48.57 (3p) (g) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (h), the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department of health and family services 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:
20,1313
Section
1313. 48.57 (3p) (g) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
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 or more, the department of health and family services 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, 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, 944.31, or 944.33 if committed in this state, if that violation occurred 20 years or more before the date of the investigation.
20,1314
Section
1314. 48.57 (3p) (h) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
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 or more, with the person designated by the secretary of health and family services to receive requests for review filed under this subdivision. If the governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band 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.
20,1315
Section
1315. 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.) The director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary of health and family services 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 federally recognized American Indian tribe or band or the person designated by the secretary of health and family services shall consider, but not be limited to, all of the following factors:
20,1316
Section
1316. 48.57 (3p) (h) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.57 (3p) (h) 4. If the director of the county department, the person designated by the governing body of the federally recognized American Indian tribe or band or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the person designated by the secretary of health and family services 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 federally recognized American Indian tribe or band, or the person designated by the secretary of health and family services 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.
20,1317
Section
1317. 48.57 (3p) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.57 (3p) (i) A county department and, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department of health and family services 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.
20,1318
Section
1318. 48.57 (3p) (j) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.57 (3p) (j) A county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department of health and family services may charge a fee for conducting a background investigation under this subsection. The fee may not exceed the reasonable cost of conducting the investigation.
20,1319
Section
1319. 48.576 of the statutes is created to read:
48.576 Shelter care facilities; general supervision and inspection by department. (1) Generally. The department shall investigate and supervise all shelter care facilities and familiarize itself with all the circumstances affecting their management and usefulness.
(2) Inspections. The department shall inquire into the methods of treatment, instruction, government, and management of children placed in shelter care facilities; the conduct of the trustees, managers, directors, superintendents, and other officers and employees of those facilities; the condition of the buildings, grounds, and all other property pertaining to those facilities; and all other matters pertaining to the usefulness and management of those facilities; and recommend to the officers in charge such changes and additional provisions as the department considers proper.
(3) Frequency of inspections. The department shall inspect and investigate each shelter care facility at least annually and, when directed by the governor, the department shall conduct a special investigation into a shelter care facility's management, or anything connected with its management, and report to the governor the testimony taken, the facts found, and conclusions drawn.
(4) Enforcement by attorney general and district attorneys. Upon request of the department, the attorney general or the district attorney of the proper county shall aid in any investigation, inspection, hearing, or trial had under the provisions of this chapter relating to powers of the department, and shall institute and prosecute all necessary actions or proceedings for the enforcement of those provisions and for the punishment of violations of those provisions. The attorney general or district attorney so requested shall report or confer with the department regarding the request, within 30 days after the receipt of the request.
(5) Opportunity to inspect. All trustees, managers, directors, superintendents, and other officers or employees of a shelter care facility shall at all times afford to every member of the department and its agents unrestrained facility for inspection of and free access to all parts of the buildings and grounds and to all books and papers of the shelter care facility, and shall give, either verbally or in writing, such information as the department requires. Any person who violates this subsection shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $100.
(6) Testimonial power; expenses. The department or any person delegated by the department may administer oaths, take testimony, and cause depositions to be taken. All expenses of the investigations, including fees of officers and witnesses, shall be charged to the appropriation for the department.
(7) Statistics to be furnished. Whenever the department is required to collect statistics, the person or agency shall furnish the required statistics on request.
20,1320
Section
1320. 48.578 of the statutes is created to read:
48.578 Shelter care facilities; establishment, approval, inspection. (1) The department shall fix reasonable standards and regulations for the design, construction, repair, and maintenance of shelter care facilities, with respect to their adequacy and fitness for the needs that they are to serve.
(2) The selection and purchase of the site, and the plans, specifications, and erection of buildings for shelter care facilities shall be subject to the review and approval of the department. Department review shall include review of the proposed program to be carried out by the shelter care facility.
(3) Before any shelter care facility is occupied, and at least annually thereafter, the department shall inspect the shelter care facility, with respect to safety, sanitation, adequacy, and fitness, and report to the authorities managing the shelter care facility any deficiency found, and order the necessary work to correct that deficiency. If within 6 months after the inspection the work is not commenced, or not completed within a reasonable period after commencement of the work, to the satisfaction of the department, the department shall suspend the allowance of state aid for, and prohibit the use of the shelter care facility, until the order is complied with.
20,1321
Section
1321. 48.60 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.60 (3) Before issuing or continuing any license to a child welfare agency under this section, the department of health and family services shall review the need for the additional placement resources that would be made available by licensing or continuing the license of any child welfare agency after August 5, 1973, providing care authorized under s. 48.61 (3). Neither the department of health and family services nor the department of corrections may make any placements to any child welfare agency where the departmental review required under this subsection has failed to indicate the need for the additional placement resources.
20,1322
Section
1322. 48.62 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.62 (4) Monthly payments in foster care shall be provided according to the age-related rates specified in this subsection. Beginning on January 1, 2006, the age-related rates are $317 for a child under 5 years of age; $346 for a child 5 to 11 years of age; $394 for a child 12 to 14 years of age; and $411 2008, the age-related rates are $333 for a child under 5 years of age; $363 for a child 5 to 11 years of age; $414 for a child 12 to 14 years of age; and $432 for a child 15 years of age or over. Beginning on January 1, 2009, the age-related rates are $349 for a child under 5 years of age; $381 for a child 5 to 11 years of age; $433 for a child 12 to 14 years of age; and $452 for a child 15 years of age or over. In addition to these grants for basic maintenance, the department shall make supplemental payments for special needs, exceptional circumstances, care in a treatment foster home, and initial clothing allowances according to rules promulgated by the department.
20,1323
Section
1323. 48.62 (5) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.62
(5) (d) The department shall request from the secretary of the federal department of health and human services a waiver of the requirements under
42 USC 670 to
679a that would authorize the state to receive federal foster care and adoption assistance reimbursement under
42 USC 670 to
679a for the costs of providing care for a child who is in the care of a guardian who was licensed as the child's foster parent or treatment foster parent before the guardianship appointment and who has entered into a subsidized guardianship agreement with the county department or department. If the waiver is approved for a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department shall provide the monthly payments under par. (a) from the appropriations under s.
20.435 (3) 20.437 (1) (cx), (gx), (kw), and (mx). If the waiver is approved for any other county, the department shall determine which counties are authorized to provide monthly payments under par. (a) or (b), and the county departments of those counties shall provide those payments from moneys received under s.
46.495 48.569 (1) (d).
20,1324
Section
1324. 48.627 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.627 (2) (c) The department shall conduct a study to determine the cost-effectiveness of purchasing insurance to provide standard homeowner's or renter's liability insurance coverage for applicants who are granted a waiver under par. (b). If the department determines that it would be cost-effective to purchase such insurance, it may purchase the insurance from the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd).
20,1325
Section
1325. 48.627 (2c) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.627 (2c) The department shall determine the cost-effectiveness of purchasing private insurance that would provide coverage to foster, treatment foster, and family-operated group home parents for acts or omissions by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home, a treatment foster home, or a family-operated group home. If this private insurance is cost-effective and available, the department shall purchase the insurance from the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd). If the insurance is unavailable, payment of claims for acts or omissions by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home, a treatment foster home, or a family-operated group home shall be in accordance with subs. (2m) to (3).
20,1326
Section
1326. 48.627 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.627 (2m) Within the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd), the department shall pay claims to the extent not covered by any other insurance and subject to the limitations specified in sub. (3), for bodily injury or property damage sustained by a licensed foster, treatment foster, or family-operated group home parent or a member of the foster, treatment foster, or family-operated group home parent's family as a result of the act of a child in the foster, treatment foster, or family-operated group home parent's care.
20,1327
Section
1327. 48.627 (2s) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.627 (2s) (intro.) Within the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd), the department may pay claims to the extent not covered by any other insurance and subject to the limitations specified in sub. (3), for all of the following:
20,1328
Section
1328. 48.627 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.627 (3) (f) If the total amount of the claims approved during any calendar quarter exceeds 25% of the total funds available during the fiscal year for purposes of this subsection plus any unencumbered funds remaining from the previous quarter, the department shall prorate the available funds among the claimants with approved claims. The department shall also prorate any unencumbered funds remaining in the appropriation under s. 20.435 (3) 20.437 (1) (cf) at the end of each fiscal year among the claimants whose claims were prorated during the fiscal year. Payment of a prorated amount from unencumbered funds remaining at the end of the fiscal year constitutes a complete payment of the claim for purposes of this program, but does not prohibit a foster parent or treatment foster parent from submitting a claim under s. 16.007 for the unpaid portion.
20,1329
Section
1329. 48.627 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.627 (4) Except as provided in s. 895.485, the department is not liable for any act or omission by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home, treatment foster home, or family-operated group home, but shall, as provided in this section, pay claims described under sub. (2m) and may pay claims described under sub. (2s) or may purchase insurance to cover such claims as provided for under sub. (2c), within the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd).
20,1330
Section
1330. 48.63 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.63
(1) Acting under 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, 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 180 days from the date on which the child was removed from the home under the voluntary agreement. A group home placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 15 days from the date on which the child was removed from the home under the voluntary agreement, 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.
If a county department, the department, or the department of corrections places a child or negotiates or acts as intermediary for the placement of a child under this subsection, the voluntary agreement shall also specifically state that the county department, department, or department of corrections has placement and care responsibility for the child as required under 42 USC 672 (a) (2) and has primary responsibility for providing services to the child.
20,1331
Section
1331. 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, treatment foster homes, or group homes.
20,1332
Section
1332. 48.651 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.651 (1) (intro.) Each county department shall certify, according to the standards adopted by the department of workforce development under s. 49.155 (1d), each day care provider reimbursed for child care services provided to families determined eligible under s. 49.155, unless the provider is a day care center licensed under s. 48.65 or is established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14). Each county may charge a fee to cover the costs of certification. To be certified under this section, a person must meet the minimum requirements for certification established by the department of workforce development under s. 49.155 (1d), meet the requirements specified in s. 48.685 and pay the fee specified in this section. The county shall certify the following categories of day care providers:
20,1333
Section
1333. 48.651 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.651 (1) (a) Level I certified family day care providers, as established by the department of workforce development under s. 49.155 (1d). No county may certify a provider under this paragraph if the provider is a relative of all of the children for whom he or she provides care.
20,1334
Section
1334. 48.651 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.651 (1) (b) Level II certified family day care providers, as established by the department of workforce development, under s. 49.155 (1d).
20,1335
Section
1335. 48.651 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.651 (2m) Each county department shall provide the department of health and family services with information about each person who is denied certification for a reason specified in s. 48.685 (4m) (a) 1. to 5.
20,1338
Section
1338. 48.66 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.66 (1) (a) Except as provided in s. 48.715 (6) and (7), the department shall license and supervise child welfare agencies, as required by s. 48.60, group homes, as required by s. 48.625, shelter care facilities, as required by s. 938.22, and day care centers, as required by s. 48.65. The department may license foster homes or treatment foster homes, as provided by s. 48.62, and may license and supervise county departments in accordance with the procedures specified in this section and in ss. 48.67 to 48.74. In the discharge of this duty the department may inspect the records and visit the premises of all child welfare agencies, group homes, shelter care facilities, and day care centers and visit the premises of all foster homes and treatment foster homes in which children are placed.
20,1339
Section
1339. 48.66 (2m) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.66 (2m) (a) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the department of health and family services shall require each applicant for a license under sub. (1) (a) to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or day care center who is an individual to provide that department with the applicant's social security number, and shall require each applicant for a license under sub. (1) (a) to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or day care center who is not an individual to provide that department with the applicant's federal employer identification number, when initially applying for or applying to continue the license.
20,1340
Section
1340. 48.66 (2m) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.66 (2m) (a) 2. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department of health and family services that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of workforce development. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.
20,1341
Section
1341. 48.66 (2m) (am) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.66 (2m) (am) 2. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department of corrections that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of workforce development. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.
20,1342
Section
1342. 48.66 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.66 (2m) (b) If an applicant who is an individual fails to provide the applicant's social security number to the department of health and family services or if an applicant who is not an individual fails to provide the applicant's federal employer identification number to that the department, that department may not issue or continue a license under sub. (1) (a) to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or day care center to or for the applicant unless the applicant is an individual who does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under par. (a) 2.
20,1343
Section
1343. 48.66 (2m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.66 (2m) (c) The subunit of the department of health and family services that obtains a social security number or a federal employer identification number under par. (a) 1. may not disclose any that information obtained under par. (a) 1. to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 or on the request of the subunit of the department of workforce development that administers the child and spousal support program under s. 49.22 (2m).
20,1344
Section
1344. 48.66 (2m) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.66 (2m) (cm) The department of corrections may not disclose any information obtained under par. (am) 1. to any person except on the request of the department of workforce development under s. 49.22 (2m).
20,1345
Section
1345. 48.675 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.675 (3) Support services. (intro.) The department shall provide funds from the appropriation under s. 20.435 (6) 20.437 (1) (a) to enable foster parents and treatment foster parents to attend education programs approved under sub. (2) and shall promulgate rules concerning disbursement of the funds. Moneys disbursed under this subsection may be used for the following purposes:
20,1346
Section
1346. 48.685 (1) (bg) of the statutes is repealed.
20,1347
Section
1347. 48.685 (1) (d) of the statutes is repealed.
20,1348
Section
1348. 48.685 (2) (am) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (2) (am) 5. Information maintained by the department of health and family services under this section and under ss. 48.651 (2m), 48.75 (1m), and 120.13 (14) regarding any denial to the person of a license, continuation or renewal of a license, certification, or a contract to operate an entity for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 5. and regarding any denial to the person of employment at, a contract with, or permission to reside at an entity for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (b) 1. to 5. If the information obtained under this subdivision indicates that the person has been denied a license, continuation or renewal of a license, certification, a contract, employment, or permission to reside as described in this subdivision, the department, a county department, a child welfare agency or a school board need not obtain the information specified in subds. 1. to 4.
20,1349
Section
1349. 48.685 (2) (b) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (2) (b) 1. (intro.) Every entity shall obtain all of the following with respect to a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. a. of the entity:
20,1350
Section
1350. 48.685 (2) (b) 1. e. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (2) (b) 1. e. Information maintained by the department of health and family services under this section and under ss. 48.651 (2m), 48.75 (1m), and 120.13 (14) regarding any denial to the person of a license, continuation or renewal of a license, certification, or a contract to operate an entity for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 5. and regarding any denial to the person of employment at, a contract with, or permission to reside at an entity for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (b) 1. to 5. If the information obtained under this subd. 1. e. indicates that the person has been denied a license, continuation or renewal of a license, certification, a contract, employment, or permission to reside as described in this subd. 1. e., the entity need not obtain the information specified in subd. 1. a. to d.
20,1351
Section
1351. 48.685 (2) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
48.685
(2) (c) 1. If the person who is the subject of the search under par. (am) is seeking an initial license to operate a foster home or treatment foster home or is seeking relicensure after a break in licensure, the department, county department, or child welfare agency shall request under
42 USC 16962 (b) a fingerprint-based check of the national crime information databases, as defined in
28 USC 534 (f) (3) (A). The department, county department, or child welfare agency may release any information obtained under this subdivision only as permitted under
42 USC 16962 (e).
2. If the person who is the subject of the search under par. (am) is seeking a license to operate a foster home or treatment foster home or is an adult nonclient resident of the foster home or treatment foster home and if the person is not, or at any time within the 5 years preceding the date of the search has not been, a resident of this state, the department, county department, or child welfare agency shall check any child abuse or neglect registry maintained by any state or other U.S. jurisdiction in which the person is a resident or was a resident within those 5 years for information that is equivalent to the information specified in par. (am) 4. The department, county department, or child welfare agency may not use any information obtained under this subdivision for any purpose other than a search of the person's background under par. (am).
20,1352
Section
1352. 48.685 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (3) (a) Every 4 years or at any time within that period that the department, a county department, a child welfare agency, or a school board considers appropriate, the department, county department, child welfare agency, or school board shall request the information specified in sub. (2) (am) 1. to 5. for all persons
caregivers specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. b. who are licensed, certified, or contracted to operate an entity, for all persons who are nonclient residents of an entity such a caregiver, and for all persons under 18 years of age, but not under 12 years of age, who are caregivers of a day care center that is licensed under s. 48.65 or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (4) or of a day care provider that is certified under s. 48.651.
20,1353
Section
1353. 48.685 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (3) (b) Every 4 years or at any time within that period that an entity considers appropriate, the entity shall request the information specified in sub. (2) (b) 1. a. to e. for all persons who are caregivers specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. a. of the entity other than persons under 18 years of age, but not under 12 years of age, who are caregivers of a day care center that is licensed under s. 48.65 or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14) or of a day care provider that is certified under s. 48.651.
20,1354
Section
1354. 48.685 (4m) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.685 (4m) (b) (intro.) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, and except as provided in sub. (5), an entity may not employ or contract with a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. a. or permit a nonclient resident to reside at the entity if the entity knows or should have known any of the following:
20,1355
Section
1355. 48.685 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
