2015 Wisconsin Act 172

172,67 Section 67. 48.357 (2m) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.357 (2m) (bm) If the court changes the child's placement from a placement in the child's home to a placement outside the child's home, the parent, if present at the hearing, shall be requested to provide the names and other identifying information of 3 relatives of the child or other individuals 18 years of age or over whose homes the parent requests the court to consider as placements for the child, unless that information has previously been provided under this paragraph, sub. (1) (c) 2m., or s. 48.21 (3) (f) or 48.335 (6). If the parent does not provide that information at the hearing, the county department, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order shall permit the parent to provide the information at a later date.

172,68 Section 68. 48.357 (2v) (a) 1m. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.357 (2v) (a) 1m. If the change in placement order changes the placement of a child who is under the supervision of the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department to a placement outside the child's home, whether from a placement in the home or from another placement outside the home, an order ordering the child into, or to be continued in, the placement and care responsibility of the county department or department as required under 42 USC 672 (a) (2) and assigning the county department or department primary responsibility, or continued primary responsibility, for providing services to the child.

172,69 Section 69. 48.357 (2v) (a) 2m. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.357 (2v) (a) 2m. If the child has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been placed outside the home or for whom a change in placement to a placement outside the home is requested, a finding as to whether the county department, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order has made reasonable efforts to place the child in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the court determines that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings, in which case the court shall order the county department, department, or agency to make reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the child and the siblings, unless the court determines that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings.

172,70 Section 70. 48.357 (2v) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.357 (2v) (d) 1. Subject to subd. 2., the court shall order the county department, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order to conduct a diligent search in order to locate and provide notice of the information specified in s. 48.21 (5) (e) 2. a. to e. to all relatives of the child named under sub. (1) (c) 2m. or (2m) (bm) and to all adult relatives, as defined in s. 48.21 (5) (e) 1., of the child within 30 days after the child is removed from the custody of the child's parent unless the child is returned to his or her home within that period. The court may also order the county department, department, or agency to conduct a diligent search in order to locate and provide notice of that information to all other adult individuals named under sub. (1) (c) 2m. or (2m) (bm) within 30 days after the child is removed from the custody of the child's parent unless the child is returned to his or her home within that period. The county department, department, or agency may not provide that notice to a person named under sub. (1) (c) 2m. or (2m) (bm) or to an adult relative if the county department, department, or agency has reason to believe that it would be dangerous to the child or to the parent if the child were placed with that person or adult relative.

172,71 Section 71. 48.357 (5m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.357 (5m) (b) If the court orders the child's parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court or if the court orders the child's parent to provide that statement to the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order and that person or agency is not the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, the court shall also order the child's parent to provide that statement to the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department by a date specified by the court. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall provide, without charge, to the parent a form on which to provide that statement, and the parent shall provide that statement on that form. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall use the information provided in the statement to determine whether the department may claim federal foster care and adoption assistance reimbursement under 42 USC 670 to 679a for the cost of providing care for the child.

172,72 Section 72. 48.36 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.36 (2) If an expectant mother or a child whose legal custody has not been taken from a parent or guardian is given educational and social services, or medical, psychological or psychiatric treatment by order of the court, the cost of those services or that treatment, if ordered by the court, shall be a charge upon the county in a county having a population of less than 500,000 750,000 or the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more. This section does not prevent recovery of reasonable contribution toward the costs from the parent or guardian of the child or from an adult expectant mother as the court may order based on the ability of the parent, guardian or adult expectant mother to pay. This subsection shall be subject to s. 49.32 (1).

172,73 Section 73. 48.363 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.363 (1) (d) If the court orders the child's parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court or if the court orders the child's parent to provide that statement to the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order and that person or agency is not the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department, the court shall also order the child's parent to provide that statement to the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department by a date specified by the court. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall provide, without charge, to the parent a form on which to provide that statement, and the parent shall provide that statement on that form. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall use the information provided in the statement to determine whether the department may claim federal foster care and adoption assistance reimbursement under 42 USC 670 to 679a for the cost of providing care for the child.

172,74 Section 74. 48.38 (5) (am) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.38 (5) (am) The court may appoint an independent agency to designate a panel to conduct a permanency review under par. (a). If the court in a county having a population of less than 500,000 750,000 appoints an independent agency under this paragraph, the county department of the county of the court shall authorize and contract for the purchase of services from the independent agency. If the court in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more appoints an independent agency under this paragraph, the department shall authorize and contract for the purchase of services from the independent agency.

172,75 Section 75. 48.428 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.428 (2) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), when a court places a child in sustaining care after an order under s. 48.427 (4), the court shall transfer legal custody of the child to the county department, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, or a licensed child welfare agency, transfer guardianship of the child to an agency listed in s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am), and place the child in the home of a licensed foster parent or kinship care relative with whom the child has resided for 6 months or longer. In placing an Indian child in sustaining care, the court shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. Pursuant to the placement, that licensed foster parent or kinship care relative shall be a sustaining parent with the powers and duties specified in sub. (3).

172,76 Section 76. 48.428 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.428 (2) (b) When a court places a child in sustaining care after an order under s. 48.427 (4) with a person who has been appointed as the guardian of the child under s. 48.977 (2), the court may transfer legal custody of the child to the county department, the department in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, or a licensed child welfare agency, transfer guardianship of the child to an agency listed in s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am), and place the child in the home of a licensed foster parent or kinship care relative with whom the child has resided for 6 months or longer. In placing an Indian child in sustaining care, the court shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. Pursuant to the placement, that licensed foster parent or kinship care relative shall be a sustaining parent with the powers and duties specified in sub. (3). If the court transfers guardianship of the child to an agency listed in s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am), the court shall terminate the guardianship under s. 48.977.

172,77 Section 77. 48.545 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.545 (2) (a) (intro.) From the appropriations under s. 20.437 (1) (eg), (kb), and (nL), the department shall distribute $2,097,700 in each fiscal year to applying nonprofit corporations and public agencies operating in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, $1,171,800 in each fiscal year to applying county departments under s. 46.22, 46.23, 51.42, or 51.437 operating in counties other than a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, and $55,000 in each fiscal year to Diverse and Resilient, Inc. to provide programs to accomplish all of the following:

172,78 Section 78. 48.563 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.563 (1) (b) Notwithstanding s. 48.568, if the department receives any federal moneys under 42 USC 670 to 679a in reimbursement of moneys allocated under par. (a) for the provision of foster care, the department shall distribute those federal moneys for services and projects to assist children and families and for the purposes specified in s. 48.567.

172,79 Section 79. 48.563 (2) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.563 (2) (title) Basic county County allocation.

172,80 Section 80. 48.563 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.563 (4) Postreunification services. If a demonstration project authorized under 42 USC 1320a-9 reduces the cost of providing out-of-home care for children in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, from the appropriations under s. 20.437 (1) (cx) and (o) (mb) the department may distribute the amount by which that cost is reduced by that demonstration project in each fiscal year to county departments for services for children and families to prevent the reentry of children into out-of-home care.

172,81 Section 81. 48.563 (14m) of the statutes is repealed.

172,82 Section 82. 48.565 (intro.) (except 48.565 (title)) of the statutes is renumbered 48.565 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:

48.565 (1) (intro.) Funds allocated by the department under s. 48.569 (1) (d) but not spent or encumbered by counties, governing bodies of Indian tribes, or private nonprofit organizations by December 31 of each year and funds recovered under s. 48.569 (2) (b) and deposited into the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (1) (b) lapse to the general fund on the succeeding January 1 unless carried forward to the next calendar year under s. 20.437 (1) (b) or as follows:

172,83 Section 83. 48.565 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.565 (2) (a) Subject to par. (am), if on December 31 of any year there remains unspent or unencumbered in the allocation under s. 48.563 (2) an amount that exceeds the amount received under 42 USC 670 to 679a and allocated under s. 48.563 (2) in that year, the department shall carry forward the excess moneys and distribute not less than 50% of the excess moneys to counties having a population of less than 500,000 that are making a good faith effort, as determined by the department, to comply with s. 46.22 (1) (c) 8. f. for services and projects to assist children and families, notwithstanding the percentage limit specified in sub. (3). A county shall use not less than 50% of the moneys distributed to the county under this subsection for services for children who are at risk of abuse or neglect to prevent the need for child abuse and neglect intervention services, except that in the calendar year in which a county achieves compliance with s. 46.22 (1) (c) 8. f. and in the 2 calendar years after that calendar year the county may use 100% of the moneys distributed under this paragraph to reimburse the department for the costs of achieving that compliance. If a county does not comply with s. 46.22 (1) (c) 8. f. before July 1, 2005, the department may recover any amounts distributed to that county under this paragraph after June 30, 2001, by billing the county or deducting from that county's allocation under s. 48.563 (2). The department may bill a county or deduct from a county's allocation under s. 48.563 (2) for the costs of implementing and operating the statewide automated child welfare information system established under s. 48.47 (7g). All moneys received by the department under this paragraph shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (1) (j).

172,84 Section 84. 48.565 (2) (am) of the statutes is repealed.

172,85 Section 85. 48.565 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.565 (2) (b) A county may not use any moneys distributed under par. (a) s. 48.563 (2) to supplant any other moneys expended by the county for services and projects to assist children and families in a base year determined by the department.

172,86 Section 86. 48.565 (2) (c) of the statutes is repealed.

172,87 Section 87. 48.565 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 48.565 (1) (a) and amended to read:

48.565 (1) (a) At the request of a county, tribal governing body, or private nonprofit organization, the department shall carry forward to the next calendar year up to 3 percent of the total amount allocated to the county, tribal governing body, or nonprofit organization under s. 48.569 (1) (d) for a calendar year. All funds carried forward for a tribal governing body or nonprofit organization and all federal child welfare funds under 42 USC 620 to 626 carried forward for a county shall be used for the purpose for which the funds were originally allocated. Other funds carried forward under this subsection may be used for any purpose under s. 20.437 (1) (b), except that a county may not use any funds carried forward under this subsection for administrative or staff costs. An allocation of carried-forward funding under this subsection does not affect a county's base allocation under s. 48.563 (2).

172,88 Section 88. 48.565 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 48.565 (1) (b) and amended to read:

48.565 (1) (b) The At the request of a county, the department may shall carry forward to the next calendar year up to 10 percent of any funds specified in sub. (3) that are not carried forward under sub. (3) for emergencies, for justifiable unit services costs above planned levels, and for increased costs due to population shifts. An allocation of carried-forward funding under this subsection the total amount allocated to the county under s. 48.569 (1) (d) for a calendar year if the department agrees that an emergency or other circumstance that was unforeseen when the original allocation to the county was made necessitates the carryover.

(7) The amount of funds carried forward from the preceding calendar year at the request of a county under sub. (1) (a) or (b) does not affect a the determination of that county's base allocation share of the funding allocated under s. 48.563 (2) for a calendar year.

172,89 Section 89. 48.565 (8) of the statutes is created to read:

48.565 (8) A county shall use funds carried forward under this section for services provided to children and families and not for the county's general administrative costs.

172,90 Section 90. 48.567 of the statutes is repealed.

172,91 Section 91. 48.569 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.569 (1) (d) From the appropriations under s. 20.437 (1) (b), (cx), (km), and (o), the department shall distribute the funding for children and family services, including funding for foster care or subsidized guardianship care of a child on whose behalf aid is received under s. 48.645 to county departments as provided under s. 48.563. County matching funds are required for the distribution under s. 48.563 (2). Each county's required match for the distribution under s. 48.563 (2) shall be specified in a schedule established annually by the department. Matching funds may be from county tax levies, federal and state revenue sharing funds, or private donations to the county that meet the requirements specified in sub. (1m). Private donations may not exceed 25 percent of the total county match. If the county match is less than the amount required to generate the full amount of state and federal funds distributed for this period, the decrease in the amount of state and federal funds equals the difference between the required and the actual amount of county matching funds.

172,92 Section 92. 48.57 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (1) (e) If a county department in a county with a population of 500,000 750,000 or more and if contracted to do so by the department, to place children in a county children's home in the county under policies adopted by the county board of supervisors, to accept guardianship of children when appointed by the court and to place children under its guardianship for adoption.

172,93 Section 93. 48.57 (1) (hm) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (1) (hm) If a county department in a county with a population of less than 500,000 750,000, to accept guardianship, when appointed by the court, of a child whom the county department has placed in a foster home under a court order or voluntary agreement under s. 48.63 and to place that child under its guardianship for adoption by the foster parent.

172,94 Section 94. 48.57 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (2m) A county department, as soon as practicable after learning that a person who is receiving child welfare services under sub. (1) from the county department has changed his or her county of residence, shall provide notice of that change to the county department of the person's new county of residence or, if that new county of residence is a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department. The notice shall include a brief, written description of the services offered or provided to the person by the county department and the name, telephone number, and address of a person to contact for more information.

172,95 Section 95. 48.57 (3m) (am) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (am) (intro.) From the appropriations under s. 20.437 (2) (dz), (md), (me), and (s), the department shall reimburse counties having populations of less than 500,000 750,000 for payments made under this subsection and shall make payments under this subsection in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more. Subject to par. (ap), a county department and, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall make payments in the amount of $226 per month beginning on January 1, 2014, and $232 per month beginning on January 1, 2015, to a kinship care relative who is providing care and maintenance for a child if all of the following conditions are met:

172,96 Section 96. 48.57 (3m) (ap) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (ap) 1. Subject to subds. 2. and 3., the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make payments under par. (am) to a kinship care relative who is providing care and maintenance for a child who is placed in the home of the kinship care relative under a court order for no more than 60 days after the date on which the county department or department received under par. (am) 1. the completed application of the kinship care relative for a license to operate a foster home or, if the application is approved or denied or the kinship care relative is otherwise determined to be ineligible for licensure within those 60 days, until the date on which the application is approved or denied or the kinship care relative is otherwise determined to be ineligible for licensure.

172,97 Section 97. 48.57 (3m) (ap) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (ap) 3. Notwithstanding that an application of a kinship care relative specified in subd. 1. is denied or the kinship care relative is otherwise determined to be ineligible for licensure, the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make payments under par. (am) to the kinship care relative for as long as the conditions specified in par. (am) 1. to 6. continue to apply if the county department or department submits to the court information relating to the background investigation specified in par. (am) 4., an assessment of the safety of the kinship care relative's home and the ability of the kinship care relative to care for the child, and a recommendation that the child remain in the home of the kinship care relative and the court, after considering that information, assessment, and recommendation, orders the child to remain in the kinship care relative's home. If the court does not order the child to remain in the kinship care relative's home, the court shall order the county department or department to request a change in placement under s. 48.357 (1) (am) or 938.357 (1) (am). Any person specified in s. 48.357 (2m) (a) or 938.357 (2m) (a) may also request a change in placement.

172,98 Section 98. 48.57 (3m) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (b) 1. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall refer to the attorney responsible for support enforcement under s. 59.53 (6) (a) the name of the parent or parents of a child for whom a payment is made under par. (am).

172,99 Section 99. 48.57 (3m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (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.

172,100 Section 100. 48.57 (3m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (d) A county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall review a placement of a child for which the county department or department makes payments under par. (am) not less than every 12 months after the county department or department begins making those payments to determine whether the conditions specified in par. (am) continue to exist. If those conditions do not continue to exist, the county department or department shall discontinue making those payments.

172,101 Section 101. 48.57 (3m) (g) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (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 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:

172,102 Section 102. 48.57 (3m) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3m) (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 kinship care relative who continues to receive payments under par. (am) by reducing the amount of the 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.

172,103 Section 103. 48.57 (3n) (am) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3n) (am) (intro.) From the appropriations under s. 20.437 (2) (dz), (md), (me), and (s), the department shall reimburse counties having populations of less than 500,000 750,000 for payments made under this subsection and shall make payments under this subsection in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more. Subject to par. (ap), a county department and, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall make monthly payments for each child in the amount of $226 per month beginning on January 1, 2014, and $232 per month beginning on January 1, 2015, to a long-term kinship care relative who is providing care and maintenance for that child if all of the following conditions are met:

172,104 Section 104. 48.57 (3n) (ap) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3n) (ap) 1. Subject to subds. 2. and 3., the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make payments under par. (am) to a long-term kinship care relative who is providing care and maintenance for a child who is placed in the home of the long-term kinship care relative for no more than 60 days after the date on which the county department or department received under par. (am) 1. the completed application of the long-term kinship care relative for a license to operate a foster home or, if the application is approved or denied or the long-term kinship care relative is otherwise determined to be ineligible for licensure within those 60 days, until the date on which the application is approved or denied or the long-term kinship care relative is otherwise determined to be ineligible for licensure.

172,105 Section 105. 48.57 (3n) (ap) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3n) (ap) 3. Notwithstanding that an application of a long-term kinship care relative specified in subd. 1. is denied or the long-term kinship care relative is otherwise determined to be ineligible for licensure, the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department may make payments under par. (am) to the long-term kinship care relative until an event specified in par. (am) 6. a. to f. occurs if the county department or department submits to the court information relating to the background investigation specified in par. (am) 4., an assessment of the safety of the long-term kinship care relative's home and the ability of the long-term kinship care relative to care for the child, and a recommendation that the child remain in the home of the long-term kinship care relative and the court, after considering that information, assessment, and recommendation, orders the child to remain in the long-term kinship care relative's home. If the court does not order the child to remain in the kinship care relative's home, the court shall order the county department or department to request a change in placement under s. 48.357 (1) (am) or 938.357 (1) (am) or to request a termination of the guardianship order under s. 48.977 (7). Any person specified in s. 48.357 (2m) (a) or 938.357 (2m) (a) may also request a change in placement and any person who is authorized to file a petition for the appointment of a guardian for the child may also request a termination of the guardianship order.

172,106 Section 106. 48.57 (3n) (ar) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3n) (ar) (intro.) Subject to sub. (3p) (fm) 1m. and (hm), a county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall enter into an agreement under par. (am) 6. if all of the following conditions are met:

172,107 Section 107. 48.57 (3n) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

48.57 (3n) (b) 1. The county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 750,000 or more, the department shall refer to the attorney responsible for support enforcement under s. 59.53 (6) (a) the name of the parent or parents of a child for whom a payment is made under par. (am).

172,108 Section 108. 48.57 (3n) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

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.

172,109 Section 109. 48.57 (3n) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

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.

172,110 Section 110. 48.57 (3n) (g) 2. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

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:

172,111 Section 111. 48.57 (3n) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

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.

172,112 Section 112. 48.57 (3p) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

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.