SB18,31,922 48.981 (3m) (c) 2. b. If the agency or county department employs the
23assessment response under subd. 2. a., the agency or county department is not

1required to refer the report to the sheriff or police department under sub. (3) (a) 3.
2(cg) or determine by a preponderance of the evidence under sub. (3) (c) 4. (3g) (d) that
3abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur or that a specific person has abused
4or neglected the child. If in conducting the assessment the agency or county
5department determines that there is reason to suspect that substantial abuse or
6neglect has occurred or is likely to occur or that an investigation under sub. (3) (3g)
7is otherwise necessary to ensure the safety of the child and his or her family, the
8agency or county department shall immediately commence an investigation under
9sub. (3) (3g).
SB18,77 10Section 77. 48.981 (3m) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB18,31,2011 48.981 (3m) (c) 3. If the agency or county department determines that there
12is no reason to suspect that abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur, the
13agency or county department shall refer the child's family to a service provider in the
14community for the provision of appropriate services on a voluntary basis. If the
15agency or county department employs the community services response under this
16subdivision, the agency or county department is not required to conduct an
17assessment under subd. 2., refer the report to the sheriff or police department under
18sub. (3) (a) 3. (cg), or determine by a preponderance of the evidence under sub. (3) (c)
194.
(3g) (d) that abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur or that a specific
20person has abused or neglected the child.
SB18,78 21Section 78. 48.981 (3m) (d) of the statutes is repealed.
Note: Repeals a reporting requirement that was required to be fulfilled by July 1,
2012.
SB18,79 22Section 79. 48.981 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB18,32,9
148.981 (5) Coroner's report. Any person or official required to report cases of
2suspected child abuse or neglect who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child
3died as a result of child abuse or neglect shall report the fact to the appropriate
4medical examiner or coroner. The medical examiner or coroner shall accept the
5report for investigation and shall report the findings to the appropriate district
6attorney; to the department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more,
7to a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department in a county
8having a population of 500,000 or more
; to the county department ; to the department;
9and, if the institution making the report initially is a hospital, to the hospital.
Note: In cases resulting in death, clarifies that, in Milwaukee County, a medical
examiner or coroner must report findings to both DCF and the Milwaukee County
contracting agencies.
SB18,80 10Section 80. 48.981 (7) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7) and
11amended to read:
SB18,32,1612 48.981 (7) Confidentiality. All reports made under this section, notices
13provided under sub. (3) (3f) (bm) , and records maintained by an agency and other
14persons, officials, and institutions shall be confidential. Reports and records may be
15disclosed only to the following persons:
No report may be disclosed, except as
16provided in subs. (3f) (c), (7d), (7g), and (7m).
SB18,81 17Section 81. 48.981 (7) (a) 1. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (a).
SB18,82 18Section 82. 48.981 (7) (a) 1m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7g) (am)
19and amended to read:
SB18,33,420 48.981 (7g) (am) Request of reporter. A reporter described in sub. (3) (c) 6m. (3g)
21(fm)
who makes a written request to an agency for information regarding what
22action, if any, was taken to protect the health and welfare of the child or unborn child
23who is the subject of the report, unless a court order under sub. (3) (c) 6m. (3g) (fm)

1prohibits disclosure of that information to that reporter, except that the only
2information that may be disclosed is information in the record regarding what action,
3if any, was taken to protect the health and welfare of the child or unborn child who
4is the subject of the report.
SB18,83 5Section 83. 48.981 (7) (a) 2. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (b).
SB18,84 6Section 84. 48.981 (7) (a) 2m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7g) (bm)
7and amended to read:
SB18,33,108 48.981 (7g) (bm) Intake or dispositional staff. A person authorized to provide
9or providing intake or dispositional services for the court under s. 48.067, 48.069 or,
1048.10, 938.067, 938.069, or 938.10.
Note: Consolidates 2 provisions relating to intake and dispositional staff.
SB18,85 11Section 85. 48.981 (7) (a) 2r. of the statutes is repealed.
Note: Repeals a provision that is consolidated in another provision (former s.
48.981 (7) (a) 2m., stats.).
SB18,86 12Section 86. 48.981 (7) (a) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (c).
SB18,87 13Section 87. 48.981 (7) (a) 3m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (cm).
SB18,88 14Section 88. 48.981 (7) (a) 4. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (d) and
15amended to read:
SB18,33,2016 48.981 (7d) (d) Foster parent or other physical custodian. A child's foster parent
17or other person having physical custody of the child or a person having physical
18custody of the expectant mother of an unborn child, except that the person or agency
19maintaining the record or report may not disclose any information that would
20identify the reporter.
Note: Removes the word "child's" from the phrase "child's foster parent".
SB18,89 21Section 89. 48.981 (7) (a) 4m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (dm)
22and amended to read:
SB18,34,6
148.981 (7d) (dm) Relative. A relative of a child placed outside of his or her home
2only to the extent necessary to facilitate the establishment of a relationship between
3the child and the relative or a placement of the child with the relative or to a person
4provided with the notice under s. 48.21 (5) (e), 48.355 (2) (cm), or 48.357 (2v) (d). In
5this subdivision paragraph, "relative" includes a relative whose relationship is
6derived through a parent of the child whose parental rights are terminated.
SB18,90 7Section 90. 48.981 (7) (a) 4p. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (dp).
SB18,91 8Section 91. 48.981 (7) (a) 5. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (e) and
9amended to read:
SB18,34,1510 48.981 (7d) (e) Community programs and developmental disability services
11professionals.
A professional employee of a county department under s. 51.42 or
1251.437 who is working with the child or the expectant mother of the unborn child
13under a contract with or under the supervision of the county department under s.
1446.22 or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a
15licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
an agency.
SB18,92 16Section 92. 48.981 (7) (a) 6. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (f) and
17amended to read:
SB18,34,2118 48.981 (7d) (f) Multidisciplinary team. A multidisciplinary child abuse and
19neglect or unborn child abuse team recognized by the county department or, in a
20county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child
21welfare agency under contract with the department
agency.
SB18,93 22Section 93. 48.981 (7) (a) 6m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (fm)
23and amended to read:
SB18,35,424 48.981 (7d) (fm) Child advocacy center. A person employed by a child advocacy
25center recognized by the county board, the county department or, in a county having

1a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency
2under contract with the department
or the agency, to the extent necessary to perform
3the services for which the center is recognized by the county board, the county
4department, the department or the licensed child welfare agency
.
SB18,94 5Section 94. 48.981 (7) (a) 8. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (h) and
6amended to read:
SB18,35,97 48.981 (7d) (h) Law enforcement authorities. A law enforcement officer or, law
8enforcement agency, or a district attorney for purposes of investigation or
9prosecution.
SB18,95 10Section 95. 48.981 (7) (a) 8m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (hm)
112. and amended to read:
SB18,35,2112 48.981 (7d) (hm) 2. The department of corrections, the department of health
13services, a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42 , or 51.437, or any
14other person under contract with the department of corrections, the department of
15health services, or a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42, or
1651.437 to exercise custody or supervision over a person who is subject to community
17placement for purposes of investigating or providing services to a person who is
18subject to community placement and who is the subject of a report. In making its
19investigation, the department of corrections, department of health services, county
20department, or other person shall cooperate with the agency making the
21investigation under sub. (3) (c) or (d) (3g) to (3m).
SB18,96 22Section 96. 48.981 (7) (a) 8s. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (hs) and
23amended to read:
SB18,36,924 48.981 (7d) (hs) Sexually violent person commitments. Authorized
25representatives of the department of corrections, the department of health services,

1the department of justice, or a district attorney for use in the prosecution of any
2proceeding or any evaluation conducted under ch. 980, if the reports or records
3involve or relate to an individual who is the subject of the proceeding or evaluation.
4The court in which the proceeding under ch. 980 is pending may issue any protective
5orders that it determines are appropriate concerning information made available or
6disclosed under this subdivision paragraph. Any representative of the department
7of corrections, the department of health services, the department of justice, or a
8district attorney may disclose information obtained under this subdivision
9paragraph for any purpose consistent with any proceeding under ch. 980.
SB18,97 10Section 97. 48.981 (7) (a) 9. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (i).
SB18,98 11Section 98. 48.981 (7) (a) 10. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (j) and
12amended to read:
SB18,36,2113 48.981 (7d) (j) Juvenile court proceedings. A court conducting proceedings
14under s. 48.21 or, 48.213, a court conducting or 938.21, proceedings related to a
15petition under s. 48.13, 48.133, or 48.42 or a court conducting under ch. 938, or
16dispositional proceedings under subch. VI or VIII or under subch. VI of ch. 938 in
17which an issue is the abuse or neglect of the child or the abuse of the unborn child
18who is the subject of the report or record or abuse of the unborn child who is the
19subject of the report or record is an issue
or the substantial risk of abuse or neglect
20of a child who, during the period covered by the report or record, was in the home of
21the child who is the subject of the report or record
.
Note: Consolidates 3 provisions relating to the disclosure of records for certain
juvenile court proceedings.
SB18,99 22Section 99. 48.981 (7) (a) 10g. of the statutes is repealed.
Note: Repeals a provision that is consolidated in another provision (former s.
48.981 (7) (a) 10., stats.).
SB18,100
1Section 100. 48.981 (7) (a) 10j. of the statutes is repealed.
Note: Repeals a provision that is consolidated in another provision (former s.
48.981 (7) (a) 10., stats.).
SB18,101 2Section 101. 48.981 (7) (a) 10m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (k)
3and amended to read:
SB18,37,114 48.981 (7d) (k) Tribal court proceedings. A tribal court, or other adjudicative
5body authorized by an Indian tribe to perform child welfare functions , that exercises
6jurisdiction over children and unborn children alleged to be in need of protection or
7services for use in proceedings in which an issue is abuse or neglect of the child or
8abuse of the unborn child
who is the subject of the report or record or abuse of the
9unborn child who is the subject of the report or record is an issue
or the substantial
10risk of abuse or neglect of a child who, during the period covered by the report or
11record, was in the home of the child who is the subject of the report or record
.
Note: Consolidates 2 provisions relating to the disclosure of records for certain
tribal court proceedings.
SB18,102 12Section 102. 48.981 (7) (a) 10r. of the statutes is repealed.
Note: Repeals a provision that is consolidated in another provision (former s.
48.981 (7) (a) 10m., stats.).
SB18,103 13Section 103. 48.981 (7) (a) 11. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (L)
14and amended to read:
SB18,37,2015 48.981 (7d) (L) Attorneys and guardians ad litem; juvenile court proceedings.
16The county corporation counsel or district attorney representing the interests of the
17public, the agency legal counsel, and the counsel or guardian ad litem representing
18the interests of a child in proceedings under subd. 10., 10g. or 10j. and the guardian
19ad litem representing the interests of
or an unborn child in proceedings under subd.
2010.
par. (j).
SB18,104
1Section 104. 48.981 (7) (a) 11m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (Lm)
2and amended to read:
SB18,38,73 48.981 (7d) (Lm) Attorneys and guardians ad litem; tribal court proceedings.
4An attorney representing the interests of an Indian tribe in proceedings under subd.
510m. or 10r.,
or of an Indian child in proceedings under subd. 10m. or 10r. or of or an
6Indian unborn child, as defined in sub. (3f) (a) 1., in proceedings under subd. 10m.
7par. (k).
SB18,105 8Section 105. 48.981 (7) (a) 11r. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (Lr).
SB18,106 9Section 106. 48.981 (7) (a) 12. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (m).
SB18,107 10Section 107. 48.981 (7) (a) 13. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (n)
11and amended to read:
SB18,38,1412 48.981 (7d) (n) Stepparent adoption screening. The department, a county
13department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), or a licensed child welfare agency ordered
14to conduct a screening or an investigation of a stepparent under s. 48.88 (2) (c).
SB18,108 15Section 108. 48.981 (7) (a) 14. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (o) and
16amended to read:
SB18,38,1817 48.981 (7d) (o) Grand jury. A grand jury if it the grand jury determines that
18access to specified records is necessary for the conduct of its official business.
SB18,109 19Section 109. 48.981 (7) (a) 14m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (om).
SB18,110 20Section 110. 48.981 (7) (a) 15. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (p) and
21amended to read:
SB18,38,2522 48.981 (7d) (p) Child fatality review team. A child fatality review team
23recognized by the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000
24or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the
25department
agency.
SB18,111
1Section 111. 48.981 (7) (a) 15g. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (pg).
SB18,112 2Section 112. 48.981 (7) (a) 15m. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (pm)
3and amended to read:
SB18,39,74 48.981 (7d) (pm) Death investigation. A coroner, medical examiner or,
5pathologist, or other physician investigating the cause of death of a child whose
6death is unexplained or unusual or is associated with unexplained or suspicious
7circumstances.
SB18,113 8Section 113. 48.981 (7) (a) 17. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7d) (r) and
9amended to read:
SB18,39,1310 48.981 (7d) (r) Federal, state, or local agencies. A federal agency, state agency
11of this state or any other state, or local governmental unit located in this state or any
12other state that has a need for a report or record in order to carry out its responsibility
13to protect children from abuse or neglect or to protect unborn children from abuse.
SB18,114 14Section 114. 48.981 (7) (am) of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (3f) (c) and
15amended to read:
SB18,39,1816 48.981 (3f) (c) Disclosure to tribal social services department. Notwithstanding
17par. (a) (intro.) sub. (7), a tribal agent who receives notice under sub. (3) par. (bm) may
18disclose the notice to a tribal social services department.
SB18,115 19Section 115. 48.981 (7) (b) of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7g) (b) and
20amended to read:
SB18,40,221 48.981 (7g) (b) Authorization of parent. Notwithstanding par. (a), either Either
22parent of a child who is the subject of a report may authorize the disclosure of a record
23relating to that report for use in a child custody proceeding under s. 767.41 or 767.451
24or in an adoption proceeding under s. 48.833, 48.835, 48.837, or 48.839 when the

1child has been the subject of a report
. Any information that would identify a reporter
2shall be deleted before disclosure of a record under this paragraph.
Note: Updates language regarding disclosures by parents.
SB18,116 3Section 116. 48.981 (7) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7g) (c) and
4amended to read:
SB18,40,85 48.981 (7g) (c) Authorization of subject. Notwithstanding par. (a), the The
6subject of a report may authorize the disclosure of a record to the subject's attorney.
7The authorization shall be in writing. Any information that would identify a reporter
8shall be deleted before disclosure of a record under this paragraph.
SB18,117 9Section 117. 48.981 (7) (cm) of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7g) (cm) and
10amended to read:
SB18,40,1311 48.981 (7g) (cm) Abuse or harassment restraining order proceedings.
12Notwithstanding par. (a), an An agency may disclose information from its records for
13use in proceedings under s. 48.25 (6), 813.122, or 813.125.
SB18,118 14Section 118. 48.981 (7) (cr) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7m)
15(a) (intro.) and amended to read:
SB18,40,1616 48.981 (7m) (a) Definitions. (intro.) In this paragraph subsection:
SB18,119 17Section 119. 48.981 (7) (cr) 1. a. and b. of the statutes are renumbered 48.981
18(7m) (a) 1. and 2.
SB18,120 19Section 120. 48.981 (7) (cr) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 48.981
20(7m) (b) (intro.) and amended to read:
SB18,41,321 48.981 (7m) (b) Information to department. (intro.) Notwithstanding par. (a)
22sub. (7), if an agency that receives a report under sub. (3) has reason to suspect that
23an incident of death or serious injury or an incident of egregious abuse or neglect has
24occurred, within 2 working days after determining that such an incident is suspected

1to have occurred the agency shall provide all of the following information to the
2subunit of the department responsible for statewide oversight of child abuse and
3neglect programs:
SB18,121 4Section 121. 48.981 (7) (cr) 2. a. to f. of the statutes are renumbered 48.981
5(7m) (b) 1. to 6.
SB18,122 6Section 122. 48.981 (7) (cr) 3. of the statutes is renumbered 48.981 (7m) (c) and
7amended to read:
SB18,41,208 48.981 (7m) (c) Disclosure of information to public; summary report. 1. Within
92 working days after receiving the information provided under subd. 2. par. (b), the
10subunit of the department that received the information shall disclose to the public
11the fact that the subunit has received the information; whether the department is
12conducting a review of the incident and, if so, the scope of the review and the
13identities of any other agencies with which the department is cooperating at that
14point in conducting the review; whether the child was residing in the home or was
15placed in an out-of-home placement at the time of the incident; and information
16about the child, including the age of the child. If the information received is about
17an incident of egregious abuse or neglect, the subunit of the department shall make
18the same disclosure to a citizen review panel, as described in par. (a) 15g. sub. (7d)
19(pg)
, and, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, to the Milwaukee child
20welfare partnership council.
SB18,42,1421 2. Within 90 days after receiving the information provided under subd. 2. par.
22(b)
, the subunit of the department that received the information shall prepare,
23transmit to the governor and to the appropriate standing committees of the
24legislature under s. 13.172 (3), and make available to the public a summary report
25that contains the information specified in subd. 4. or 5. par. (d) or (e), whichever is

1applicable. That subunit may also include in the summary report a summary of any
2actions taken by the agency in response to the incident and of any changes in policies
3or practices that have been made to address any issues raised in the review and
4recommendations for any further changes in policies, practices, rules, or statutes
5that may be needed to address those issues. If the subunit does not include those
6actions or changes and recommended changes in the summary report, the subunit
7shall prepare, transmit to the governor and to the appropriate standing committees
8of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3), and make available to the public a report of
9those actions or changes and recommended changes within 6 months after receiving
10the information provided under subd. 2. par. (b). Those committees shall review all
11summary reports and reports of changes and recommended changes transmitted
12under this subd. 3. b. subdivision, conduct public hearings on those reports no less
13often than annually, and submit recommendations to the department regarding
14those reports.
SB18,42,2515 3. Subdivision 3. a. and b. does Subdivisions 1. and 2. do not preclude the
16subunit of the department that prepares the summary report from releasing to the
17governor, to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172
18(3), or to the public any of the information specified in subd. 4. or 5. par. (d) or (e)
19before the summary report is transmitted to the governor and to those committees
20and made available to the public; adding to or amending a summary report if new
21information specified in subd. 4. or 5. par. (d) or (e) is received after the summary
22report is transmitted to the governor and to those committees and made available
23to the public; or releasing to the governor, to those committees, and to the public any
24information at any time to correct any inaccurate information reported in the news
25media.
Loading...
Loading...