SB451,8,519
48.357
(1) (am) 2r. If the proposed change in placement involves a child who
20is subject to a dispositional order that terminates as provided in sub. (6) (a) 4. or s.
2148.355 (4) (b) 4. or 48.365 (5) (b) 4., the person or agency primarily responsible for
22implementing the dispositional order, the district attorney, or the corporation
23counsel may request a change in placement under this paragraph only if the child
24or the child's guardian on behalf of the child consents to the change in placement.
25That person or agency, the district attorney, or the corporation counsel shall cause
1written notice of the proposed change in placement to be sent to the child, the
2guardian of the child, and any foster parent or other physical custodian described in
3s. 48.62 (2) of the child. No hearing is required for a change in placement described
4in this subdivision, and the child's placement may be changed at any time after notice
5of the proposed change in placement is sent to the court.
SB451,9
6Section
9. 48.357 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,8,177
48.357
(2) If emergency conditions necessitate an immediate change in the
8placement of a child or expectant mother placed outside the home, the person or
9agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order may remove
10the child or expectant mother to a new placement, whether or not authorized by the
11existing dispositional order, without the prior notice provided in sub. (1) (am) 1.
or
12the consent required under sub. (1) (am) 2r. The notice shall, however, be sent within
1348 hours after the emergency change in placement. Any party receiving notice may
14demand a hearing under sub. (1) (am) 2. In emergency situations, a child may be
15placed in a licensed public or private shelter care facility as a transitional placement
16for not more than 20 days, as well as in any placement authorized under s. 48.345
17(3).
SB451,10
18Section
10. 48.357 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,9,1019
48.357
(2m) (a)
The Except as provided in par. (bv), the child, the parent,
20guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian of the child, the expectant mother, the
21unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or any person or agency
22primarily bound by the dispositional order, other than the person or agency
23responsible for implementing the order, may request a change in placement under
24this paragraph. The request shall contain the name and address of the new
25placement requested and shall state what new information is available that affects
1the advisability of the current placement. If the proposed change in placement would
2change the placement of a child placed in the child's home to a placement outside the
3child's home, the request shall also contain specific information showing that
4continued placement of the child in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the
5child and, unless any of the circumstances under s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies,
6specific information showing that the agency primarily responsible for
7implementing the dispositional order has made reasonable efforts to prevent the
8removal of the child from the home, while assuring that the child's health and safety
9are the paramount concerns. The request shall be submitted to the court. The court
10may also propose a change in placement on its own motion.
SB451,11
11Section
11. 48.357 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,9,2512
48.357
(2m) (b) The court shall hold a hearing prior to ordering any change in
13placement requested or proposed under par. (a) if the request states that new
14information is available that affects the advisability of the current placement.
A 15Except as provided in par. (bv), a hearing is not required if the requested or proposed
16change in placement does not involve a change in placement of a child placed in the
17child's home to a placement outside the child's home, written waivers of objection to
18the proposed change in placement are signed by all persons entitled to receive notice
19under this paragraph, other than a court-appointed special advocate, and the court
20approves. If a hearing is scheduled, not less than 3 days before the hearing the court
21shall notify the child, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the child, any
22foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, the
23child's court-appointed special advocate, all parties who are bound by the
24dispositional order, and, if the child is an Indian child, the Indian child's Indian
25custodian and tribe. If the child is the expectant mother of an unborn child under
1s. 48.133, the court shall also notify the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian
2ad litem. If the change in placement involves an adult expectant mother of an unborn
3child under s. 48.133, the court shall notify the adult expectant mother, the unborn
4child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, and all parties who are bound by the
5dispositional order, at least 3 days prior to the hearing. A copy of the request or
6proposal for the change in placement shall be attached to the notice. Subject to par.
7(br), if all of the parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing.
SB451,12
8Section
12. 48.357 (2m) (bv) of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,10,199
48.357
(2m) (bv) If the proposed change in placement involves a child who is
10subject to a dispositional order that terminates as provided in sub. (6) (a) 4. or s.
1148.355 (4) (b) 4. or 48.365 (5) (b) 4., only the child or the child's guardian on behalf
12of the child or a person or agency primarily bound by the dispositional order may
13request a change in placement under par. (a). No hearing is required for a change
14in placement described in this paragraph if written waivers of objection to the
15proposed change in placement are signed by the child, the guardian of the child, and
16all parties that are bound by the dispositional order. If a hearing is scheduled, the
17court may proceed immediately with the hearing on the consent of the person who
18requested the change in placement, the child, the guardian of the child, and all
19parties who are bound by the dispositional order.
SB451,13
20Section
13. 48.357 (2v) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,11,221
48.357
(2v) (a) 3. If the court finds that any of the circumstances specified in
22s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies with respect to a parent, a determination that the
23agency primarily responsible for providing services under the change in placement
24order is not required to make reasonable efforts with respect to the parent to make
25it possible for the child to return safely to his or her home.
This subdivision does not
1apply to a child who is subject to a dispositional order that terminates as provided
2in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 4., 48.357 (6) (a) 4., or 48.365 (5) (b) 4.
SB451,14
3Section
14. 48.357 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 48.357 (6) (a) (intro.) and
4amended to read:
SB451,11,95
48.357
(6) (a) (intro.) No change in placement may extend the expiration date
6of the original order, except that if the change in placement is from a placement in
7the child's home to a placement outside the home the court may extend the expiration
8date of the original order to the
latest of the following dates, unless the court specifies
9a shorter period:
SB451,11,10
101. The date on which the child reaches 18 years of age
, to the.
SB451,11,12
112. The date that is one year after the date
of on which the change in placement
12order
, or, if is entered.
SB451,11,19
133. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high school
14equivalency diploma or the date on which the child reaches 19 years of age,
15whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its
16vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected to complete the
17program before reaching 19 years of age
, to the date on which the child reaches 19
18years of age, whichever is later, or for a shorter period of time as specified by the
19court.
SB451,11,25
20(b) If the change in placement is from a placement outside the home to a
21placement in the child's home and if the expiration date of the original order is more
22than one year after the date
of on which the change in placement order
is entered,
23the court shall shorten the expiration date of the original order to the date that is one
24year after the date
of on which the change in placement order
is entered or to an
25earlier date as specified by the court.
SB451,15
1Section
15. 48.357 (6) (a) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,12,122
48.357
(6) (a) 4. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high
3school equivalency diploma or the date on which the child reaches 21 years of age,
4whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its
5vocational or technical equivalent and if an individualized education program under
6s. 115.787 is in effect for the child. The court may not enter an order that terminates
7as provided in this subdivision unless the child is 17 years of age or older when the
8order is entered and the child, or the child's guardian on behalf of the child, agrees
9to the order. At any time after the child reaches 18 years of age, the child, or the
10child's guardian on behalf of the child, may request the court in writing to terminate
11the order and, on receipt of such a request, the court, without a hearing, shall
12terminate the order.
SB451,16
13Section
16. 48.365 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 48.365 (5) (a) and
14amended to read:
SB451,12,1815
48.365
(5) (a) Except as provided in s. 48.368, an order under this section that
16continues the placement of a child in his or her home or that relates to an unborn
17child of an adult expectant mother shall be for a specified length of time not to exceed
18one year after
its the date
of entry on which the order is entered.
SB451,12,21
19(b) Except as provided in s. 48.368, an order under this section that continues
20the placement of a child in an out-of-home placement shall be for a specified length
21of time not to exceed the
latest of the following dates:
SB451,12,22
221. The date on which the child reaches 18 years of age
,.
SB451,12,24
232. The date that is one year after the date
of entry of on which the order
, or, if 24is entered.
SB451,13,6
13. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high school
2equivalency diploma or the date on which the child reaches 19 years of age,
3whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its
4vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected to complete the
5program before reaching 19 years of age
, the date on which the child reaches 19 years
6of age, whichever is later.
SB451,17
7Section
17. 48.365 (5) (b) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,13,188
48.365
(5) (b) 4. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high
9school equivalency diploma or the date on which the child reaches 21 years of age,
10whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its
11vocational or technical equivalent and if an individualized education program under
12s. 115.787 is in effect for the child. The court may not enter an order that terminates
13as provided in this subdivision unless the child is 17 years of age or older when the
14order is entered and the child, or the child's guardian on behalf of the child, agrees
15to the order. At any time after the child reaches 18 years of age, the child, or the
16child's guardian on behalf of the child, may request the court in writing to terminate
17the order and, on receipt of such a request, the court, without a hearing, shall
18terminate the order.
SB451,18
19Section
18. 48.366 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to read:
SB451,14,4
2048.366 Extended out-of-home care. (1) Applicability. This section applies
21to a person who is placed in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for
22children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, or in a supervised
23independent living arrangement under an order under s. 48.355, 48.357, or 48.365
24that terminates as provided in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 1., 2., or 3., 48.357 (6) (a) 1., 2., or 3.,
25or 48.365 (5) (b) 1., 2., or 3. on or after the person attains 18 years of age or who is
1in the guardianship and custody of an agency specified in s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4.
2or (am) under an order under s. 48.43, who is a full-time student of a secondary
3school or its vocational or technical equivalent, and for whom an individualized
4education program under s. 115.787 is in effect.
SB451,14,20
5(2) Transition-to-discharge hearing. (a) Not less than 120 days before an
6order described in sub. (1) terminates, the agency primarily responsible for providing
7services under the order shall request the person who is the subject of the order to
8indicate whether he or she wishes to be discharged from out-of-home care on
9termination of the order or wishes to continue in out-of-home care under a voluntary
10agreement under sub. (3). If the person is subject to an order under s. 48.355, 48.357,
11or 48.365 described in sub. (1), the agency shall also request the person to indicate
12whether he or she wishes to continue in out-of-home care until the date specified in
13s. 48.365 (5) (b) 4. under an extension of the order. If the person indicates that he or
14she wishes to be discharged from out-of-home care on termination of the order, the
15agency shall request a transition-to-discharge hearing under par. (b). If the person
16indicates that he or she wishes to continue in out-of-home care under an extension
17of an order under s. 48.355, 48.357, or 48.365 described in sub. (1), the agency shall
18request an extension of the order under s. 48.365. If the person indicates that he or
19she wishes to continue in out-of-home care under a voluntary agreement under sub.
20(3), the agency and the person shall enter into such an agreement.
SB451,15,521
(b) 1. If the person who is the subject of an order described in sub. (1) indicates
22that he or she wishes to be discharged from out-of-home care on termination of the
23order, the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the person under the
24order shall request the court to hold a transition-to-discharge hearing and shall
25cause notice of that request to be provided to that person, the parent, guardian, and
1legal custodian of that person, any foster parent or other physical custodian
2described in s. 48.62 (2) of that person, that person's court-appointed special
3advocate, all parties who are bound by the dispositional order, and, if that person is
4an Indian child who has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian
5custodian, that person's Indian custodian and tribe.
SB451,15,116
2. The court shall hold a hearing requested under subd. 1. within 30 days after
7receipt of the request. Not less than 3 days before the hearing, the agency requesting
8the hearing shall provide notice of the hearing to all persons who are entitled to
9receive notice of the request under subd. 1. A copy of the request shall be attached
10to the notice. If all persons who are entitled to receive the notice consent, the court
11may proceed immediately with the hearing.
SB451,15,1612
3. At the hearing the court shall review with the person who is the subject of
13an order described in sub. (1) the options specified in par. (a) and shall advise the
14person that he or she may continue in out-of-home care as provided in par. (a) under
15an extension of an order under s. 48.355, 48.357, or 48.365 described in sub. (1) or
16under a voluntary agreement under sub. (3).
SB451,16,617
4. If the court determines that the person who is the subject of an order
18described in sub. (1) understands that he or she may continue in out-of-home care,
19but wishes to be discharged from that care on termination of the order, the court shall
20advise the person that he or she may enter into a voluntary agreement under sub.
21(3) at any time before he or she is granted a high school or high school equivalency
22diploma or reaches 21 years of age, whichever occurs first, so long as he or she is a
23full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and
24an individualized education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for him or her. If
25the court determines that the person wishes to continue in out-of-home care under
1an extension of an order under s. 48.355, 48.357, or 48.365 described in sub. (1), the
2court shall schedule an extension hearing under s. 48.365. If the court determines
3that the person wishes to continue in out-of-home care under a voluntary agreement
4under sub. (3), the court shall order the agency primarily responsible for providing
5services to the person under the order to provide transition-to-independent-living
6services for the person under a voluntary agreement under sub. (3).
SB451,16,17
7(3) Voluntary transition-to-independent-living agreement. (a) On
8termination of an order described in sub. (1), the person who is the subject of the
9order, or the person's guardian on behalf of the person, and the agency primarily
10responsible for providing services to the person under the order may enter into a
11transition-to-independent-living agreement under which the person continues in
12out-of-home care and continues to be a full-time student at a secondary school or
13its vocational or technical equivalent under an individualized education program
14under s. 115.787 until the date on which the person reaches 21 years of age, is granted
15a high school or high school equivalency diploma, or terminates the agreement as
16provided in par. (b), whichever occurs first, and the agency provides services to the
17person to assist him or her in transitioning to independent living.
SB451,16,2118
(b) The person who is the subject of an agreement under par. (a) or his or her
19guardian may terminate the agreement at any time during the term of the
20agreement by notifying the agency primarily responsible for providing services
21under the agreement in writing that the person wishes to terminate the agreement.
SB451,17,622
(c) A person who terminates a voluntary agreement under this subsection, or
23the person's guardian on the person's behalf, may request the agency primarily
24responsible for providing services to the person under the agreement to enter into a
25new voluntary agreement under this subsection at any time before the person is
1granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma or reaches 21 years of age,
2whichever occurs first, so long as the person is a full-time student at a secondary
3school or its vocational or technical equivalent and an individualized education
4program under s. 115.787 is in effect for him or her. If the request meets the
5conditions set forth in the rules promulgated under sub. (4) (b), the agency shall enter
6into a new voluntary agreement with that person.
SB451,17,8
7(4) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.
8Those rules shall include all of the following:
SB451,17,129
(a) Rules permitting a foster home, group home, or residential care center for
10children and youth to provide care for persons who agree to continue in out-of-home
11care under an extension of an order described in sub. (1) or a voluntary agreement
12under sub. (3).
SB451,17,1613
(b) Rules setting forth the conditions under which a person who has terminated
14a voluntary agreement under sub. (3) and the agency primarily responsible for
15providing services under the agreement may enter into a new voluntary agreement
16under sub. (3) (c).
SB451,19
17Section
19. 48.38 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,18,218
48.38
(2) Permanency plan required. (intro.) Except as provided in sub. (3),
19for each child living in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children
20and youth, juvenile detention facility,
or shelter care facility,
or supervised
21independent living arrangement, the agency that placed the child or arranged the
22placement or the agency assigned primary responsibility for providing services to the
23child under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 6g. shall prepare a written permanency plan, if any of
24the following conditions exists, and, for each child living in the home of a guardian
1or a relative other than a parent, that agency shall prepare a written permanency
2plan, if any of the conditions specified in pars. (a) to (e) exists:
SB451,20
3Section
20. 48.38 (2) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,18,74
48.38
(2) (g) The child's parent is placed in a foster home, group home,
5residential care center for children and youth, juvenile detention facility,
or shelter
6care facility
, or supervised independent living arrangement and the child is residing
7with that parent.
SB451,21
8Section
21. 48.38 (4) (ar) of the statutes is renumbered 48.38 (4) (ar) (intro.)
9and amended to read:
SB451,18,1710
48.38
(4) (ar) (intro.) A description of the services offered and any services
11provided in an effort to prevent the removal of the child from his or her home, while
12assuring that the health and safety of the child are the paramount concerns, and to
13achieve the goal of the permanency plan, except that the permanency plan is not
14required to include a description of the services offered or provided with respect to
15a parent of the child to prevent the removal of the child from the home or to achieve
16the permanency goal of returning the child safely to his or her home if any of the
17following applies:
SB451,18,19
181. Any of the circumstances specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies to that
19parent.
SB451,22
20Section
22. 48.38 (4) (ar) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,18,2121
48.38
(4) (ar) 2. The child has attained 18 years of age.
SB451,23
22Section
23. 48.38 (4) (fg) 6. of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,18,2423
48.38
(4) (fg) 6. If the child has attained 18 years of age, transition to
24independent living.
SB451,24
25Section
24. 48.38 (5) (c) 9. of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,19,7
148.38
(5) (c) 9. If the child is the subject of an order that terminates as provided
2in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 4., 48.357 (6) (a) 4. or 48.365 (5) (b) 4., the appropriateness of the
3transition-to-independent-living plan developed under s. 48.385; the extent of
4compliance with that plan by the child, the child's guardian, if any, the agency
5primarily responsible for providing services under that plan, and any other service
6providers; and the progress of the child toward making the transition to independent
7living.
SB451,25
8Section
25. 48.385 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,19,22
948.385 Plan for transition to independent living. During the 90 days
10immediately before a child who is placed in a foster home, group home, or residential
11care center for children and youth
or, in the home of a relative other than a parent
,
12or in a supervised independent living arrangement attains 18 years of age or, if the
13child is placed in such a placement under an order under s. 48.355, 48.357,
or 48.365
,
14938.355, 938.357, or 938.365 that terminates under s. 48.355 (4)
or 938.355 (4) (b) 15after the child attains 18 years of age, during the 90 days immediately before the
16termination of the order, the agency primarily responsible for providing services to
17the child under the order shall provide the child with assistance and support in
18developing a plan for making the transition from out-of-home care to independent
19living. The transition plan shall be personalized at the direction of the child, shall
20be as detailed as the child directs, and shall include specific options for obtaining
21housing, health care, education, mentoring and continuing support services, and
22workforce support and employment services.
SB451,26
23Section
26. 48.44 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 48.44 and amended to read:
SB451,20,3
148.44 Jurisdiction over persons 17 or older. The court has jurisdiction
2over persons 17 years of age or older as provided under ss. 48.133, 48.355 (4)
, 48.357
3(6), 48.365 (5), and 48.45 and as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter.
SB451,27
4Section
27. 48.44 (2) of the statutes is repealed.
SB451,28
5Section
28. 48.48 (17) (c) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,20,76
48.48
(17) (c) 4. Is living in a foster home, group home, or residential care center
7for children and youth
or in a supervised independent living arrangement.
SB451,20,1610
48.481
(2) Transition to independent living. The department shall distribute
11at least $231,700 in each fiscal year
to counties for the purpose of assisting
12individuals who attain the age of 18 while residing in a foster home, group home, or
13residential care center for children and youth
or, in the home of a relative other than
14a parent
, or in a supervised independent living arrangement to make the transition
15from out-of-home care to independent living. No county may use funds provided
16under this subsection to replace funds previously used by the county for this purpose.
SB451,30
17Section
30. 48.57 (3) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,20,2018
48.57
(3) (a) 4. Is living in a foster home, group home, residential care center
19for children and youth, or subsidized guardianship home
or in a supervised
20independent living arrangement.
SB451,31
21Section
31. 48.57 (3m) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,21,422
48.57
(3m) (a) 1. "Child" means a person under 18 years of age
or; a person 18
23years of age or over, but under 19 years of age, who is a full-time student in good
24academic standing at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and
25who is reasonably expected to complete his or her program of study and be granted
1a high school or high school equivalency diploma
; or a person 18 years of age or over,
2but under 21 years of age, who is a full-time student in good academic standing at
3a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent if an individualized
4education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for the person.
SB451,32
5Section
32. 48.57 (3n) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,21,136
48.57
(3n) (a) 1. "Child" means a person under 18 years of age
or; a person 18
7years of age or over, but under 19 years of age, who is a full-time student in good
8academic standing at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and
9who is reasonably expected to complete his or her program of study and be granted
10a high school or high school equivalency diploma
; or a person 18 years of age or over,
11but under 21 years of age, who is a full-time student in good academic standing at
12a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent if an individualized
13education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for the person.
SB451,33
14Section
33. 48.57 (3n) (am) 6. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,21,2515
48.57
(3n) (am) 6. a. The date on which the child attains the age of 18 years
; 16or, if on that date the child is a full-time student in good academic standing at a
17secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected
18to complete his or her program of study and be granted a high school or high school
19equivalency diploma, the date on which the child is granted a high school or high
20school equivalency diploma or the date on which the child attains the age of 19 years,
21whichever occurs first
; or, if on that date the child is a full-time student in good
22academic standing at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and
23an individualized education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for the child, the
24date on which the child is granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma
25or the date on which the child attains the age of 21 years, whichever occurs first.
SB451,34
1Section
34. 48.619 of the statutes is renumbered 48.619 (intro.) and amended
2to read:
SB451,22,7
348.619 Definition. (intro.) In this subchapter, "child" means a person under
418 years of age
and also includes, for. For purposes of counting the number of
5children for whom a foster home or group home may provide care and maintenance,
6"child" also includes a person 18 years of age or over
, but who resides in the foster
7home or group home, if any of the following applies:
SB451,22,12
8(1) The person is under 19 years of age,
who is a full-time student at a
9secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent,
who and is reasonably
10expected to complete the program before reaching 19 years of age
, who was residing
11in the foster home or group home immediately prior to his or her 18th birthday, and
12who continues to reside in that foster home or group home.
SB451,35
13Section
35. 48.619 (2) of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,22,1614
48.619
(2) The person is under 21 years of age, is a full-time student at a
15secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent, and an individualized
16education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for the person.
SB451,36
17Section
36. 48.64 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,23,2518
48.64
(4) (a)
Any Except as provided in par. (d), any decision or order issued by
19an agency that affects the head of a foster home or group home, the head of the home
20of a relative other than a parent in which a child is placed, or the child involved may
21be appealed to the department under fair hearing procedures established under
22rules promulgated by the department. Upon receipt of an appeal, the department
23shall give the head of the home reasonable notice and an opportunity for a fair
24hearing. The department may make any additional investigation that the
25department considers necessary. The department shall give notice of the hearing to
1the head of the home and to the departmental subunit, county department, or child
2welfare agency that issued the decision or order. Each person receiving notice is
3entitled to be represented at the hearing. At all hearings conducted under this
4paragraph, the head of the home, or a representative of the head of the home, shall
5have an adequate opportunity, notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), to examine all
6documents and records to be used at the hearing at a reasonable time before the date
7of the hearing as well as during the hearing, to bring witnesses, to establish all
8pertinent facts and circumstances, and to question or refute any testimony or
9evidence, including an opportunity to confront and cross-examine adverse
10witnesses. The department shall grant a continuance for a reasonable period of time
11when an issue is raised for the first time during a hearing. This requirement may
12be waived with the consent of the parties. The decision of the department shall be
13based exclusively on evidence introduced at the hearing. A transcript of testimony
14and exhibits, or an official report containing the substance of what transpired at the
15hearing, together with all papers and requests filed in the proceeding, and the
16findings of the hearing examiner shall constitute the exclusive record for decision by
17the department. The department shall make the record available at any reasonable
18time and at an accessible place to the head of the home or his or her representative.
19Decisions by the department shall specify the reasons for the decision and identify
20the supporting evidence. No person participating in an agency action being appealed
21may participate in the final administrative decision on that action. The department
22shall render its decision as soon as possible after the hearing and shall send a
23certified copy of its decision to the head of the home and to the departmental subunit,
24county department, or child welfare agency that issued the decision or order. The
25decision shall be binding on all parties concerned.
SB451,37
1Section
37. 48.64 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,24,142
48.64
(4) (c)
The Except as provided in par. (d), the circuit court for the county
3where the dispositional order placing a child in a foster home or group home or in the
4home of a relative other than a parent was entered or the voluntary agreement under
5s. 48.63 placing a child in a foster home or group home was made has jurisdiction
6upon petition of any interested party over the child who is placed in the foster home,
7group home, or home of the relative. The circuit court may call a hearing, at which
8the head of the home and the supervising agency under sub. (2) shall be present, for
9the purpose of reviewing any decision or order of that agency involving the placement
10and care of the child. If the child has been placed in a foster home or in the home of
11a relative other than a parent, the foster parent or relative may present relevant
12evidence at the hearing. The petitioner has the burden of proving by clear and
13convincing evidence that the decision or order issued by the agency is not in the best
14interests of the child.
SB451,38
15Section
38. 48.64 (4) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
SB451,24,1916
48.64
(4) (d) No decision or order to change the placement of a child who is in
17out-of-home care under a voluntary transition-to-independent-living agreement
18under s. 48.366 (3) or 938.366 (3) may be appealed to the department under par. (a)
19or reviewed by the circuit court under par. (c).
SB451,39
20Section
39. 48.645 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,25,221
48.645
(1) Definition. (intro.) In this section, "dependent child" means a child
22under the age of 18 or, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its
23vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected to complete the
24program before reaching 19
years of age, is under the age of 19,
or, if the child is a
25full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent for
1whom an individualized educational program under s. 115.787 is in effect, is under
221 years of age, who meets all of the following conditions:
SB451,40
3Section
40. 48.645 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,25,134
48.645
(1) (a) The child is living in a foster home licensed under s. 48.62 if a
5license is required under that section, in a foster home located within the boundaries
6of a reservation in this state and licensed by the tribal governing body of the
7reservation, in a group home licensed under s. 48.625, in a subsidized guardianship
8home under s. 48.623,
or in a residential care center for children and youth licensed
9under s. 48.60,
or in a supervised independent living arrangement and has been
10placed in
the foster home, group home, subsidized guardianship that home,
or center
,
11or arrangement by a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23, by the
12department, or by a governing body of an Indian tribe in this state under an
13agreement with a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23.
SB451,25,2516
48.645
(2) (a) 3. A county or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more,
17the department, when the child is placed in a licensed foster home, group home, or
18residential care center for children and youth
or, in a subsidized guardianship home
,
19or in a supervised independent living arrangement by a licensed child welfare agency
20or by a governing body of an Indian tribe in this state or by its designee, if the child
21is in the legal custody of the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 or
22the department under s. 48.48 (17) or if the child was removed from the home of a
23relative as a result of a judicial determination that continuance in the home of the
24relative would be contrary to the child's welfare for any reason and the placement is
25made under an agreement with the county department or the department.
SB451,42
1Section
42. 48.645 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB451,26,92
48.645
(2) (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), aid under this section may not be
3granted for placement of a child in a foster home licensed by a governing body of an
4Indian tribe, for placement of a child in a foster home, group home, subsidized
5guardianship home,
or residential care center for children and youth
, or supervised
6independent living arrangement by a governing body of an Indian tribe or its
7designee, or for the placement of a child who is a ward of a tribal court if the governing
8body of the Indian tribe of the tribal court is receiving or is eligible to receive funds
9from the federal government for that type of placement.