2001 Wisconsin Act 69

69,14 Section 14. 48.371 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.371 (3) (intro.) At the time of placement of a child in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home or child caring institution or, if the information is not available at that time, as soon as possible after the date on which the court report or permanency plan has been submitted, but no later than 7 days after that date, the agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), responsible for preparing the child's permanency plan shall provide to the foster parent, treatment foster parent or operator of the group home or child caring institution information contained in the court report submitted under s. 48.33 (1), 48.365 (2g), 48.425 (1), 48.831 (2) or 48.837 (4) (c) or permanency plan submitted under s. 48.355 (2e), 48.38, 48.43 (1) (c) or (5) (c), 48.63 (4) or (5) (c) or 48.831 (4) (e) relating to findings or opinions of the court or agency that prepared the court report or permanency plan relating to any of the following:

69,15 Section 15. 48.38 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.38 (2) (d) The child was placed under a voluntary agreement between the agency and the child's parent under s. 48.63 (1) or (5) (b).

69,16 Section 16. 48.38 (2) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

48.38 (2) (g) The child's parent is placed in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home, child-caring institution, secure detention facility, or shelter care facility and the child is residing with that parent.

69,17 Section 17. 48.38 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.38 (5) (a) The Except as provided in s. 48.63 (5) (d), the court or a panel appointed under this paragraph shall review the permanency plan every 6 months from the date on which the child was first held in physical custody or placed outside of his or her home. If the court elects not to review the permanency plan, the court shall appoint a panel to review the permanency plan. The panel shall consist of 3 persons who are either designated by an independent agency that has been approved by the chief judge of the judicial administrative district or designated by the agency that prepared the permanency plan. A voting majority of persons on each panel shall be persons who are not employed by the agency that prepared the permanency plan and who are not responsible for providing services to the child or the parents of the child whose permanency plan is the subject of the review.

69,18 Section 18. 48.48 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.48 (3) To accept guardianship of children when appointed by the court, and to provide special treatment and or care when directed by the court. A court may not direct the department to administer psychotropic medications to children who receive special treatment or care under this subsection.

69,19 Section 19. 48.48 (7) of the statutes is repealed.

69,20 Section 20. 48.57 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (1) (b) To accept legal custody of children transferred to it by the court under s. 48.355, to accept supervision over expectant mothers of unborn children who are placed under its supervision under s. 48.355 and to provide special treatment and or care for children and expectant mothers if ordered by the court. A court may not order a county department to administer psychotropic medications to children and expectant mothers who receive special treatment or care under this paragraph.

69,21 Section 21. 48.57 (3n) (am) 6. c. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3n) (am) 6. c. The date on which the child is placed outside the long-term kinship care relative's home under a court order or under a voluntary agreement under s. 48.63 (1) or (5) (b).

69,22 Section 22. 48.60 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.60 (2) (d) A hospital, maternity hospital, maternity home or nursing home licensed, approved or supervised by the department.

69,23 Section 23. 48.619 of the statutes is created to read:

48.619 Definition. In this subchapter, "child" means a person under 18 years of age and also includes, for purposes of counting the number of children for whom a foster home, treatment foster home, or group home may provide care and maintenance, a person 18 years of age or over, but under 19 years of age, who is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent, who is reasonably expected to complete the program before reaching 19 years of age, who was residing in the foster home, treatment foster home, or group home immediately prior to his or her 18th birthday, and who continues to reside in that foster home, treatment foster home, or group home.

69,24 Section 24. 48.62 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.62 (3) When the department, a county department or a child welfare agency issues a license to operate a foster home or a treatment foster home, the department, county department or child welfare agency shall notify the clerk of the school district in which the foster home or treatment foster home is located that a foster home or treatment foster home has been licensed in the school district.

69,25 Section 25. 48.625 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.625 (1) Any person who receives, with or without transfer of legal custody, 5 to 8 children, not including children who under sub. (1m) are not counted toward that number, to provide care and maintenance for those children shall obtain a license to operate a group home from the department. To obtain a license under this subsection to operate a group home, a person must meet the minimum requirements for a license established by the department under s. 48.67, meet the requirements specified in s. 48.685 and pay the license fee under sub. (2). A license issued under this subsection is valid until revoked or suspended, but shall be reviewed every 2 years as provided in s. 48.66 (5).

69,26 Section 26. 48.625 (1m) of the statutes is created to read:

48.625 (1m) The department may issue a license under sub. (1) authorizing a group home solely to provide a safe and structured living arrangement for children 12 years of age or over who are custodial parents, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (b), or expectant mothers and who are placed in the group home under s. 48.345 (3) (cm) or 938.34 (3) (cm) and for children 14 years of age or over who are custodial parents, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (b), or expectant mothers and who are placed in the group home under voluntary agreements under s. 48.63 (5), and to provide those children with training in parenting skills, including child development, family budgeting, health and nutrition, and other skills to promote the long-term economic independence of those children and the well-being of the children of those children. In licensing a group home described in this subsection, the department may not count toward the number of children whom the group home is licensed to serve the child of a child who is placed in the group home. The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for a group home described in this subsection. Those rules shall require such a group home to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the child of any child custodial parent who has been placed in that group home and to have a policy governing visitation between such a child and the child's noncustodial parent.

69,27 Section 27. 48.625 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.625 (3) This section does not apply to a foster home licensed under s. 48.62 (1) (a) in which care and maintenance is provided for more than 4 siblings or to a treatment foster home licensed under s. 48.62 (1) (b).

69,28 Section 28. 48.63 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.63 (1) Acting pursuant to court order or voluntary agreement, the child's parent or guardian or the department of health and family services, the department of corrections, a county department or a child welfare agency licensed to place children in foster homes or, treatment foster homes or group homes may place a child or negotiate or act as intermediary for the placement of a child in a foster home, treatment foster home or group home. Voluntary agreements under this subsection may not be used for placements in facilities other than foster, treatment foster or group homes and may not be extended. A foster home or treatment foster home placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 6 months. A group home placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 15 days, except as provided in sub. (5). These time limitations do not apply to placements made under s. 48.345, 938.183, 938.34 or 938.345. Voluntary agreements may be made only under this subsection and sub. (5) (b) and shall be in writing and shall specifically state that the agreement may be terminated at any time by the parent or guardian or by the child if the child's consent to the agreement is required. The child's consent to the agreement is required whenever the child is 12 years of age or older.

69,29 Section 29. 48.63 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

48.63 (5) (a) Subsection (1) does not apply to the voluntary placement under par. (b) of a child in a group home described in s. 48. 625 (1m). Such placements may be made only as provided in par. (b).

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

(c) A permanency plan under s. 48.38 is required for each child placed in a group home under par. (b) and for any child of that child who is residing with that child. The agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child shall prepare the plan within 60 days after the placement and shall provide a copy of the plan to the child and the child's parent or guardian.

(d) 1. In this paragraph, "independent reviewing agency" means a person contracted with under subd. 2. to review permanency plans and placements under subds. 3. to 6.

2. An agency that places children under par. (b) or that arranges those placements shall contract with another agency licensed under s. 48.61 (3) to place children or with a county department to review the permanency plans and placements of those children and of any children of those children who are residing with those children as provided in subds. 3. to 6.

3. If the agency that has placed a child under par. (b) or that has arranged the placement of the child wishes to extend the placement of the child, the agency shall prepare a revised permanency plan for that child and for any child of that child who is residing with that child and submit the revised permanency plan or plans, together with a request for a review of the revised permanency plan or plans and the child's placement, to the independent reviewing agency before the expiration of the child's placement. The request shall include a statement that an extension of the child's placement would be in the best interests of the child, together with reliable and credible information in support of that statement, a statement that the child and the parent or guardian of the child consent to the extension of the child's placement, and a request that the independent reviewing agency approve an extension of the child's placement. On receipt of a revised permanency plan or plans and a request for review, the independent reviewing agency shall set a time and place for the review and shall advise the agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child of the time and place of the review.

4. Not less than 10 days before the review, the agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child shall provide a copy of the revised permanency plan or plans and the request for review submitted under subd. 3. and notice of the time and place of the review to the child, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the child, and the operator of the group home in which the child is placed, together with notice of the issues to be determined as part of the permanency plan review and notice of the fact that those persons may have the opportunity to be heard at the review by submitting written comments to that agency or the independent reviewing agency before the review or by participating at the review.

5. At the review, any person specified in subd. 4. may present information relevant to the issue of extension and information relevant to the determinations specified in s. 48.38 (5) (c). After receiving that information, the independent reviewing agency shall make the determinations specified in s. 48.38 (5) (c) and determine whether an extension of the child's placement is in the best interests of the child and whether the child and the parent or guardian of the child consent to the extension. If the independent reviewing agency determines that the extension is in the best interests of the child and that the child and the parent or guardian of the child consent to the extension, the independent reviewing agency shall approve, in writing, an extension of the placement for a specified period of time not to exceed 6 months, stating the reason for the approval, and the agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child may extend the child's placement for the period of time approved. If the independent reviewing agency determines that the extension is not in the best interests of the child or that the child and the parent or guardian of the child do not consent to the extension, the independent reviewing agency shall, in writing, disapprove an extension of the placement, stating the reason for the disapproval, and the agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child may not extend the placement of the child past the expiration date of the voluntary placement unless the agency obtains a court order placing the child in the group home after the expiration date of the voluntary placement. Notwithstanding the approval of an extension under this subdivision, the child or the parent or guardian of the child may terminate the placement at any time during the extension period.

6. Within 30 days after the review, the agency that prepared the revised permanency plan or plans shall prepare a written summary of the determinations specified in s. 48.38 (5) (c) that were made under subd. 5. and shall provide a copy of that summary to the independent reviewing agency, the child, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the child, and the operator of the group home in which the child was placed.

69,30 Section 30. 48.64 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.64 (1) Definition. In this section, "agency" means the department of health and family services, the department of corrections, a county department or a licensed child welfare agency authorized to place children in foster homes or, treatment foster homes, or group homes.

69,31 Section 31. 48.64 (1r) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.64 (1r) Notification of school district. When an agency places a school-age child in a foster home, a treatment foster home or a group home, the agency shall notify the clerk of the school district in which the foster home, treatment foster home or group home is located that a school-age child has been placed in a foster home, treatment foster home or group home in the school district.

69,32 Section 32. 48.78 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.78 (1) In this section, unless otherwise qualified, "agency" means the department, a county department, a licensed child welfare agency, or a licensed day care center or a licensed maternity hospital.

69,33 Section 33. 48.981 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.981 (2) Persons required to report. A physician, coroner, medical examiner, nurse, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, acupuncturist, other medical or mental health professional, social worker, marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, public assistance worker, including a financial and employment planner, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (d), school teacher, administrator or counselor, mediator under s. 767.11, child care worker in a day care center, group home, as described in s. 48.625 (1m), or child caring institution, day care provider, alcohol or other drug abuse counselor, member of the treatment staff employed by or working under contract with a county department under s. 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, emergency medical technician, first responder or police or law enforcement officer having reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen in the course of professional duties has been abused or neglected or having reason to believe that a child seen in the course of professional duties has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur shall, except as provided under sub. (2m), report as provided in sub. (3). A court-appointed special advocate having reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen in the course of the court-appointed special advocate's activities under s. 48.236 (3) has been abused or neglected or having reason to believe that a child seen in the course of those activities has been threatened with abuse and neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur shall, except as provided in sub. (2m), report as provided in sub. (3). Any other person, including an attorney, having reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected or reason to believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur may make such a report. Any person, including an attorney having reason to suspect that an unborn child has been abused or reason to believe that an unborn child is at substantial risk of abuse may report as provided in sub. (3). No person making a report under this subsection may be discharged from employment for so doing.

69,35 Section 35. 146.82 (2) (a) 18m. of the statutes is amended to read:

146.82 (2) (a) 18m. If the subject of the patient health care records is a child or juvenile who has been placed in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home, child caring institution or a secured correctional facility, including a placement under s. 48.205, 48.21, 938.205 or 938.21 or for whom placement in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility is recommended under s. 48.33 (4), 48.425 (1) (g), 48.837 (4) (c) or 938.33 (3) or (4), to an agency directed by a court to prepare a court report under s. 48.33 (1), 48.424 (4) (b), 48.425 (3), 48.831 (2), 48.837 (4) (c) or 938.33 (1), to an agency responsible for preparing a court report under s. 48.365 (2g), 48.425 (1), 48.831 (2), 48.837 (4) (c) or 938.365 (2g), to an agency responsible for preparing a permanency plan under s. 48.355 (2e), 48.38, 48.43 (1) (c) or (5) (c), 48.63 (4) or (5) (c), 48.831 (4) (e), 938.355 (2e) or 938.38 regarding the child or juvenile or to an agency that placed the child or juvenile or arranged for the placement of the child or juvenile in any of those placements and, by any of those agencies, to any other of those agencies and, by the agency that placed the child or juvenile or arranged for the placement of the child or juvenile in any of those placements, to the foster parent or treatment foster parent of the child or juvenile or the operator of the group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility in which the child or juvenile is placed, as provided in s. 48.371 or 938.371.

69,36 Section 36. 252.15 (5) (a) 19. of the statutes is amended to read:

252.15 (5) (a) 19. If the test was administered to a child who has been placed in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (15m), including a placement under s. 48.205, 48.21, 938.205 or 938.21 or for whom placement in a foster home, treatment foster home, group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility is recommended under s. 48.33 (4), 48.425 (1) (g), 48.837 (4) (c) or 938.33 (3) or (4), to an agency directed by a court to prepare a court report under s. 48.33 (1), 48.424 (4) (b), 48.425 (3), 48.831 (2), 48.837 (4) (c) or 938.33 (1), to an agency responsible for preparing a court report under s. 48.365 (2g), 48.425 (1), 48.831 (2), 48.837 (4) (c) or 938.365 (2g), to an agency responsible for preparing a permanency plan under s. 48.355 (2e), 48.38, 48.43 (1) (c) or (5) (c), 48.63 (4) or (5) (c), 48.831 (4) (e), 938.355 (2e) or 938.38 regarding the child or to an agency that placed the child or arranged for the placement of the child in any of those placements and, by any of those agencies, to any other of those agencies and, by the agency that placed the child or arranged for the placement of the child in any of those placements, to the child's foster parent or treatment foster parent or the operator of the group home, child caring institution or secured correctional facility in which the child is placed, as provided in s. 48.371 or 938.371.

69,37 Section 37. 938.34 (3) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:

938.34 (3) (cm) A group home described in s. 48.625 (1m) if the juvenile is at least 12 years of age, is a custodial parent, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (b), or an expectant mother, is receiving inadequate care, and is in need of a safe and structured living arrangement.

69,38 Section 38. 938.355 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.355 (1) Intent. In any order under s. 938.34 or 938.345, the court shall decide on a placement and treatment finding based on evidence submitted to the court. The disposition shall employ those means necessary to promote the objectives specified in s. 938.01. If the disposition places a juvenile who has been adjudicated delinquent outside the home under s. 938.34 (3) (c), (cm) or (d), the order shall include a finding that the juvenile's current residence will not safeguard the welfare of the juvenile or the community due to the serious nature of the act for which the juvenile was adjudicated delinquent. If the judge has determined that any of the conditions specified in s. 938.34 (4m) (b) 1., 2. or 3. applies, that determination shall be prima facie evidence that a less restrictive alternative than placement in a secured correctional facility, a secured child caring institution or a secured group home is not appropriate. If information under s. 938.331 has been provided in a court report under s. 938.33 (1), the court shall consider that information when deciding on a placement and treatment finding.

69,39 Section 39. 938.38 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.38 (2) (d) The juvenile was placed under a voluntary agreement between the agency and the juvenile's parent under s. 48.63 (1) or (5) (b).

69,40 Section 40. 938.38 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

938.38 (5) Plan review. (a) The Except as provided in s. 48.63 (5) (d), the court or a panel appointed under this paragraph shall review the permanency plan every 6 months from the date on which the juvenile was first held in physical custody or placed outside of his or her home. If the court elects not to review the permanency plan, the court shall appoint a panel to review the permanency plan. The panel shall consist of 3 persons who are either designated by an independent agency that has been approved by the chief judge of the judicial administrative district or designated by the agency that prepared the permanency plan. A voting majority of persons on each panel shall be persons who are not employed by the agency that prepared the permanency plan and who are not responsible for providing services to the juvenile or the parents of the juvenile whose permanency plan is the subject of the review.

69,9258 Section 9258. Appropriation changes; workforce development.

(1) Second-chance homes.

(b) In the schedule under section 20.005 (3) of the statutes for the appropriation to the department of workforce development under section 20.445 (3) (dz) of the statutes, as affected by the acts of 2001, the dollar amount is decreased by $0 for fiscal year 2002-03 to decrease funding for the purposes for which the appropriation is made.

(c) In the schedule under section 20.005 (3) of the statutes for the appropriation to the department of workforce development under section 20.445 (3) (md) of the statutes, as affected by the acts of 2001, the dollar amount is increased by $0 for fiscal year 2002-03 to increase funding for the purpose of transferring moneys to the department of health and family services for 2nd-chance home grants under section 46.997 (2) (a) of the statutes, as created by this act, and for an evaluation of the grant program under section 46.997 (4) of the statutes.