section 89. 48.981 (3) (c) 5m. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,47,8 48.981 (3) (c) 5m. If the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department determines under subd. 4. that a specific person has abused or neglected a child, the county department, or department or licensed child welfare agency, within 15 days after the date of the determination, shall notify the person in writing of the determination, the person's right to appeal the determination, and the procedure by which the person may appeal the determination, and the person may appeal the determination in accordance with the procedures established by the department under this subdivision. The department shall promulgate rules establishing procedures for conducting an appeal under this subdivision. Those procedures shall include a procedure permitting an appeal under this subdivision to be held in abeyance pending the outcome of any criminal proceedings or any proceedings under s. 48.13 based on the alleged abuse or neglect or the outcome of any investigation that may lead to the filing of a criminal complaint or a petition under s. 48.13 based on the alleged abuse or neglect.

SB481, s. 90 Section 90. 48.981 (3) (c) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,47,22 48.981 (3) (c) 7. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department shall cooperate with law enforcement officials, courts of competent jurisdiction, tribal governments, and other human services agencies to prevent, identify, and treat child abuse and neglect and unborn child abuse. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department shall coordinate the development and provision of services to abused and neglected children, to abused unborn children to families in which child abuse or neglect has occurred, to expectant mothers who have abused their unborn children, to children and families when circumstances justify a belief that abuse or neglect will occur, and to the expectant mothers of unborn children when circumstances justify a belief that unborn child abuse will occur.

SB481, s. 91 Section 91. 48.981 (3) (c) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,48,12 48.981 (3) (c) 8. Using the format prescribed by the department, each county department shall provide the department with information about each report that the county department receives or that is received by a licensed child welfare agency that is under contract with the county department and about each investigation that the county department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the county department conducts. Using the format prescribed by the department, a licensed child welfare an agency under contract with the department shall provide the department with information about each report that the child welfare agency receives and about each investigation that the child welfare agency conducts. This information shall be used by the department to monitor services provided by county departments or licensed child welfare agencies under contract with county departments or the department. The department shall use nonidentifying information to maintain statewide statistics on child abuse and neglect and on unborn child abuse, and for planning and policy development purposes.

SB481, s. 92 Section 92. 48.981 (3) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,48,23 48.981 (3) (cm) Contract with licensed child welfare agencies. Contract with agencies. A county department may contract with a licensed child welfare agency to fulfill the county department's duties specified under par. (c) 1., 2. b., 2m. b., 5., 6., 6m., and 8. The department may contract with a licensed child welfare agency or with the Milwaukee County child welfare district to fulfill the department's duties specified under par. (c) 1., 2. a., 2m. b., 3., 4., 5., 5m., 6., 6m., 7., 8., and 9. in a county having a population of 500,000 or more. The confidentiality provisions specified in sub. (7) shall apply to any licensed child welfare agency with which a county department or the department contracts and to the Milwaukee County child welfare district, if the department contracts with the district.

SB481, s. 93 Section 93. 48.981 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,49,7 48.981 (3) (d) Independent investigation. 1. In this paragraph, "agent" includes, but is not limited to, a foster parent, treatment foster parent, or other person given custody of a child or a human services professional employed by a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 or by a child welfare an agency who is working with a child or an expectant mother of an unborn child under contract with or under the supervision of the department in a county having a population of 500,000 or more or a county department under s. 46.22.

SB481,49,22 2. If an agent or employee of an agency required to investigate under this subsection is the subject of a report, or if the agency determines that, because of the relationship between the agency and the subject of a report, there is a substantial probability that the agency would not conduct an unbiased investigation, the agency shall, after taking any action necessary to protect the child or unborn child, notify the department. Upon receipt of the notice, the department, in a county having a population of less than 500,000, or a county department or child welfare an agency designated by the department in any county shall conduct an independent investigation. If the department designates a county department under s. 46.22, 46.23, 51.42, or 51.437, that county department shall conduct the independent investigation. If a licensed child welfare agency or the Milwaukee County child welfare district agrees to conduct the independent investigation, the department may designate the child welfare agency or district to do so. The powers and duties of the department or designated county department or child welfare agency making an independent investigation are those given to county departments under par. (c).

SB481, s. 94 Section 94. 48.981 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,50,7 48.981 (5) Coroner's report. Any person or official required to report cases of suspected child abuse or neglect who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child died as a result of child abuse or neglect shall report the fact to the appropriate medical examiner or coroner. The medical examiner or coroner shall accept the report for investigation and shall report the findings to the appropriate district attorney; to the county department; or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, to a licensed child welfare the department or an agency under contract with the department; to the county department and, if the institution making the report initially is a hospital, to the hospital.

SB481, s. 95 Section 95. 48.981 (7) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,50,13 48.981 (7) (a) 5. A professional employee of a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 who is working with the child or the expectant mother of the unborn child under contract with or under the supervision of the county department under s. 46.22 or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department.

SB481, s. 96 Section 96. 48.981 (7) (a) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB481,50,18 48.981 (7) (a) 6. A multidisciplinary child abuse and neglect or unborn child abuse team recognized by the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department.