SB572: Bill Text

SB572, s. 125 Section 125. 48.422 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,74,6 48.422 (1) The Except as provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), the hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights shall be held within 30 days after the petition is filed. At the hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights the court shall determine whether any party wishes to contest the petition and inform the parties of their rights under sub. (4) and s. 48.423.

SB572, s. 126 Section 126. 48.422 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,74,11 48.422 (2) If Except as provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), if the petition is contested the court shall set a date for a fact-finding hearing to be held within 45 days of after the hearing on the petition, unless all of the necessary parties agree to commence with the hearing on the merits immediately.

SB572, s. 127 Section 127. 48.422 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,74,21 48.422 (6) (a) In the case of a nonmarital child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under s. 767.803 and for whom paternity has not been established, or for whom a declaration of paternal interest has not been filed under s. 48.025 within 14 days after the date of birth of the child or, if s. 48.42 (1g) (b) applies, within 21 days after the date on which the notice under s. 48.42 (1g) (b) is mailed, the court shall hear testimony concerning the paternity of the child. Based on the testimony, the court shall determine whether all interested parties who are known have been notified under s. 48.42 (2) and (2g) (ag). If not, the court shall adjourn the hearing and order appropriate notice to be given.

SB572, s. 128 Section 128. 48.422 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,75,2 48.422 (8) If the petition for termination of parental rights is filed by an agency enumerated in s. 48.069 (1) or (2), the court shall order the agency to submit file a report to with the court as provided in s. 48.425 (1), except that, if the child is an Indian child, the court may order the agency or request the tribal child welfare department of the Indian child's tribe to file that report.

SB572, s. 129 Section 129. 48.423 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,75,22 48.423 (1) Rights to paternity determination. If a person appears at the hearing and claims that he is the father of the child, the court shall set a date for a hearing on the issue of paternity or, if. If the child is an Indian child or if it appears to the court that the determination of paternity may result in a finding that the child is an Indian child, the court shall cause notice of the hearing on the issue of paternity to be provided to the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe under s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), and the hearing may not be held until at least 10 days after receipt of notice under s. 48.42 (2g) (ag) by the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe or until at least 25 days after receipt of the notice by the U.S. secretary of the interior. On request of the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe, the court shall grant a continuance of up to 20 additional days to enable the requester to prepare for the hearing. If all parties agree, the court may immediately commence hearing testimony concerning the issue of paternity. The court shall inform the person claiming to be the father of the child of any right to counsel under s. 48.23. The person claiming to be the father of the child must prove paternity by clear and convincing evidence. A person who establishes his paternity of the child under this section may further participate in the termination of parental rights proceeding only if the person meets the conditions specified in sub. (2) or meets a condition specified in s. 48.42 (2) or (b) or (bm).

SB572, s. 130 Section 130. 48.424 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 48.424 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:

SB572,76,4 48.424 (1) The purpose of the fact-finding hearing is to determine whether grounds exist for the termination of parental rights in those cases where the termination in cases in which the petition was contested at the hearing on the petition under s. 48.422 all of the following:

SB572,76,5 (a) Whether grounds exist for the termination of parental rights.

SB572, s. 131 Section 131. 48.424 (1) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

SB572,76,8 48.424 (1) (b) Whether the allegations specified in s. 48.42 (1) (e) have been proved in cases in which services have been ordered by the court.

SB572, s. 132 Section 132. 48.424 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB572,76,11 48.424 (1) (c) Whether the allegations specified in s. 48.42 (1) (f) have been proved in cases in which the child is an Indian child.

SB572, s. 133 Section 133. 48.424 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,76,14 48.424 (2) (intro.) The fact-finding hearing shall be conducted according to the procedure specified in s. 48.31 except that as follows:

SB572, s. 134 Section 134. 48.424 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,76,16 48.424 (2) (a) The court may exclude the child from the hearing; and.

SB572, s. 135 Section 135. 48.424 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,76,23 48.424 (3) If the facts are determined by a jury, the jury may only decide whether any grounds for the termination of parental rights have been proven proved, whether the allegations specified in s. 48.42 (1) (e) have been proved in cases in which services have been ordered by the court, and whether the allegations specified in s. 48.42 (1) (f) have been proved in cases in which the child is an Indian child. The court shall decide what disposition is in the best interest of the child.

SB572, s. 136 Section 136. 48.424 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,77,7 48.424 (4) (intro.) If grounds for the termination of parental rights are found by the court or jury, the court shall find the parent unfit. A finding of unfitness shall not preclude a dismissal of a petition under s. 48.427 (2). The court shall then proceed immediately to hear evidence and motions related to the dispositions enumerated in s. 48.427. The Except as provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), the court may delay making the disposition and set a date for a dispositional hearing no later than 45 days after the fact-finding hearing if any of the following apply:

SB572, s. 137 Section 137. 48.424 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,77,9 48.424 (4) (a) All parties to the proceeding agree ; or.

SB572, s. 138 Section 138. 48.424 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,77,17 48.424 (4) (b) The court has not yet received a report to the court on the history of the child as provided in s. 48.425 from an agency enumerated in s. 48.069 (1) or (2) and the court now directs the agency to prepare this report to be considered orders an agency enumerated in s. 48.069 (1) or (2) to file that report with the court, or, in the case of an Indian child, now orders that agency or requests the tribal child welfare department of the Indian child's tribe to file such a report, before the court makes the disposition on the petition.

SB572, s. 139 Section 139. 48.424 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,77,24 48.424 (5) If the court delays making a permanent disposition under sub. (4), it may transfer temporary custody of the child to an agency for placement of the child until the dispositional hearing. Placement of an Indian child under this subsection shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the agency finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

SB572, s. 140 Section 140. 48.425 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,78,6 48.425 (1) (intro.) If the petition for the termination of parental rights is filed by an agency, or if the court orders an agency enumerated under s. 48.069 (1) or (2) to file a report under s. 48.422 (8) or 48.424 (4) (b) or requests the tribal child welfare department of an Indian child's tribe to file such a report, the agency or tribal child welfare department, if that department consents, shall file a report with the court which shall include:

SB572, s. 141 Section 141. 48.425 (1) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB572,78,15 48.425 (1) (cm) If the child is an Indian child, specific information showing that continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child under s. 48.028 (4) (e) 1. and, if the Indian child has previously been adjudged to be in need of protection or services, specific information showing that the agency or person responsible for providing services to the Indian child and his or her family has made active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (e) 2. to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful.

SB572, s. 142 Section 142. 48.427 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

SB572,78,22 48.427 (5) (cm) In placing an Indian child in a preadoptive placement following a transfer of guardianship and custody under sub. (3m) or (3p) or in placing an Indian child in sustaining care under sub. (4), the court or an agency specified in sub. (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am) shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court or agency finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

SB572, s. 143 Section 143. 48.427 (6) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:

SB572,78,25 48.427 (6) (b) 4. If the child is or may be an Indian child, information relating to the child's membership or eligibility for membership in an Indian tribe.

SB572, s. 144 Section 144. 48.428 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,79,14 48.428 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), when a court places a child in sustaining care after an order under s. 48.427 (4), the court shall transfer legal custody of the child to the county department, the department, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, or a licensed child welfare agency, transfer guardianship of the child to an agency listed in s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am), and place the child in the home of a licensed foster parent, licensed treatment foster parent, or kinship care relative with whom the child has resided for 6 months or longer. In placing an Indian child in sustaining care, the court shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. Pursuant to such a placement, this that licensed foster parent, licensed treatment foster parent, or kinship care relative shall be a sustaining parent with the powers and duties specified in sub. (3).

SB572, s. 145 Section 145. 48.428 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,80,5 48.428 (2) (b) When a court places a child in sustaining care after an order under s. 48.427 (4) with a person who has been appointed as the guardian of the child under s. 48.977 (2), the court may transfer legal custody of the child to the county department, the department, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, or a licensed child welfare agency, transfer guardianship of the child to an agency listed in s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am), and place the child in the home of a licensed foster parent, licensed treatment foster parent, or kinship care relative with whom the child has resided for 6 months or longer. In placing an Indian child in sustaining care, the court shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. Pursuant to such a placement, that licensed foster parent, licensed treatment foster parent, or kinship care relative shall be a sustaining parent with the powers and duties specified in sub. (3). If the court transfers guardianship of the child to an agency listed in s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am), the court shall terminate the guardianship under s. 48.977.

SB572, s. 146 Section 146. 48.43 (5) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:

SB572,80,13 48.43 (5) (bm) If the child is an Indian child, the court shall also provide notice of the hearing under par. (b) to the Indian child's tribe in the manner specified in s. 48.028 (4) (a). No hearing may be held under par. (b) until at least 10 days after receipt of notice of the hearing by the Indian child's tribe or until at least 25 days after receipt of notice of the hearing by the U.S. secretary of the interior. On request of the Indian child's tribe, the court shall grant a continuance of up to 20 additional days to enable the tribe to prepare for the hearing.

SB572, s. 147 Section 147. 48.43 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,81,2 48.43 (5) (c) Following the hearing, the court shall make all of the determinations specified under s. 48.38 (5) (c), except the determinations relating to the child's parents. The court may amend the order under sub. (1) to transfer the child's guardianship and custody to any agency specified under s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am) that consents to the transfer, if the court determines that the transfer is in the child's best interest. If an Indian child's guardianship and custody are transferred under this paragraph, the agency consenting to the transfer shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c) in placing the child, unless the agency finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. If an order is amended, the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall revise the plan to conform to the order and shall file a copy of the revised plan with the court. Each plan filed under this paragraph shall be made a part of the court order.

SB572, s. 148 Section 148. 48.43 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,81,8 48.43 (5m) Either the court or the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall furnish a copy of the original plan and each revised plan to the child, if he or she is 12 years of age or over, and to the child's foster parent, the child's treatment foster parent, or the operator of the facility in which the child is living, and, if the child is an Indian child, to the Indian child's tribe.

SB572, s. 149 Section 149. 48.43 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,81,17 48.43 (6) (a) Judgments under this subchapter terminating parental rights are final and are appealable under s. 808.03 (1) according to the procedure specified in s. 809.107 and are subject to a petition for rehearing or a motion for relief only as provided in s. 48.46 (1m) and (2) and, in the case of an Indian child, s. 48.028 (5) (c) and (6). The attorney representing a person during a proceeding under this subchapter shall continue representation of that person by filing a notice of intent to appeal under s. 809.107 (2), unless the attorney has been previously discharged during the proceeding by the person or by the trial court.

SB572, s. 150 Section 150. 48.43 (6) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,81,23 48.43 (6) (c) In Except as provided in s. 48.028 (5) (c) and (6), in no event may any person, for any reason, collaterally attack a judgment terminating parental rights more than one year after the date on which the time limit for filing an appeal from the judgment has expired, or more than one year after the date on which all appeals from the judgment, if any were filed, have been decided, whichever is later.

SB572, s. 151 Section 151. 48.46 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,82,12 48.46 (2) A parent who has consented to the termination of his or her parental rights under s. 48.41 or who did not contest the petition initiating the proceeding in which his or her parental rights were terminated may move the court for relief from the judgment on any of the grounds specified in s. 806.07 (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) or (f). Any such motion shall be filed within 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order terminating parental rights, unless the parent files a timely notice of intent to pursue relief from the judgment under s. 808.04 (7m), in which case the motion shall be filed within the time permitted by s. 809.107 (5). A motion under this subsection does not affect the finality or suspend the operation of the judgment or order terminating parental rights. Motions under this subsection or s. 48.028 (5) (c) or (6) and appeals to the court of appeals shall be the exclusive remedies for such a parent to obtain a new hearing in a termination of parental rights proceeding.

SB572, s. 152 Section 152. 48.48 (3m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,82,16 48.48 (3m) (intro.) To accept appointment by an American Indian a tribal court in this state as guardian of a child for the purpose of making an adoptive placement for the child if all of the following conditions exist:

SB572, s. 153 Section 153. 48.48 (8m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,82,20 48.48 (8m) To enter into agreements with American Indian tribes in this state to implement the Indian child welfare act federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1911 to 1963.

SB572, s. 154 Section 154. 48.485 of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,83,6 48.485 Transfer of tribal Indian children to department for adoption. If the department accepts guardianship or legal custody or both from an American Indian a tribal court under s. 48.48 (3m), the department shall seek a permanent adoptive placement for the child. If a permanent adoptive placement is not in progress within 2 years after entry of the termination of parental rights order by the tribal court, the department may petition the tribal court to transfer legal custody or guardianship of the Indian child back to the Indian tribe, except that the department may not petition the tribal court to transfer back to a an Indian tribe legal custody or guardianship of a an Indian child who was initially taken into custody under s. 48.195 (1).

SB572, s. 155 Section 155. 48.487 (2) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,83,17 48.487 (2) Adolescent self-sufficiency services. From the allocation under sub. (1m), the department may provide a grant annually in the amount of $85,000 to the elected governing body of a federally recognized American an Indian tribe or band to provide services for adolescent parents which shall emphasize high school graduation and vocational preparation, training, and experience and may be structured so as to strengthen the adolescent parent's capacity to fulfill parental responsibilities by developing social skills and increasing parenting skills. The Indian tribe or band seeking to receive a grant to provide these services shall develop a proposed service plan that is approved by the department.

SB572, s. 156 Section 156. 48.487 (3) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,84,2 48.487 (3) (b) From the allocation under sub. (1m), the department may provide a grant annually in the amount of $65,000 to the elected governing body of a federally recognized American an Indian tribe or band to provide to high-risk adolescents pregnancy and parenthood prevention services which shall be structured so as to increase development of decision-making and communications skills, promote graduation from high school, and expand career and other options and which may address needs of adolescents with respect to pregnancy prevention.

SB572, s. 157 Section 157. 48.487 (4m) (b) (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,84,11 48.487 (4m) (b) (intro.) From the allocation under sub. (1m), the department may provide a grant annually in the amount of $60,000 to the elected governing body of a federally recognized American an Indian tribe or band for the provision of information to members of the Indian tribe or band in order to increase community knowledge about problems of adolescents and information to and activities for adolescents, particularly female adolescents, in order to enable the adolescents to develop skills with respect to all of the following:

SB572, s. 158 Section 158. 48.487 (4m) (c) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,84,17 48.487 (4m) (c) Each funded tribal project under par. (b) shall provide services in areas of the state as approved by the Indian tribe or band and the department. The department shall determine the boundaries of the regional areas prior to soliciting project grant applications.

SB572, s. 159 Section 159. 48.487 (4m) (d) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,84,23 48.487 (4m) (d) Prior to making grants to applying Indian tribes or bands under par. (b), the department shall consider whether and how the applying Indian tribe or band proposes to coordinate its services with other public or private resources, programs, or activities in the region and the state.

SB572, s. 160 Section 160. 48.563 (3) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,85,6 48.563 (3) Tribal child care. For child care services under 42 USC 9858, the department shall distribute not more than $412,800 in each fiscal year from the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (1) (b) to federally recognized American Indian tribes or bands. A tribe or band. An Indian tribe that receives funding under this subsection shall use that funding to provide child care for an eligible child, as defined in 42 USC 9858n (4).

SB572, s. 161 Section 161. 48.565 (intro.) of the statutes, as created by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,85,15 48.565 Carry-over of children and family aids funds. (intro.) Funds allocated by the department under s. 48.569 (1) (d) but not spent or encumbered by counties, governing bodies of federally recognized American Indian tribes, or private nonprofit organizations by December 31 of each year and funds recovered under s. 48.569 (2) (b) and deposited into the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (1) (b) lapse to the general fund on the succeeding January 1 unless carried forward to the next calendar year under s. 20.437 (1) (b) or as follows:

SB572, s. 162 Section 162. 48.57 (3p) (h) 2. of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,85,25 48.57 (3p) (h) 2. The request for review shall be filed with the director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, with the person designated by the secretary to receive requests for review filed under this subdivision. If the governing body of a federally recognized American an Indian tribe or band has entered into an agreement under sub. (3t) to administer the program under this subsection and sub. (3m), the request for review shall be filed with the person designated by that governing body to receive requests for review filed under this subdivision.

SB572, s. 163 Section 163. 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,86,13 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) The director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of a federally recognized American an Indian tribe or band or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary shall review the denial of payments or the prohibition on employment or being an adult resident to determine if the conviction record on which the denial or prohibition is based includes any arrests, convictions, or penalties that are likely to adversely affect the child or the ability of the kinship care relative to care for the child. In reviewing the denial or prohibition, the director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of the federally recognized American Indian tribe or band or the person designated by the secretary shall consider all of the following factors:

SB572, s. 164 Section 164. 48.57 (3p) (h) 4. of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,87,3 48.57 (3p) (h) 4. If the director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of the federally recognized American Indian tribe or band or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary determines that the conviction record on which the denial of payments or the prohibition on employment or being an adult resident is based does not include any arrests, convictions, or penalties that are likely to adversely affect the child or the ability of the kinship care relative to care for the child, the director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of the federally recognized American Indian tribe or band, or the person designated by the secretary may approve the making of payments under sub. (3m) or may permit a person receiving payments under sub. (3m) to employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom payments are being made or permit a person to be an adult resident.

SB572, s. 165 Section 165. 48.57 (3t) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,87,15 48.57 (3t) Notwithstanding subs. (3m), (3n), and (3p), the department may enter into an agreement with the governing body of a federally recognized American an Indian tribe or band to allow that governing body to administer the program under subs. (3m), (3n), and (3p) within the boundaries of that the reservation of the Indian tribe. Any agreement under this subsection relating to the administration of the program under sub. (3m) shall specify the person with whom a request for review under sub. (3p) (h) 2. may be filed and the person who has been designated by the governing body to conduct the review under sub. (3p) (h) 3. and make the determination under sub. (3p) (h) 4. Any agreement under this subsection relating to the administration of the program under sub. (3n) shall specify who is to make any determination as to whether a conviction record is satisfactory.

SB572, s. 166 Section 166. 48.63 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 2007 Wisconsin Act 20, is amended to read:

SB572,88,19 48.63 (1) Acting under court order or voluntary agreement, the child's parent or, guardian, or Indian custodian, or the department, the department of corrections, a county department, or a child welfare agency licensed to place children in foster homes, treatment foster homes, or group homes may place a child or negotiate or act as intermediary for the placement of a child in a foster home, treatment foster home, or group home. Voluntary agreements under this subsection may not be used for placements in facilities other than foster, treatment foster, or group homes and may not be extended. A foster home or treatment foster home placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 180 days from the date on which the child was removed from the home under the voluntary agreement. A group home placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 15 days from the date on which the child was removed from the home under the voluntary agreement, except as provided in sub. (5). These time limitations do not apply to placements made under s. 48.345, 938.183, 938.34, or 938.345. Voluntary agreements may be made only under this subsection and sub. (5) (b) and shall be in writing and shall specifically state that the agreement may be terminated at any time by the parent or , guardian, or Indian custodian or by the child if the child's consent to the agreement is required. In the case of an Indian child who is placed under this subsection by the voluntary agreement of the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, the voluntary consent of the parent or Indian custodian to the placement shall be given as provided in s. 48.028 (5) (a). The child's consent to the agreement is required whenever the child is 12 years of age or older. If a county department, the department, or the department of corrections places a child or negotiates or acts as intermediary for the placement of a child under this subsection, the voluntary agreement shall also specifically state that the county department, department, or department of corrections has placement and care responsibility for the child as required under 42 USC 672 (a) (2) and has primary responsibility for providing services to the child.

SB572, s. 167 Section 167. 48.63 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,89,7 48.63 (4) A permanency plan under s. 48.38 is required for each child placed in a foster home or treatment foster home under sub. (1). If the child is living in a foster home or treatment foster home under a voluntary agreement, the agency that negotiated or acted as intermediary for the placement shall prepare the permanency plan within 60 days after the date on which the child was removed from his or her home under the voluntary agreement. A copy of each plan shall be provided to the child if he or she is 12 years of age or over and, to the child's parent or guardian, and, if the child is an Indian child, to the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe. If the agency that arranged the voluntary placement intends to seek a court order to place the child outside of his or her home at the expiration of the voluntary placement, the agency shall prepare a revised permanency plan and file that revised plan with the court prior to the date of the hearing on the proposed placement.

SB572, s. 168 Section 168. 48.63 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB572,90,2 48.63 (5) (b) If a child who is at least 14 years of age, who is a custodial parent, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (b), or an expectant mother, and who is in need of a safe and structured living arrangement and the parent or, guardian, or Indian custodian of the child consent, a child welfare agency licensed to place children in group homes may place the child or arrange the placement of the child in a group home described in s. 48.625 (1m). Before placing a child or arranging the placement of a child under this paragraph, the child welfare agency shall report any suspected abuse or neglect of the child as required under s. 48.981 (2). A voluntary agreement to place a child in a group home described in s. 48.625 (1m) may be made only under this paragraph, shall be in writing, and shall specifically state that the agreement may be terminated at any time by the parent, guardian, Indian custodian, or child. In the case of an Indian child who is placed in a group home under this paragraph by the voluntary agreement of the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, the voluntary consent of the parent or Indian custodian to the placement shall be given as provided in s. 48.028 (5) (a). An initial placement under this paragraph may not exceed 180 days from the date on which the child was removed from the home under the voluntary agreement, but may be extended as provided in par. (d) 3. to 6. An initial placement under this paragraph of a child who is under 16 years of age on the date of the initial placement may be extended as provided in par. (d) 3. to 6. no more than once.