SB601, s. 76 20Section 76. 48.61 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,28,2321 48.61 (3) To provide appropriate care and training for children in its legal or
22physical custody and, if licensed to do so, to place children in licensed foster homes,
23licensed treatment foster homes
and licensed group homes;
SB601, s. 77 24Section 77. 48.61 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,29,2
148.61 (7) To license foster homes or treatment foster homes in accordance with
2s. 48.75 if licensed to do so.
SB601, s. 78 3Section 78. 48.615 (1) (b) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27,
4is amended to read:
SB601,29,85 48.615 (1) (b) Before the department may issue a license under s. 48.60 (1) to
6a child welfare agency that places children in licensed foster homes , licensed
7treatment foster homes
and licensed group homes, the child welfare agency must pay
8to the department a biennial fee of $210.
SB601, s. 79 9Section 79. Subchapter XIV (title) of chapter 48 [precedes 48.62] of the
10statutes is amended to read:
SB601,29,1111 CHAPTER 48
SB601,29,1412 SUBCHAPTER XIV
13 FOSTER HOMES AND TREATMENT
14 FOSTER HOMES
SB601, s. 80 15Section 80. 48.62 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,29,17 1648.62 (title) Licensing of foster homes and treatment foster homes;
17rates.
SB601, s. 81 18Section 81. 48.62 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,29,2319 48.62 (1) (a) Any Except as provided in pars. (b) and (c), any person who
20receives, with or without transfer of legal custody, 4 or fewer children or more than
214 children if all of the children are siblings to provide care and maintenance for those
22children shall obtain a license to operate a family foster home from the department,
23a county department or a licensed child welfare agency as provided in s. 48.75.
SB601, s. 82 24Section 82. 48.62 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
SB601,30,9
148.62 (1) (c) Any person employed by an entity that owns and operates foster
2homes clustered in a village setting, that has as its goal the provision of a stable,
3long-term placement for children and that employs individuals on a long-term basis
4is to provide care and maintenance for children, who receives, with or without
5transfer of legal custody, 6 or fewer children to provide long-term care and
6maintenance for those children in such a village setting shall obtain a license to
7operate a village foster home from the department, a county department or a licensed
8child welfare agency, other than a child welfare agency that employes the person, as
9provided in s. 48.75.
SB601, s. 83 10Section 83. 48.62 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,30,2511 48.62 (2) A relative as defined in s. 48.02 (15) or as specified in s. 49.19 (1) (a)
12or a guardian of a child, who provides care and maintenance for a child, is not
13required to obtain the license specified in this section. The department, county
14department or licensed child welfare agency as provided in s. 48.75 may issue a
15license to operate a foster home or a treatment foster home to a relative who has no
16duty of support under s. 49.90 (1) (a) and who requests a license to operate a foster
17home or treatment foster home for a specific child who is either placed by court order
18or who is the subject of a voluntary placement agreement under s. 48.63. The
19department, a county department or a licensed child welfare agency may, at the
20request of a guardian appointed under s. 48.977 or ch. 880, license the guardian's
21home as a foster home or treatment foster home for the guardian's minor ward who
22is living in the home and who is placed in the home by court order. Relatives with
23no duty of support and guardians appointed under s. 48.977 or ch. 880 who are
24licensed to operate foster homes or treatment foster homes are subject to the
25department's licensing rules.
SB601, s. 84
1Section 84. 48.62 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,31,132 48.62 (4) Monthly payments in foster care shall be provided according to the
3age-related rates specified in this subsection. Beginning on January 1, 1993, the
4age-related rates are: $240 for children aged 4 and under; $267 for children aged 5
5to 11; $327 for children aged 12 to 14 and $337 for children aged 15 to 17. Beginning
6on January 1, 1994, the age-related rates are: $276 for children aged 4 and under;
7$301 for children aged 5 to 11; $344 for children aged 12 to 14; and $361 for children
8aged 15 to 17. Beginning on January 1, 1995, the age-related rates are: $282 for
9children aged 4 and under; $307 for children aged 5 to 11; $349 for children aged 12
10to 14; and $365 for children aged 15 to 17. In addition to these grants for basic
11maintenance, the department shall make supplemental payments for special needs,
12exceptional circumstances, care in a treatment foster home or a village foster home
13and initial clothing allowances according to rules promulgated by the department.
SB601, s. 85 14Section 85. 48.625 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,31,1815 48.625 (3) This section does not apply to a foster home licensed under s. 48.62
16(1) (a) in which care and maintenance is provided for more than 4 siblings or to a
17foster home licensed under s. 48.62 (1) (c) in which care and maintenance is provided
18for more than 4, but fewer than 7, children
.
SB601, s. 86 19Section 86. 48.627 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,31,21 2048.627 (title) Foster, treatment foster and family-operated group home
21parent insurance and liability.
SB601, s. 87 22Section 87. 48.627 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,32,423 48.627 (2) (a) Before the department, a county department or a licensed child
24welfare agency may issue or renew a foster home, treatment foster home or
25family-operated group home license, the licensing agency shall require the applicant

1to furnish proof satisfactory to the licensing agency that he or she has homeowner's
2or renter's liability insurance that provides coverage for negligent acts or omissions
3by children placed in a foster home, treatment foster home or family-operated group
4home that result in bodily injury or property damage to 3rd parties.
SB601, s. 88 5Section 88. 48.627 (2c) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27,
6is amended to read:
SB601,32,167 48.627 (2c) The department shall determine the cost-effectiveness of
8purchasing private insurance that would provide coverage to foster , treatment foster
9parents and family-operated group home parents for acts or omissions by or
10affecting a child who is placed in a foster home, a treatment foster home or a
11family-operated group home. If this private insurance is cost-effective and
12available, the department shall purchase the insurance from the appropriations
13under s. 20.435 (3) (cf) and (pd). If the insurance is unavailable, payment of claims
14for acts or omissions by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home, a treatment
15foster home
or a family-operated group home shall be in accordance with subs. (2m)
16to (3).
SB601, s. 89 17Section 89. 48.627 (2m) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27,
18is amended to read:
SB601,33,219 48.627 (2m) Within the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) (cf) and
20(pd), the department shall pay claims to the extent not covered by any other
21insurance and subject to the limitations specified in sub. (3), for bodily injury or
22property damage sustained by a licensed foster, treatment foster parent or
23family-operated group home parent or a member of the family of a foster, treatment
24foster
parent or family-operated group home parent's family parent as a result of the

1act of a child in the care of the foster, treatment foster parent or family-operated
2group home parent's care parent.
SB601, s. 90 3Section 90. 48.627 (2s) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,33,84 48.627 (2s) (a) Acts or omissions of the foster, treatment foster parent or
5family-operated group home parent that result in bodily injury to the child who is
6placed in the foster home, treatment foster home or family-operated group home or
7that form the basis for a civil action for damages by the foster child's parent against
8the foster, treatment foster parent or family-operated group home parent.
SB601, s. 91 9Section 91. 48.627 (2s) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,33,1310 48.627 (2s) (b) Bodily injury or property damage caused by an act or omission
11of a child who is placed in the care of the foster , treatment foster parent or
12family-operated group home parent's care parent for which the foster, treatment
13foster
parent or family-operated group home parent becomes legally liable.
SB601, s. 92 14Section 92. 48.627 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,33,2015 48.627 (3) (b) A claim under sub. (2m) shall be submitted to the department
16within 90 days after the bodily injury or property damage occurs. A claim under sub.
17(2s) shall be submitted within 90 days after a foster, treatment foster parent or
18family-operated group home parent learns that a legal action has been commenced
19against that parent. No claim may be paid under this subsection unless it is
20submitted within the time limits specified in this paragraph.
SB601, s. 93 21Section 93. 48.627 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,34,222 48.627 (3) (d) No claim may be approved in an amount exceeding the total
23amount available for paying claims under this subsection in the fiscal year during
24which the claim is submitted. No claim for property damage sustained by a foster,
25treatment foster
parent or family-operated group home parent or a member of the

1family of
a foster, treatment foster parent or family-operated group home parent's
2family
parent may be approved in an amount exceeding $250,000.
SB601, s. 94 3Section 94. 48.627 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,34,104 48.627 (3) (e) The department may not approve a claim unless the foster,
5treatment foster
parent or family-operated group home parent submits with the
6claim evidence that is satisfactory to the department of the cause and value of the
7claim and evidence that insurance coverage is unavailable or inadequate to cover the
8claim. If insurance is available but inadequate, the department may approve a claim
9only for the amount of the value of the claim that it determines is in excess of the
10amount covered by insurance.
SB601, s. 95 11Section 95. 48.627 (3) (f) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27,
12is amended to read:
SB601,34,2313 48.627 (3) (f) If the total amount of the claims approved during any calendar
14quarter exceeds 25% of the total funds available during the fiscal year for purposes
15of this subsection plus any unencumbered funds remaining from the previous
16quarter, the department shall prorate the available funds among the claimants with
17approved claims. The department shall also prorate any unencumbered funds
18remaining in the appropriation under s. 20.435 (3) (cf) at the end of each fiscal year
19among the claimants whose claims were prorated during the fiscal year. Payment
20of a prorated amount from unencumbered funds remaining at the end of the fiscal
21year constitutes a complete payment of the claim for purposes of this program, but
22does not prohibit a foster parent or treatment foster parent from submitting a claim
23under s. 16.007 for the unpaid portion.
SB601, s. 96 24Section 96. 48.627 (3) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,35,7
148.627 (3) (h) If a claim by a foster, treatment foster parent or family-operated
2group home parent or a member of the family of a foster, treatment foster parent or
3family-operated group home parent's family parent is approved, the department
4shall deduct from the amount approved $200 less any amount deducted by an
5insurance company from a payment for the same claim, except that a foster,
6treatment foster
parent or family-operated group home parent and his or her family
7are subject to only one deductible for all claims filed in a fiscal year.
SB601, s. 97 8Section 97. 48.627 (4) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27,
9is amended to read:
SB601,35,1510 48.627 (4) Except as provided in s. 895.485, the department is not liable for any
11act or omission by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home, treatment foster
12home
or family-operated group home, but shall, as provided in this section, pay
13claims described under sub. (2m) and may pay claims described under sub. (2s) or
14may purchase insurance to cover such claims as provided for under sub. (2c), within
15the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) (cf) and (pd).
SB601, s. 98 16Section 98. 48.627 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,35,2117 48.627 (5) The attorney general may represent a foster , treatment foster parent
18or family-operated group home parent in any civil action arising out of an act or
19omission of the foster, treatment foster or family-operated group home parent while
20acting in his or her capacity as a foster, treatment foster parent or family-operated
21group home parent.
SB601, s. 99 22Section 99. 48.63 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77, is
23amended to read:
SB601,36,1324 48.63 (1) Acting pursuant to court order or voluntary agreement, the child's
25parent or guardian or the department of health and family services, the department

1of corrections, a county department or a child welfare agency licensed to place
2children in foster homes or treatment foster homes may place a child or negotiate or
3act as intermediary for the placement of a child in a foster home, treatment foster
4home
or group home. Voluntary agreements under this subsection may not be used
5for placements in facilities other than foster, treatment foster homes or group homes
6and may not be extended. A foster home or treatment foster home placement under
7a voluntary agreement may not exceed 6 months. A group home placement under
8a voluntary agreement may not exceed 15 days. These time limitations do not apply
9to placements made under s. 48.345, 938.183, 938.34 or 938.345. Voluntary
10agreements may be made only under this subsection and shall be in writing and shall
11specifically state that the agreement may be terminated at any time by the parent
12or by the child if the child's consent to the agreement is required. The child's consent
13to the agreement is required whenever the child is 12 years of age or older.
SB601, s. 100 14Section 100. 48.63 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,36,2415 48.63 (4) A permanency plan under s. 48.38 is required for each child placed
16in a foster home or treatment foster home under sub. (1). If the child is living in a
17foster home or treatment foster home under a voluntary agreement, the agency that
18negotiated or acted as intermediary for the placement shall prepare the permanency
19plan within 60 days after the placement. A copy of each plan shall be provided to the
20child if he or she is 12 years of age or over and to the child's parent or guardian. If
21the agency which arranged the voluntary placement intends to seek a court order to
22place the child outside of his or her home at the expiration of the voluntary
23placement, the agency shall prepare a revised permanency plan and file that revised
24plan with the court prior to the date of the hearing on the proposed placement.
SB601, s. 101 25Section 101. 48.64 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,37,2
148.64 (title) Placement of children in foster homes, treatment foster
2homes
and group homes.
SB601, s. 102 3Section 102. 48.64 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27,
4is amended to read:
SB601,37,85 48.64 (1) Definition. In this section, "agency" means the department of health
6and family services, the department of corrections, a county department or a licensed
7child welfare agency authorized to place children in foster homes or treatment foster
8homes
.
SB601, s. 103 9Section 103. 48.64 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,37,2410 48.64 (1m) (title) Foster home, treatment foster home and group home
11agreements.
If an agency places a child in a foster home or treatment foster home
12under a court order or voluntary agreement under s. 48.63, the agency shall enter
13into a written agreement with the head of the home. The agreement shall provide
14that the agency shall have access at all times to the child and the home, and that the
15child will be released to the agency whenever, in the opinion of the agency placing
16the child or the department, the best interests of the child require it. If a child has
17been in a foster home, treatment foster home or group home for 6 months or more,
18the agency shall give the head of the home written notice of intent to remove the
19child, stating the reasons for the removal. The child shall not be removed before
20completion of the hearing under sub. (4) (a) or (c), if requested, or 30 days after the
21receipt of the notice, whichever is later, unless the safety of the child requires it. If
22the safety of the child requires earlier removal, s. 48.19 shall apply. If an agency
23removes a child from an adoptive placement, the head of the home shall have no claim
24against the placing agency for the expense of care, clothing or medical treatment.
SB601, s. 104 25Section 104. 48.64 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,38,3
148.64 (2) (title) Supervision of foster home, treatment foster home and group
2home placements.
Every child in a foster home, treatment foster home or group home
3shall be under the supervision of an agency.
SB601, s. 105 4Section 105. 48.64 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,39,115 48.64 (4) (a) Any decision or order issued by an agency that affects the head of
6a foster, treatment foster home or group home or the children involved may be
7appealed to the department under fair hearing procedures established under
8department rules. The department shall, upon receipt of an appeal, give the head
9of the home reasonable notice and opportunity for a fair hearing. The department
10may make such additional investigation as the department considers necessary. The
11department shall give notice of the hearing to the head of the home and to the
12departmental subunit, county department or child welfare agency that issued the
13decision or order. Each person receiving notice is entitled to be represented at the
14hearing. At all hearings conducted under this subsection, the head of the home, or
15a representative of the head of the home, shall have an adequate opportunity,
16notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), to examine all documents and records to be used at
17the hearing at a reasonable time before the date of the hearing as well as during the
18hearing, to bring witnesses, to establish all pertinent facts and circumstances, and
19to question or refute any testimony or evidence, including opportunity to confront
20and cross-examine adverse witnesses. The department shall grant a continuance
21for a reasonable period of time when an issue is raised for the first time during a
22hearing. This requirement may be waived with the consent of the parties. The
23decision of the department shall be based exclusively on evidence introduced at the
24hearing. A transcript of testimony and exhibits, or an official report containing the
25substance of what transpired at the hearing, together with all papers and requests

1filed in the proceeding, and the findings of the hearing examiner shall constitute the
2exclusive record for decision by the department. The department shall make the
3record available at any reasonable time and at an accessible place to the head of the
4home or his or her representative. Decisions by the department shall specify the
5reasons for the decision and identify the supporting evidence. No person
6participating in an agency action being appealed may participate in the final
7administrative decision on that action. The department shall render its decision as
8soon as possible after the hearing and shall send a certified copy of its decision to the
9head of the home and to the departmental subunit, county department or child
10welfare agency that issued the decision or order. The decision shall be binding on all
11parties concerned.
SB601, s. 106 12Section 106. 48.64 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,39,2013 48.64 (4) (c) The circuit court for the county where the child is placed has
14jurisdiction upon petition of any interested party over a child who is placed in a foster
15home, treatment foster home or group home. The circuit court may call a hearing,
16at which the head of the home and the supervising agency under sub. (2) shall be
17present, for the purpose of reviewing any decision or order of that agency involving
18the placement and care of the child. If the child has been placed in a foster home, the
19foster parent may present relevant evidence at the hearing. The court shall
20determine the case so as to promote the best interests of the child.
SB601, s. 107 21Section 107. Subchapter XVI (title) of chapter 48 [precedes 48.66] of the
22statutes is amended to read:
SB601,39,2323 CHAPTER 48
SB601,40,424 SUBCHAPTER XVI
25 LICENSING PROCEDURES AND

1REQUIREMENTS FOR CHILD WELFARE
2 AGENCIES, FOSTER HOMES, TREATMENT
3 FOSTER HOMES,
GROUP HOMES, DAY CARE
4 CENTERS AND COUNTy DEPARtMENTS
SB601, s. 108 5Section 108. 48.66 (1) of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 77,
6is amended to read:
SB601,40,177 48.66 (1) The department shall license and supervise child welfare agencies,
8as required by s. 48.60, group homes, as required by s. 48.625, shelter care facilities,
9as required by s. 48.48 and day care centers, as required by s. 48.65. The department
10may license foster homes or treatment foster homes, as provided by s. 48.62, and may
11license and supervise county departments in accordance with the procedures
12specified in this section and in ss. 48.67 to 48.74. The department of corrections may
13license a child welfare agency to operate a secured child caring institution, as defined
14in s. 938.02 (15g), for holding in secure custody children who have been convicted
15under s. 938.183 or adjudicated delinquent under s. 938.34 (4h) or (4m) and referred
16to the child welfare agency by the court or the department of corrections and to
17provide supervision, care and maintenance for those children.
SB601, s. 109 18Section 109. 48.67 of the statutes, as affected by 1995 Wisconsin Act 27, is
19amended to read:
SB601,41,4 2048.67 (title) Rules governing child welfare agencies, day care centers,
21foster homes,
treatment foster homes, group homes, shelter care facilities
22and county departments.
The department shall promulgate rules establishing
23minimum requirements for the issuance of licenses to, and establishing standards
24for the operation of, child welfare agencies, day care centers, foster homes, treatment
25foster homes,
group homes, shelter care facilities and county departments. These

1rules shall be designed to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the
2children in the care of all licensees. The department shall consult with the
3department of commerce and the department of education before promulgating these
4rules.
SB601, s. 110 5Section 110. 48.675 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,41,106 48.675 (1) Development of program. The department shall develop a foster
7care education program to provide specialized training for persons operating family
8foster homes or treatment foster homes. Participation in the program shall be
9voluntary and shall be limited to persons operating foster homes or treatment foster
10homes
licensed under s. 48.62 and caring for children with special treatment needs.
SB601, s. 111 11Section 111. 48.675 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,41,2112 48.675 (2) Approval of programs. The department shall promulgate rules for
13approval of programs to meet the requirements of this section. Such programs may
14include, but need not be limited to: in-service training; workshops and seminars
15developed by the department or by county departments; seminars and courses
16offered through public or private education agencies; and workshops, seminars and
17courses pertaining to behavioral and developmental disabilities and to the
18development of mutual support services for foster parents and treatment foster
19parents
. The department may approve programs under this subsection only after
20consideration of relevant factors including level of education, useful or necessary
21skills, location and other criteria as determined by the department.
SB601, s. 112 22Section 112. 48.675 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,42,223 48.675 (3) Support services. (intro.) The department shall provide funds from
24the appropriations under s. 20.435 (3) (ho) and (6) (a) to enable foster parents and
25treatment foster parents
to attend education programs approved under sub. (2) and

1shall promulgate rules concerning disbursement of the funds. Moneys disbursed
2under this subsection may be used for the following purposes:
SB601, s. 113 3Section 113. 48.675 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,42,54 48.675 (3) (a) Care of residents of the foster home or treatment foster home
5during the time of participation in an education program.
SB601, s. 114 6Section 114. 48.70 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,42,117 48.70 (2) Special provisions for child welfare agency licenses. A license to
8a child welfare agency shall also specify the kind of child welfare work the agency is
9authorized to undertake, whether the agency may accept guardianship of children,
10whether the agency may place children in foster homes or treatment foster homes,
11and if so, the area the agency is equipped to serve.
SB601, s. 115 12Section 115. 48.73 of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,42,16 1348.73 Inspection of licensees. The department may visit and inspect each
14child welfare agency, foster home, treatment foster home, group home and day care
15center licensed by it, and for such purpose shall be given unrestricted access to the
16premises described in the license.
SB601, s. 116 17Section 116. 48.75 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,42,19 1848.75 (title) Foster homes and treatment foster homes licensed by
19county departments and by child welfare agencies.
SB601, s. 117 20Section 117. 48.75 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,43,521 48.75 (1) Child welfare agencies, if licensed to do so by the department, and
22county departments may license foster homes and treatment foster homes under the
23rules promulgated by the department under s. 48.67 governing the licensing of foster
24homes and treatment foster homes. A foster home or treatment foster home license
25shall be issued for a term not to exceed 2 years from the date of issuance, is not

1transferable and may be revoked by the child welfare agency or by the county
2department because the licensee has substantially and intentionally violated any
3provision of this chapter or of the rules of the department promulgated pursuant to
4s. 48.67 or because the licensee fails to meet the minimum requirements for a license.
5The licensee shall be given written notice of any revocation and the grounds therefor.
SB601, s. 118 6Section 118. 48.75 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB601,43,97 48.75 (2) Any foster home or treatment foster home applicant or licensee of a
8county department or a child welfare agency may, if aggrieved by the failure to issue
9or renew its license or by revocation of its license, appeal as provided in s. 48.72.
SB601, s. 119 10Section 119. 48.831 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
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