SB317: Bill Text

SB317,49,10 48.57 (3n) (c) The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall require the parent or parents of a child for whom a payment is made under par. (am) to initiate or continue health care insurance coverage for the child.

SB317,109 Section 109. 48.57 (3n) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,49,17 48.57 (3n) (d) The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall, at least once every 12 months after the county department or department begins making payments under this subsection, determine whether any of the events specified in par. (am) 6. a. to f. have occurred. If any such events have occurred, the county department or department shall discontinue making those payments.

SB317,110 Section 110. 48.57 (3n) (g) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,50,3 48.57 (3n) (g) 2. (intro.) If a recipient requests a hearing within 10 days after the date of notice that his or her payments under par. (am) are being discontinued, those payments may not be discontinued until a decision is rendered after the hearing but payments made pending the hearing decision may be recovered by the department if the contested action or failure to act is upheld. The department shall promptly notify the county department of the county in which the recipient resides or, if the recipient resides in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the subunit of the department administering of the long-term kinship care program in that county that the recipient has requested a hearing. Payments under par. (am) shall be discontinued if any of the following applies:

SB317,111 Section 111. 48.57 (3n) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,50,12 48.57 (3n) (h) A county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may recover an overpayment made under par. (am) from a long-term kinship care relative who continues to receive payments under par. (am) by reducing the amount of the long-term kinship care relative's monthly payment. The department may by rule specify other methods for recovering overpayments made under par. (am). A county department that recovers an overpayment under this paragraph due to the efforts of its officers and employees may retain a portion of the amount recovered, as provided by the department by rule.

SB317,112 Section 112. 48.57 (3p) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,50,17 48.57 (3p) (b) 1. After receipt of an application for payments under sub. (3m) or (3n), the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, shall conduct a background investigation of the applicant.

SB317,113 Section 113. 48.57 (3p) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,50,23 48.57 (3p) (b) 2. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, may conduct a background investigation of any person who is receiving payments under sub. (3m) at the time of review under sub. (3m) (d) or at any other time that the county department or department considers to be appropriate.

SB317,114 Section 114. 48.57 (3p) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,51,5 48.57 (3p) (b) 3. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, may conduct a background investigation of any person who is receiving payments under sub. (3n) at any time that the county department or department considers to be appropriate.

SB317,115 Section 115. 48.57 (3p) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,51,13 48.57 (3p) (c) 1. After receipt of an application for payments under sub. (3m) or (3n), the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, shall, in addition to the investigation under par. (b) 1., conduct a background investigation of all employees and prospective employees of the applicant who have or would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made and of each adult resident.

SB317,116 Section 116. 48.57 (3p) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,51,21 48.57 (3p) (c) 2. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, may conduct a background investigation of any of the employees or prospective employees of any person who is receiving payments under sub. (3m) who have or would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made and of each adult resident at the time of review under sub. (3m) (d) or at any other time that the county department or department considers to be appropriate.

SB317,117 Section 117. 48.57 (3p) (c) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,52,4 48.57 (3p) (c) 2m. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, may conduct a background investigation of any of the employees or prospective employees of any person who is receiving payments under sub. (3n) who have or would have regular contact with the child for whom payments are being made and of each adult resident at any time that the county department or department considers to be appropriate.

SB317,118 Section 118. 48.57 (3p) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,52,13 48.57 (3p) (c) 3. Before a person who is receiving payments under sub. (3m) or (3n) may employ any person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or permit any person to be an adult resident, the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, with the assistance of the department of justice, shall conduct a background investigation of the prospective employee or prospective adult resident unless that person has already been investigated under subd. 1., 2. or 2m.

SB317,119 Section 119. 48.57 (3p) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,53,2 48.57 (3p) (d) If the person being investigated under par. (b) or (c) is a nonresident, or at any time within the 5 years preceding the date of the application has been a nonresident, or if the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department determines that the person's employment, licensing or state court records provide a reasonable basis for further investigation, the county department or department shall require the person to be fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards, each bearing a complete set of the person's fingerprints, or by other technologies approved by law enforcement agencies. The department of justice may provide for the submission of the fingerprint cards or fingerprints by other technologies to the federal bureau of investigation for the purposes of verifying the identity of the person fingerprinted and obtaining records of his or her criminal arrest and conviction.

SB317,120 Section 120. 48.57 (3p) (e) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,53,6 48.57 (3p) (e) (intro.) Upon request, a person being investigated under par. (b) or (c) shall provide the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department with all of the following information:

SB317,121 Section 121. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,53,19 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may provisionally approve the making of payments under sub. (3m) based on the applicant's statement under sub. (3m) (am) 4m. The county department or department may not finally approve the making of payments under sub. (3m) unless the county department or department receives information from the department of justice indicating that the conviction record of the applicant under the law of this state is satisfactory according to the criteria specified in par. (g) 1. to 3. or payment is approved under par. (h) 4. The county department or department may make payments under sub. (3m) conditioned on the receipt of information from the federal bureau of investigation indicating that the person's conviction record under the law of any other state or under federal law is satisfactory according to the criteria specified in par. (g) 1. to 3.

SB317,122 Section 122. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1m. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,54,15 48.57 (3p) (fm) 1m. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may not enter into the agreement under sub. (3n) (am) 6. unless the county department or department receives information from the department of justice relating to the conviction record of the applicant under the law of this state and that record indicates either that the applicant has not been arrested or convicted or that the applicant has been arrested or convicted but the director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records under this subdivision determines that the conviction record is satisfactory because it does not include any arrest or conviction that the director or person designated by the secretary determines is likely to adversely affect the child or the applicant's ability to care for the child. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make payments under sub. (3n) conditioned on the receipt of information from the federal bureau of investigation indicating that the person's conviction record under the law of any other state or under federal law is satisfactory because the conviction record does not include any arrest or conviction that the director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records under this subdivision determines is likely to adversely affect the child or the applicant's ability to care for the child.

SB317,123 Section 123. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,55,20 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2. A person receiving payments under sub. (3m) may provisionally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or provisionally permit a person to be an adult resident if the person receiving those payments states to the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department that the employee or adult resident does not have any arrests or convictions that could adversely affect the child or the ability of the person receiving payments to care for the child. A person receiving payments under sub. (3m) may not finally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or finally permit a person to be an adult resident until the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department receives information from the department of justice indicating that the person's conviction record under the law of this state is satisfactory according to the criteria specified in par. (g) 1. to 3. and the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department so advises the person receiving payments under sub. (3m) or until a decision is made under par. (h) 4. to permit a person who is 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 to permit a person to be an adult resident and the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department so advises the person receiving payments under sub. (3m). A person receiving payments under sub. (3m) may finally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or finally permit a person to be an adult resident conditioned on the receipt of information from the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department that the federal bureau of investigation indicates that the person's conviction record under the law of any other state or under federal law is satisfactory according to the criteria specified in par. (g) 1. to 3.

SB317,124 Section 124. 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,57,4 48.57 (3p) (fm) 2m. A person receiving payments under sub. (3n) may provisionally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or provisionally permit a person to be an adult resident if the person receiving those payments states to the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department that, to the best of his or her knowledge, the employee or adult resident does not have any arrests or convictions that could adversely affect the child or the ability of the person receiving payments to care for the child. A person receiving payment under sub. (3n) may not finally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or finally permit a person to be an adult resident until the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department receives information from the department of justice relating to the person's conviction record under the law of this state and that record indicates either that the person has not been arrested or convicted or that the person has been arrested or convicted but the director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records under this subdivision determines that the conviction record is satisfactory because it does not include any arrest or conviction that is likely to adversely affect the child or the ability of the person receiving payments to care for the child and the county department or department so advises the person receiving payments under sub. (3n). A person receiving payments under sub. (3n) may finally employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or finally permit a person to be an adult resident conditioned on the receipt of information from the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department that the federal bureau of investigation indicates that the person's conviction record under the law of any other state or under federal law is satisfactory because the conviction record does not include any arrest or conviction that the director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records under this subdivision determines is likely to adversely affect the child or the ability of the person receiving payments to care for the child.

SB317,125 Section 125. 48.57 (3p) (g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,57,11 48.57 (3p) (g) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (h), the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may not make payments to a person applying for payments under sub. (3m) and a person receiving payments under sub. (3m) may not employ a person in a position in which that person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or permit a person to be an adult resident if any of the following applies:

SB317,126 Section 126. 48.57 (3p) (g) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,57,25 48.57 (3p) (g) 3. The person has been convicted of a violation of ch. 940, 944, or 948, other than a violation of s. 940.291, 940.34, 944.36, 948.45, 948.63, or 948.70, or of a violation of the law of any other state or federal law that would be a violation of ch. 940, 944, or 948, other than a violation of s. 940.291, 940.34, 944.36, 948.45, 948.63, or 948.70, if committed in this state, except that a county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make payments to a person applying for payments under sub. (3m) and a person receiving payments under sub. (3m) may employ in a position in which the person would have regular contact with the child for whom those payments are being made or permit to be an adult resident a person who has been convicted of a violation of s. 944.30 (1m), 944.31, or 944.33 or of a violation of the law of any other state or federal law that would be a violation of s. 944.30 (1m), 944.31, or 944.33 if committed in this state, if that violation occurred 20 years or more before the date of the investigation.

SB317,127 Section 127. 48.57 (3p) (h) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,58,8 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 500,000 750,000 or more, with the person designated by the secretary to receive requests for review filed under this subdivision. If the governing body of an Indian tribe 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.

SB317,128 Section 128. 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,58,19 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) The director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of an Indian tribe or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 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 Indian tribe or the person designated by the secretary shall consider all of the following factors:

SB317,129 Section 129. 48.57 (3p) (h) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,59,7 48.57 (3p) (h) 4. If the director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of the Indian tribe or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 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 Indian tribe, 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.

SB317,130 Section 130. 48.57 (3p) (hm) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,59,17 48.57 (3p) (hm) A county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may not make payments to a person under sub. (3n) and a person receiving payments under sub. (3n) may not 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 if the director of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary to review conviction records under this paragraph determines that the person has any arrest or conviction that is likely to adversely affect the child or the person's ability to care for the child.

SB317,131 Section 131. 48.57 (3p) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,59,23 48.57 (3p) (i) A county department and, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall keep confidential all information received under this subsection from the department of justice or the federal bureau of investigation. Such information is not subject to inspection or copying under s. 19.35.

SB317,132 Section 132. 48.57 (3p) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,60,4 48.57 (3p) (j) A county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may charge a fee for conducting a background investigation under this subsection. The fee may not exceed the reasonable cost of conducting the investigation.

SB317,133 Section 133. 48.58 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,60,8 48.58 County children's home in populous counties. (intro.) Any existing county children's home in counties with a population of 500,000 750,000 or more may do any of the following:

SB317,134 Section 134. 48.59 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,61,2 48.59 (1) The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or an agency under contract with the department shall investigate the personal and family history and environment of any child transferred to its legal custody or placed under its supervision under s. 48.345 and of every expectant mother of an unborn child placed under its supervision under s. 48.347 and make any physical or mental examinations of the child or expectant mother considered necessary to determine the type of care necessary for the child or expectant mother. The county department, department or agency shall screen a child or expectant mother who is examined under this subsection to determine whether the child or expectant mother is in need of special treatment or care because of alcohol or other drug abuse, mental illness or severe emotional disturbance. The county department, department or agency shall keep a complete record of the information received from the court, the date of reception, all available data on the personal and family history of the child or expectant mother, the results of all tests and examinations given the child or expectant mother and a complete history of all placements of the child while in the legal custody or under the supervision of the county department, department or agency or of the expectant mother while under the supervision of the county department, department or agency.

SB317,135 Section 135. 48.651 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,61,16 48.651 (1) (intro.) Except as provided in s. 49.155 (4) (c), no person, other than a child care center licensed under s. 48.65 or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14), may receive payment for providing child care services for an individual who is determined eligible for a child care subsidy under s. 49.155 unless the person is certified, according to the standards adopted by the department under s. 49.155 (1d), by the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency with which the department contracts under sub. (2). To be certified under this section, a person must meet the minimum requirements for certification established by the department under s. 49.155 (1d), meet the requirements specified in s. 48.685, and pay the fee specified in sub. (2). The department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under sub. (2) shall certify the following categories of child care providers:

SB317,136 Section 136. 48.651 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,62,3 48.651 (2) The department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more or a county department shall certify child care providers under sub. (1) or the department may contract with a Wisconsin Works agency, as defined in s. 49.001 (9), child care resource and referral agency, or other agency to certify child care providers under sub. (1) in a particular geographic area or for a particular Indian tribal unit. The department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more or a county department that certifies child care providers under sub. (1) may charge a fee to cover the costs of certifying those providers. An agency contracted with under this subsection may charge a fee specified by the department to supplement the amount provided by the department under the contract for certifying child care providers.

SB317,137 Section 137. 48.651 (2c) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,62,6 48.651 (2c) (a) Reimburse a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more for all approved, allowable certification costs, as provided in s. 49.826 (2) (c).

SB317,138 Section 138. 48.651 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,62,11 48.651 (2m) The department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under sub. (2) shall provide the department of health services with information about each person who is denied certification for a reason specified in s. 48.685 (4m) (a) 1. to 5.

SB317,139 Section 139. 48.651 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,62,21 48.651 (3) (a) If a child care provider certified under sub. (1) is convicted of a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (c) 3m., or if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 (1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (bm), of the child care provider is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing a serious crime on or after his or her 12th birthday, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under sub. (2) shall revoke the certification of the child care provider immediately upon providing written notice of revocation and the grounds for revocation and an explanation of the process for appealing the revocation.

SB317,140 Section 140. 48.651 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,63,9 48.651 (3) (b) If a child care provider certified under sub. (1) is the subject of a pending criminal charge alleging that the person has committed a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (c) 3m., or if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 (1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (bm), of the child care provider is the subject of a pending criminal charge or delinquency petition alleging that the person has committed a serious crime on or after his or her 12th birthday, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under sub. (2) shall immediately suspend the certification of the child care provider until the department, county department, or agency obtains information regarding the final disposition of the charge or delinquency petition indicating that the person is not ineligible to be certified under sub. (1).

SB317,141 Section 141. 48.658 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,63,18 48.658 (4) (a) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section. Those rules shall include a rule requiring the department, whenever it inspects a child care provider that is licensed under s. 48.65 (1) or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14), and a county department or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2), whenever it inspects a child care provider that is certified under s. 48.651, to inspect the child safety alarm of each child care vehicle that is used to transport children to and from the child care provider to determine whether the child safety alarm is in good working order.

SB317,142 Section 142. 48.685 (4m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,64,6 48.685 (4m) (a) (intro.) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, and except as provided in par. (ad) and sub. (5), the department may not license, or continue or renew the license of, a person to operate an entity, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may not certify a child care provider under s. 48.651, a county department or a child welfare agency may not license, or renew the license of, a foster home under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more or a county department may not provide subsidized guardianship payments to an interim caretaker under s. 48.623 (6), and a school board may not contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), if the department, county department, contracted agency, child welfare agency, or school board knows or should have known any of the following:

SB317,143 Section 143. 48.685 (4m) (ad) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,64,18 48.685 (4m) (ad) The department, a county department, or a child welfare agency may license a foster home under s. 48.62; the department may license a child care center under s. 48.65; the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may certify a child care provider under s. 48.651;the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more or a county department may provide subsidized guardianship payments to an interim caretaker under s. 48.623 (6); and a school board may contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), conditioned on the receipt of the information specified in sub. (2) (am) and (ar) indicating that the person is not ineligible to be licensed, certified, provided payments, or contracted with for a reason specified in par. (a) 1. to 5.

SB317,144 Section 144. 48.685 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,65,12 48.685 (5) (a) Subject to pars. (bm) and (br), the department may license to operate an entity, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may certify under s. 48.651, a county department or a child welfare agency may license under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more or a county department may provide subsidized guardianship payments under s. 48.623 (6), 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 or permit to reside with a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. am. of the entity a person who otherwise may not be employed, provided payments, contracted with, or permitted to reside at the entity or with that caregiver for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (b) 1. to 5., if the person demonstrates to the department, the county department, the contracted agency, the child welfare agency, 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 Indian 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 has been rehabilitated.

SB317,145 Section 145. 48.685 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,66,10 48.685 (5m) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, the department may refuse to license a person to operate an entity, a county department or a child welfare agency may refuse to license a foster home under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more or a county department may refuse to provide subsidized guardianship payments to a person under s. 48.623 (6), and an entity may refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or permit a nonclient resident to reside at the entity or with a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. am. of 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, 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 child care center, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may refuse to certify a child care provider under s. 48.651, a school board may refuse to contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), and a child care center that is licensed under s. 48.65 or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14) or a child 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 child care center or child 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, contracted agency, school board, child care center, or child care provider, substantially related to the care of a client.

SB317,146 Section 146. 48.685 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,66,24 48.685 (6) (a) The department shall require any person who applies for issuance, continuation, or renewal of a license to operate an entity, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) shall require any child care provider who applies for initial certification under s. 48.651 or for renewal of that certification, a county department or a child welfare agency shall require any person who applies for issuance or renewal of a license to operate a foster home under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more or a county department shall require any person who applies for subsidized guardianship payments under s. 48.623 (6), 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.

SB317,147 Section 147. 48.75 (1b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,67,3 48.75 (1b) In this section, "public licensing agency" means a county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department.

SB317,148 Section 148. 48.75 (1g) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,67,7 48.75 (1g) (a) 4. The county of the public licensing agency issuing the license has a population of 500,000 750,000 or more and the placement is for adoption under s. 48.833 (1), 48.835, or 48.837.

SB317,149 Section 149. 48.831 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,67,13 48.831 (4) (c) If the court finds that adoption is not in the child's best interest, the court shall order that the child be placed in the guardianship of the department and place the child in the custody of a county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department or an agency under contract with the department.

SB317,150 Section 150. 48.839 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,67,17 48.839 (4) (b) Shall transfer legal custody of the child to the department, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, to a county department or to a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.60.

SB317,151 Section 151. 48.88 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,68,9 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, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, or a county department or, with the consent of the department in a county having a population of less than 500,000 750,000 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 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 in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 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 500,000 750,000 or a licensed child welfare agency to make the investigation if the department or child welfare agency consents.

SB317,152 Section 152. 48.981 (1) (ag) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB317,68,15 48.981 (1) (ag) "Agency" means a county department, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with a county department or the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more to perform investigations under this section.