1997 Wisconsin Act 292

(b) If a petition under s. 48.133 is contested, no expectant mother may be placed outside of her home unless the expectant mother is represented by counsel at the fact-finding hearing and subsequent proceedings. If the petition is not contested, the expectant mother may not be placed outside of her home unless the expectant mother is represented by counsel at the hearing at which the placement is made. An adult expectant mother, however, may waive counsel if the court is satisfied that the waiver is knowingly and voluntarily made and the court may place the adult expectant mother outside of her home even though the adult expectant mother was not represented by counsel.

(c) For an expectant mother under 12 years of age, the judge may appoint a guardian ad litem instead of counsel.

292,79 Section 79 . 48.23 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.23 (4) Providing counsel. In any situation under this section in which a person has a right to be represented by counsel or is provided counsel at the discretion of the court and counsel is not knowingly and voluntarily waived, the court shall refer the person to the state public defender and counsel shall be appointed by the state public defender under s. 977.08 without a determination of indigency. If the referral is of a person who has filed a petition under s. 48.375 (7), the state public defender shall appoint counsel within 24 hours after that referral. Any counsel appointed in a petition filed under s. 48.375 (7) shall continue to represent the child in any appeal brought under s. 809.105 unless the child requests substitution of counsel or extenuating circumstances make it impossible for counsel to continue to represent the child. In any situation under sub. (2) or (2m) in which a parent 18 years of age or older over or an adult expectant mother is entitled to representation by counsel; counsel is not knowingly and voluntarily waived; and it appears that the parent or adult expectant mother is unable to afford counsel in full, or the parent or adult expectant mother so indicates; the court shall refer the parent or adult expectant mother to the authority for indigency determinations specified under s. 977.07 (1). In any other situation under this section in which a person has a right to be represented by counsel or is provided counsel at the discretion of the court, competent and independent counsel shall be provided and reimbursed in any manner suitable to the court regardless of the person's ability to pay, except that the court may not order a person who files a petition under s. 813.122 or 813.125 to reimburse counsel for the child who is named as the respondent in that petition.

292,80 Section 80. 48.235 (1) (f) of the statutes is created to read:

48.235 (1) (f) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, or extend the appointment of a guardian ad litem previously appointed under par. (a), for any unborn child alleged or found to be in need of protection or services.

292,81 Section 81 . 48.235 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.235 (3) Duties and responsibilities. (a) The guardian ad litem shall be an advocate for the best interests of the person or unborn child for whom the appointment is made. The guardian ad litem shall function independently, in the same manner as an attorney for a party to the action, and shall consider, but shall not be bound by, the wishes of such that person or the positions of others as to the best interests of such that person or unborn child. If the guardian ad litem determines that the best interests of the person are substantially inconsistent with the wishes of such that person, the guardian ad litem shall so inform the court and the court may appoint counsel to represent that person. The guardian ad litem has none of the rights or duties of a general guardian.

(b) In addition to any other duties and responsibilities required of a guardian ad litem, a guardian ad litem appointed for a child who is the subject of a proceeding under s. 48.13 or for an unborn child who is the subject of a proceeding under s. 48.133 shall do all of the following:

1. Unless granted leave by the court not to do so, personally, or through a trained designee, meet with the child or expectant mother of the unborn child, assess the appropriateness and safety of the child's environment of the child or unborn child and, if the child is old enough to communicate, interview the child and determine the child's goals and concerns regarding his or her placement.

2. Make clear and specific recommendations to the court concerning the best interest of the child or unborn child at every stage of the proceeding.

292,82 Section 82 . 48.235 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

48.235 (4m) Matters involving unborn child in need of protection or services. (a) In any matter involving an unborn child found to be in need of protection or services, the guardian ad litem may, if reappointed or if the appointment is continued under sub. (7), do any of the following:

1. Participate in permanency planning under ss. 48.38 and 48.43 (5) after the child is born.

2. Petition for a change in placement under s. 48.357.

3. Petition for termination of parental rights or any other matter specified under s. 48.14 after the child is born.

3m. Petition for a commitment of the expectant mother of the unborn child under ch. 51 as specified in s. 48.14 (5).

4. Petition for revision of dispositional orders under s. 48.363.

5. Petition for extension of dispositional orders under s. 48.365.

6. Petition for a temporary restraining order and injunction under s. 813.122 or 813.125 after the child is born.

7. Petition for relief from a judgment terminating parental rights under s. 48.46 after the child is born.

7g. Petition for the appointment of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), the revision of a guardianship order under s. 48.977 (6) or the removal of a guardian under s. 48.977 (7) after the child is born.

7m. Bring an action or motion for the determination of the child's paternity under s. 767.45 after the child is born.

8. Perform any other duties consistent with this chapter.

(b) The court shall order the agency identified under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 1. as primarily responsible for the provision of services to notify the guardian ad litem, if any, regarding actions to be taken under par. (a).

292,83 Section 83 . 48.235 (6) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.235 (6) Communication to a jury. In jury trials under this chapter, the guardian ad litem or the court may tell the jury that the guardian ad litem represents the interests of the person or unborn child for whom the guardian ad litem was appointed.

292,84 Section 84 . 48.24 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.24 (1) Information indicating that a child or an unborn child should be referred to the court as in need of protection or services shall be referred to the intake worker, who shall conduct an intake inquiry on behalf of the court to determine whether the available facts establish prima facie jurisdiction and to determine the best interests of the child or unborn child and of the public with regard to any action to be taken.

292,85 Section 85 . 48.24 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.24 (1m) As part of the intake inquiry, the intake worker shall inform the child and the child's parent, guardian and legal custodian that they, or the adult expectant mother of an unborn child that she, may request counseling from a person designated by the court to provide dispositional services under s. 48.069.

292,86 Section 86 . 48.24 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.24 (2) (a) As part of the intake inquiry the intake worker may conduct multidisciplinary screens and intake conferences with notice to the child, parent, guardian and legal custodian or to the adult expectant mother of the unborn child. If sub. (2m) applies, the intake worker shall conduct a multidisciplinary screen under s. 48.547 if the child or expectant mother has not refused to participate under par. (b).

292,87 Section 87 . 48.24 (2m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.24 (2m) (a) (intro.) In counties that have a pilot an alcohol and other drug abuse program under s. 48.547, a multidisciplinary screen shall be conducted for:

292,88 Section 88 . 48.24 (2m) (a) 6. of the statutes is created to read:

48.24 (2m) (a) 6. Any expectant mother 12 years of age or over who requests and consents to a multidisciplinary screen.

292,89 Section 89 . 48.24 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.24 (3) If the intake worker determines as a result of the intake inquiry that the child or unborn child should be referred to the court, the intake worker shall request that the district attorney, corporation counsel or other official specified in s. 48.09 file a petition.

292,90 Section 90 . 48.24 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.24 (5) The intake worker shall request that a petition be filed, enter into an informal disposition or close the case within 40 days or sooner of receipt of referral information. If the case is closed or an informal disposition is entered into, the district attorney, corporation counsel or other official under s. 48.09 shall receive written notice of such action. If a law enforcement officer has made a recommendation concerning the child, or the unborn child and the expectant mother of the unborn child, the intake worker shall forward this recommendation to the district attorney, corporation counsel or other official under s. 48.09. With respect to petitioning a child or unborn child to be in need of protection or services, information received more than 40 days before filing the petition may be included to establish a condition or pattern which, together with information received within the 40-day period, provides a basis for conferring jurisdiction on the court. The judge shall dismiss with prejudice any such petition which is not referred or filed within the time limits specified within this subsection.

292,91 Section 91 . 48.243 (1) (intro.), (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of the statutes are amended to read:

48.243 (1) (intro.)  Before conferring with the parent, expectant mother or child during the intake inquiry, the intake worker shall personally inform parents, expectant mothers and children 12 years of age or older who are the focus of an inquiry regarding the need for protection or services that the referral may result in a petition to the court and of all of the following:

(a) What allegations could be in the petition;.

(b) The nature and possible consequences of the proceedings;.

(c) The right to remain silent and the fact that silence of any party may be relevant;.

(d) The right to confront and cross-examine those appearing against them;.

(e) The right of the child to counsel under s. 48.23;.

(f) The right to present and subpoena witnesses; .

(g) The right to a jury trial; and.

292,92m Section 92m. 48.243 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 35, is amended to read:

48.243 (4) This section does not apply if the child or expectant mother was present at a hearing under s. 48.21 or 48.213.

292,93 Section 93 . 48.243 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.243 (3) If the child or expectant mother has not had a hearing under s. 48.21 or 48.213 and was not present at an intake conference under s. 48.24, the intake worker shall inform the child, parent, guardian and legal custodian, or expectant mother, as appropriate of, of the basic rights provided under this section. This The notice shall be given verbally, either in person or by telephone, and in writing. This notice shall be given so as to allow the child, parent, guardian or, legal custodian or adult expectant mother sufficient time to prepare for the plea hearing. This subsection does not apply to cases of informal disposition under s. 48.245.

292,94 Section 94 . 48.245 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (1) The intake worker may enter into a written agreement with all parties which imposes informal disposition under this section if the intake worker has determined that neither the interests of the child or unborn child nor of the public require filing of a petition for circumstances relating to ss. 48.13 to 48.14. Informal disposition shall be available only if the facts persuade the intake worker that the jurisdiction of the court, if sought, would exist and upon consent of the child, parent, guardian and legal custodian; or upon consent of the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian and legal custodian and the unborn child, by the unborn child's guardian ad litem; or upon consent of the adult expectant mother and the unborn child, by the unborn child's guardian ad litem.

292,95 Section 95 . 48.245 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (2) (a) 1. That the child appear with a parent, guardian or legal custodian for counseling and advice or that the adult expectant mother appear for counseling and advice.

292,96 Section 96 . 48.245 (2) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (2) (a) 2. That the child and a parent, guardian and legal custodian abide by such obligations as will tend to ensure the child's rehabilitation, protection or care of the child or that the expectant mother abide by such obligations as will tend to ensure the protection or care of the unborn child and the rehabilitation of the expectant mother.

292,97 Section 97. 48.245 (2) (a) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (2) (a) 3. That the child or expectant mother submit to an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment that conforms to the criteria specified under s. 48.547 (4) and that is conducted by an approved treatment facility for an examination of the child's use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs by the child or expectant mother and any medical, personal, family or social effects caused by its use, if the multidisciplinary screen conducted under s. 48.24 (2) shows that the child or expectant mother is at risk of having needs and problems related to the use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs and its medical, personal, family or social effects.

292,98 Section 98 . 48.245 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (2) (a) 4. That the child or expectant mother participate in an alcohol and other drug abuse outpatient treatment program or an education program relating to the abuse of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs, if an alcohol and other drug abuse assessment conducted under subd. 3. recommends outpatient treatment or education.

292,99 Section 99 . 48.245 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (2) (c) If the informal disposition provides for alcohol and other drug abuse outpatient treatment under par. (a) 4., the child and the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian, or the adult expectant mother, shall execute an informed consent form that indicates that they are, or that she is, voluntarily and knowingly entering into an informal disposition agreement for the provision of alcohol and other drug abuse outpatient treatment.

292,100 Section 100 . 48.245 (2r) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (2r) If an informal disposition is based on allegations that a child or an unborn child is in need of protection or services, the intake worker may, after giving written notice to the child and the child's parent, guardian and legal custodian and their counsel, if any, or after giving written notice to the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian and legal custodian and their counsel, if any, and the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or after giving written notice to the adult expectant mother, her counsel, if any, and the unborn child, by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, extend the informal disposition for up to an additional 6 months unless the child or the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian, the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian or legal custodian or the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or the adult expectant mother or the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, objects to the extension. If the child or the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian, the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian or legal custodian or the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or the adult expectant mother or the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, objects to the extension, the intake worker may recommend to the district attorney or corporation counsel that a petition be filed under s. 48.13 or 48.133. An extension under this subsection may be granted only once for any informal disposition. An extension under this subsection of an informal disposition relating to an unborn child who is alleged to be in need of protection or services may be granted after the child is born.

292,101 Section 101 . 48.245 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (3) The obligations imposed under an informal disposition and its effective date shall be set forth in writing. The child and a parent, guardian and legal custodian, the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian and legal custodian and the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or the adult expectant mother and the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, shall receive a copy, as shall any agency providing services under the agreement.

292,102m Section 102m. 48.245 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 1997 Wisconsin Act 80, is amended to read:

48.245 (4) The intake worker shall inform the child and the child's parent, guardian and legal custodian, the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian and legal custodian and the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or the adult expectant mother and the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, in writing of their right to terminate the informal disposition at any time or object at any time to the fact or terms of the informal disposition. If an objection arises the intake worker may alter the terms of the agreement or request the district attorney or corporation counsel to file a petition. If the informal disposition is terminated the intake worker may request the district attorney or corporation counsel to file a petition.

292,103 Section 103 . 48.245 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (5) Informal disposition shall be terminated upon the request of the child, parent, guardian or legal custodian, upon request of the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian or legal custodian or the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or upon the request of the adult expectant mother or the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem.

292,104 Section 104 . 48.245 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.245 (8) If the obligations imposed under the informal disposition are met, the intake worker shall so inform the child and a parent, guardian and legal custodian, the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian and legal custodian and the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, or the adult expectant mother and the unborn child by the unborn child's guardian ad litem, in writing, and no petition may be filed on the charges that brought about the informal disposition nor may the charges be the sole basis for a petition under ss. 48.13 to 48.14.

292,105 Section 105 . 48.25 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.25 (1) A petition initiating proceedings under this chapter shall be signed by a person who has knowledge of the facts alleged or is informed of them and believes them to be true. The district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official specified under s. 48.09 may file the petition if the proceeding is under s. 48.13 or 48.133. The counsel or guardian ad litem for a parent, relative, guardian or child may file a petition under s. 48.13 or 48.14. The counsel or guardian ad litem for an expectant mother or the guardian ad litem for an unborn child may file a petition under s. 48.133. The district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate person designated by the court may initiate proceedings under s. 48.14 in a manner specified by the court.

292,106 Section 106 . 48.25 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.25 (2) If the proceeding is brought under s. 48.13 or 48.133, the district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official shall file the petition, close the case, or refer the case back to intake within 20 days after the date that the intake worker's recommendation was filed. A referral back to intake may be made only when the district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official decides not to file a petition or determines that further investigation is necessary. If the case is referred back to intake upon a decision not to file a petition, the intake worker shall close the case or enter into an informal disposition within 20 days. If the case is referred back to intake for further investigation, the appropriate agency or person shall complete the investigation within 20 days. If another referral is made to the district attorney, corporation counsel or other appropriate official, it shall be considered a new referral to which the time limits of this subsection shall apply. The time limits in this subsection may only be extended by a judge upon a showing of good cause under s. 48.315. If a petition is not filed within the time limitations set forth in this subsection and the court has not granted an extension, the petition shall be accompanied by a statement of reasons for the delay. The court shall dismiss with prejudice a petition which was not timely filed unless the court finds at the plea hearing that good cause has been shown for failure to meet the time limitations.

292,107 Section 107 . 48.255 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.255 (1) (intro.)  A petition initiating proceedings under this chapter, other than a petition under s. 48.133, shall be entitled, “In the interest of (child's name), a person under the age of 18'' and shall set forth with specificity:

292,108 Section 108 . 48.255 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

48.255 (1m) A petition initiating proceedings under s. 48.133 shall be entitled “In the interest of (J. Doe), an unborn child, and (expectant mother's name), the unborn child's expectant mother" and shall set forth with specificity:

(a) The estimated gestational age of the unborn child.

(b) The name, birth date and address of the expectant mother.

(bm) The names and addresses of the parent, guardian, legal custodian or spouse, if any, of the expectant mother, if the expectant mother is a child, the name and address of the spouse, if any, of the expectant mother, if the expectant mother is an adult, or, if no such person can be identified, the name and address of the nearest relative of the expectant mother.

(c) Whether the expectant mother is in custody and, if so, the place where the expectant mother is being held and the time when the expectant mother was taken into custody unless there is reasonable cause to believe that disclosure of that information would result in imminent danger to the unborn child, expectant mother or physical custodian.

(d) Whether the unborn child, when born, may be subject to the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1911 to 1963.