AB100-engrossed, s. 1702 25Section 1702. 48.981 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,816,14
148.981 (3) (a) Referral of report. A person required to report under sub. (2) shall
2immediately inform, by telephone or personally, the county department or, in a
3county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child
4welfare agency under contract with the department
or the sheriff or city, village or
5town police department of the facts and circumstances contributing to a suspicion of
6child abuse or neglect or to a belief that abuse or neglect will occur. The sheriff or
7police department shall within 12 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays or legal
8holidays, refer to the county department or, in a county having a population of
9500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
10with the department
all cases reported to it. The county department , department
11or licensed child welfare agency
may require that a subsequent report be made in
12writing. Each county department, the department and a licensed child welfare
13agency under contract with the department
shall adopt a written policy specifying
14the kinds of reports it will routinely report to local law enforcement authorities.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1703 15Section 1703. 48.981 (3) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,817,1616 48.981 (3) (c) 1. Within 24 hours after receiving a report under par. (a), the
17county department or licensed child welfare agency under contract with the county
18department
agency shall, in accordance with the authority granted to the
19department under s. 48.48 (17) (a) 1. or the county department under s. 48.57 (1) (a),
20initiate a diligent investigation to determine if the child is in need of protection or
21services. The investigation shall be conducted in accordance with standards
22established by the department for conducting child abuse and neglect investigations.
23If the investigation is of a report of abuse or neglect or threatened abuse or neglect
24by a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (am) 5. to 8. who continues to have access to the
25child or a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (am) 1. to 4., or of a report that does not

1disclose who is suspected of the abuse or neglect and in which the investigation does
2not disclose who abused or neglected the child, the investigation shall also include
3observation of or an interview with the child, or both, and, if possible, an interview
4with the child's parents, guardian or legal custodian. If the investigation is of a
5report of abuse or neglect or threatened abuse or neglect by a caregiver who continues
6to reside in the same dwelling as the child, the investigation shall also include, if
7possible, a visit to that dwelling. At the initial visit to the child's dwelling, the person
8making the investigation shall identify himself or herself and the county department
9or licensed child welfare
agency involved to the child's parents, guardian or legal
10custodian. The county department or licensed child welfare agency under contract
11with the county department
agency may contact, observe or interview the child at
12any location without permission from the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian
13if necessary to determine if the child is in need of protection or services, except that
14the person making the investigation may enter a child's dwelling only with
15permission from the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian or after obtaining a
16court order to do so.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1704 17Section 1704. 48.981 (3) (c) 2. a. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,817,2418 48.981 (3) (c) 2. a. If the person making the investigation is an employe of the
19county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the
20department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department

21and he or she determines that it is consistent with the child's best interest in terms
22of physical safety and physical health to remove the child from his or her home for
23immediate protection, he or she shall take the child into custody under s. 48.08 (2)
24or 48.19 (1) (c) and deliver the child to the intake worker under s. 48.20.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1705 25Section 1705. 48.981 (3) (c) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,818,10
148.981 (3) (c) 3. If the county department or, in a county having a population
2of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
3with the department
determines that a child, any member of the child's family or the
4child's guardian or legal custodian is in need of services, the county department,
5department or licensed child welfare agency
shall offer to provide appropriate
6services or to make arrangements for the provision of services. If the child's parent,
7guardian or legal custodian refuses to accept the services, the county department,
8department or licensed child welfare agency
may request that a petition be filed
9under s. 48.13 alleging that the child who is the subject of the report or any other child
10in the home is in need of protection or services.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1706 11Section 1706. 48.981 (3) (c) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,819,212 48.981 (3) (c) 4. The county department or, in a county having a population of
13500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
14with the department
shall determine, within 60 days after receipt of a report,
15whether abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur. The determination shall
16be based on a preponderance of the evidence produced by the investigation. A
17determination that abuse or neglect has occurred may not be based solely on the fact
18that the child's parent, guardian or legal custodian in good faith selects and relies on
19prayer or other religious means for treatment of disease or for remedial care of the
20child. In making a determination that emotional damage has occurred, the county
21department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
22or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
shall give due
23regard to the culture of the subjects and shall establish that the person alleged to be
24responsible for the emotional damage is neglecting, refusing or unable for reasons

1other than poverty to remedy the harm. This subdivision does not prohibit a court
2from ordering medical services for the child if the child's health requires it.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1707 3Section 1707. 48.981 (3) (c) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,819,104 48.981 (3) (c) 5. The county department and licensed child welfare agency
5under contract with the county department
agency shall maintain a record of its
6actions in connection with each report it receives. The record shall include a
7description of the services provided to any child and to the parents, guardian or legal
8custodian of the child. The county department and licensed child welfare agency
9under contract with the county department
agency shall update the record every 6
10months until the case is closed.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1708 11Section 1708. 48.981 (3) (c) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,819,1612 48.981 (3) (c) 6. The county department or licensed child welfare agency under
13contract with the county department
agency shall, within 60 days after it receives
14a report from a person required under sub. (2) to report, inform the reporter what
15action, if any, was taken to protect the health and welfare of the child who is the
16subject of the report.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1709 17Section 1709. 48.981 (3) (c) 6m. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,820,1118 48.981 (3) (c) 6m. If a person who is not required under sub. (2) to report makes
19a report and is a relative of the child, other than the child's parent, that person may
20make a written request to the county department or licensed child welfare agency
21under contract with the county department
agency for information regarding what
22action, if any, was taken to protect the health and welfare of the child who is the
23subject of the report. A county department or licensed child welfare An agency that
24receives a written request under this subdivision shall, within 60 days after it
25receives the report or 20 days after it receives the written request, whichever is later,

1inform the reporter in writing of what action, if any, was taken to protect the health
2and welfare of the child, unless a court order prohibits that disclosure, and of the duty
3to keep the information confidential under sub. (7) (e) and the penalties for failing
4to do so under sub. (7) (f). The county department or licensed child welfare agency
5may petition the court ex parte for an order prohibiting that disclosure and, if the
6county department or licensed child welfare agency does so, the time period within
7which the information must be disclosed is tolled on the date the petition is filed and
8remains tolled until the court issues a decision. The court may hold an ex parte
9hearing in camera and shall issue an order granting the petition if the court
10determines that disclosure of the information would not be in the best interests of the
11child.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1710 12Section 1710. 48.981 (3) (c) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,820,2213 48.981 (3) (c) 7. The county department or, in a county having a population of
14500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
15with the department
shall cooperate with law enforcement officials, courts of
16competent jurisdiction, tribal governments and other human service services
17agencies to prevent, identify and treat child abuse and neglect. The county
18department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
19or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
shall
20coordinate the development and provision of services to abused and neglected
21children and to families where abuse or neglect has occurred or to children and
22families where circumstances justify a belief that abuse or neglect will occur.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1711 23Section 1711. 48.981 (3) (c) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,821,1224 48.981 (3) (c) 8. Using the format prescribed by the department, each county
25department shall provide the department with information about each report that

1it the county department receives or that is received by a licensed child welfare
2agency that is under contract with the county department and about each
3investigation it that the county department or a licensed child welfare agency under
4contract with the county department conducts. Using the format prescribed by the
5department, a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
6shall provide the department with information about each report that the child
7welfare agency receives and about each investigation that the child welfare agency
8conducts.
This information shall be used by the department to monitor services
9provided by county departments or licensed child welfare agencies under contract
10with county departments or the department. The department shall use
11nonidentifying information to maintain statewide statistics on child abuse and
12neglect, and for planning and policy development.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1712 13Section 1712. 48.981 (3) (c) 9. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,821,1514 48.981 (3) (c) 9. The county agency may petition for child abuse restraining
15orders and injunctions under s. 48.25 (6).
AB100-engrossed, s. 1713 16Section 1713. 48.981 (3) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,821,2417 48.981 (3) (cm) Contract with licensed child welfare agencies. A county
18department may contract with a licensed child welfare agency to fulfill its the county
19department's
duties specified under par. (c) 1., 2. b., 5., 6., 6m. and 8. The department
20may contract with a licensed child welfare agency to fulfill the department's duties
21specified under par. (c) 1., 2. a., 3., 4., 5., 6., 6m., 7., 8. and 9. in a county having a
22population of 500,000 or more.
The confidentiality provisions specified in sub. (7)
23shall apply to any licensed child welfare agency with which a county department or
24the department
contracts.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1714 25Section 1714. 48.981 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,822,7
148.981 (3) (d) Independent investigation. 1. In this paragraph, "agent"
2includes, but is not limited to, a foster parent, treatment foster parent or other person
3given custody of a child or a human services professional employed by a county
4department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 or by a child welfare agency who is working with
5the child under contract with or under the supervision of the department in a county
6having a population of 500,000 or more or a
county department under s. 46.215 or
746.22.
AB100-engrossed,823,28 2. If an agent or employe of a county department or licensed child welfare
9agency under contract with the county department
an agency required to investigate
10under this subsection is the subject of a report, or if the county department or
11licensed child welfare agency under contract with the county department
agency
12determines that, because of the relationship between the county department or
13licensed child welfare agency under contract with the county department
agency and
14the subject of a report, there is a substantial probability that the county department
15or licensed child welfare agency under contract with the county department
agency
16would not conduct an unbiased investigation, the county department or licensed
17child welfare agency under contract with the county department
agency shall, after
18taking any action necessary to protect the child, notify the department. Upon receipt
19of the notice, the department, in a county having a population of less than 500,000
20or a county department or child welfare agency designated by the department in any
21county
shall conduct an independent investigation. If the department designates a
22county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, that county
23department shall conduct the independent investigation. If a licensed child welfare
24agency agrees to conduct the independent investigation, the department may
25designate that the child welfare agency to do so. The powers and duties of the

1department or designated county department or child welfare agency making an
2independent investigation are those given to county departments under par. (c).
AB100-engrossed, s. 1715 3Section 1715. 48.981 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,823,124 48.981 (5) Coroner's report. Any person or official required to report cases of
5suspected child abuse or neglect who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child
6died as a result of child abuse or neglect shall report the fact to the appropriate
7medical examiner or coroner. The medical examiner or coroner shall accept the
8report for investigation and shall report the findings to the appropriate district
9attorney,; to the department, or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more,
10to a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department; to
the county
11department and, if the institution making the report initially is a hospital, to the
12hospital.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1716 13Section 1716. 48.981 (7) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,823,1814 48.981 (7) (a) (intro.) All reports made under this section, notices provided
15under sub. (3) (bm) and records maintained by the department, county departments
16or licensed child welfare agencies under contract with the county departments
an
17agency
and other persons, officials and institutions shall be confidential. Reports
18and records may be disclosed only to the following persons:
AB100-engrossed, s. 1717 19Section 1717. 48.981 (7) (a) 1m. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,824,220 48.981 (7) (a) 1m. A reporter described in sub. (3) (c) 6m. who makes a written
21request to the county department or licensed child welfare agency under contract
22with the county department
an agency for information regarding what action, if any,
23was taken to protect the health and welfare of the child who is the subject of the
24report, unless a court order under sub. (3) (c) 6m. prohibits disclosure of that
25information to that reporter, except that the only information that may be disclosed

1is information in the record regarding what action, if any, was taken to protect the
2health and welfare of the child who is the subject of the report.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1718 3Section 1718. 48.981 (7) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,824,64 48.981 (7) (a) 2. Appropriate staff of the department, a county department or
5licensed child welfare agency under contract with the county departments,
an
6agency
or a tribal social services department.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1719 7Section 1719. 48.981 (7) (a) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,824,128 48.981 (7) (a) 5. A professional employe of a county department under s. 51.42
9or 51.437 who is working with the child under contract with or under the supervision
10of the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22 or, in a county having a population
11of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
12with the department
.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1720 13Section 1720. 48.981 (7) (a) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,824,1614 48.981 (7) (a) 6. A multidisciplinary child abuse and neglect team recognized
15by the county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the
16department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1721 17Section 1721. 48.981 (7) (a) 6m. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,824,2318 48.981 (7) (a) 6m. A person employed by a child advocacy center recognized by
19the county board or, the county department or, in a county having a population of
20500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
21with the department
, to the extent necessary to perform the services for which the
22center is recognized by the county board or, the county department, the department
23or the licensed child welfare agency
.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1722 24Section 1722. 48.981 (7) (a) 8. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,825,2
148.981 (7) (a) 8. A law enforcement officer or law enforcement agency or a
2district attorney for purposes of investigation or prosecution.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1723 3Section 1723. 48.981 (7) (a) 11. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,825,74 48.981 (7) (a) 11. The county corporation counsel or district attorney
5representing the interests of the public, the agency legal counsel and the counsel or
6guardian ad litem representing the interests of a child in proceedings under subd.
710., 10g or 10j.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1724 8Section 1724. 48.981 (7) (a) 11r. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,825,159 48.981 (7) (a) 11r. A volunteer appointed or person employed by a
10court-appointed special advocate program recognized by the county board or the
11county department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the
12department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
,
13to the extent necessary to perform the advocacy services in proceedings related to a
14petition under s. 48.13 for which the court-appointed special advocate program is
15recognized by the county board or, county department or department.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1725 16Section 1725. 48.981 (7) (a) 13. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,825,1917 48.981 (7) (a) 13. The department, a county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e)
18or (hm)
or a licensed child welfare agency ordered to conduct a screening or an
19investigation of a stepparent under s. 48.88 (2) (c).
AB100-engrossed, s. 1726 20Section 1726. 48.981 (7) (a) 15. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,825,2321 48.981 (7) (a) 15. A child fatality review team recognized by the county
22department or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
23or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department
.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1727 24Section 1727. 48.981 (7) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,826,2
148.981 (7) (cm) A county An agency may disclose information from its records
2for use in proceedings under s. 48.25 (6), 813.122 or 813.125.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1728 3Section 1728. 48.981 (7) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,826,64 48.981 (7) (d) The department may have access to any report or record
5maintained by a county department or licensed child welfare agency under contract
6with a county department
an agency under this section.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1729 7Section 1729. 48.981 (8) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,826,218 48.981 (8) (a) The department and, the county departments and a licensed
9child welfare agency under contract with the department in a county having a
10population of 500,000 or more
to the extent feasible shall conduct continuing
11education and training programs for staff of the department, the county
12departments, a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department or
13a county department,
and the tribal social services departments, persons and
14officials required to report, the general public and others as appropriate. The
15programs shall be designed to encourage reporting of child abuse and neglect, to
16encourage self-reporting and voluntary acceptance of services and to improve
17communication, cooperation and coordination in the identification, prevention and
18treatment of child abuse and neglect. The department and , the county departments
19and a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department in a county
20having a population of 500,000 or more
shall develop public information programs
21about child abuse and neglect.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1730 22Section 1730. 48.981 (8) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,827,423 48.981 (8) (c) In meeting its responsibilities under par. (a) or (b), the
24department or, a county department or a licensed child welfare agency under
25contract with the department in a county having a population of 500,000 or more
may

1contract with any public or private organization which meets the standards set by
2the department. In entering into the contracts the department or, county
3department or licensed child welfare agency shall give priority to parental
4organizations combating child abuse and neglect.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1731 5Section 1731. 48.981 (8) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,827,116 48.981 (8) (d) 1. Each county department or licensed child welfare agency
7under contract with a county department
agency staff member and supervisor whose
8responsibilities include investigation or treatment of child abuse and neglect shall
9successfully complete training in child abuse and neglect protective services
10approved by the department. The department shall monitor compliance with this
11subdivision according to rules promulgated by the department.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1732 12Section 1732. 48.981 (8) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,827,1713 48.981 (8) (d) 2. Each year the department shall make available training
14programs that permit intake workers and county department or licensed child
15welfare agency under contract with a county department
agency staff members and
16supervisors to satisfy the requirements under subd. 1. and s. 48.06 (1) (am) 3. and
17(2) (c).
AB100-engrossed, s. 1733 18Section 1733. 48.981 (10) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,827,2119 48.981 (10) Current list of tribal agents. The department shall annually
20provide to each county department agency described in sub. (3) (bm) (intro.) a current
21list of all tribal agents in the state.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1733m 22Section 1733m. 48.982 (2) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,828,223 48.982 (2) (d) Solicit and accept contributions, grants, gifts and bequests for the
24children's trust fund or for any other purpose for which a contribution, grant, gift or
25bequest is made and received. Moneys received under this paragraph may be

1deposited in the appropriation accounts under s. 20.433 (1) (i), (q) or (r). This
2paragraph does not apply to moneys received under s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 6.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1734 3Section 1734. 48.982 (2) (g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,828,54 48.982 (2) (g) (intro.) In coordination with the departments of health and social
5services and education public instruction:
AB100-engrossed, s. 1734m 6Section 1734m. 48.982 (2m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,828,107 48.982 (2m)Donation uses. (intro.) If money is accepted by the board for the
8children's trust fund or for any other purpose under sub. (2) (d), except moneys
9received under s. 341.14 (6r) (b) 6.,
the board shall use the money in accordance with
10the wishes of the donor to do any of the following:
AB100-engrossed, s. 1735 11Section 1735. 48.985 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,828,1912 48.985 (1) Federal program operations. From the appropriation under s.
1320.435 (3) (n), the department shall expend not more than $543,700 $273,700 in each
14fiscal year 1995-96 and not more than $543,700 in fiscal year 1996-97 of the moneys
15received under 42 USC 620 to 626 for the department's expenses in connection with
16administering the expenditure of funds received under 42 USC 620 to 626, for child
17welfare projects and services provided or purchased by the department,
and for child
18abuse and neglect independent investigations and for providing child-at-risk field
19training to counties
.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1736 20Section 1736. 48.985 (2) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 48.985 (2) and
21amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,829,322 48.985 (2) Community social and mental hygiene services. From the
23appropriation under s. 20.435 (7) (o), the department shall distribute not more than
24$3,919,800 in each $3,804,000 in fiscal year 1997-98 and not more than $3,734,000
25in fiscal year 1998-99
of the moneys received under 42 USC 620 to 626 to county

1departments under ss. 46.215, 46.22 and 46.23 for the provision or purchase of child
2welfare projects and services, for services to children and families and for
3family-based child welfare services.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1737 4Section 1737. 48.985 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,829,85 48.985 (3) Community youth and family aids. From the appropriation account
6under s. 20.410 (3) (oo) (ko), the department of corrections shall allocate, to county
7departments under ss. 46.215, 46.22 and 46.23 for the provision of services under s.
8301.26, not more than $1,100,000 in each fiscal year.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1738 9Section 1738. 49.025 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,829,1310 49.025 (2) (a) (intro.) If a county is eligible to receive a relief block grant in a
11year, the department shall pay to the county, in accordance with s. 49.031, from the
12appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (5) (bt), an amount for that year determined as
13follows:
AB100-engrossed, s. 1739 14Section 1739. 49.027 (2) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,829,1815 49.027 (2) (a) (intro.) If a county is eligible to receive a relief block grant in a
16year, the department shall pay to the county, in accordance with s. 49.031, from the
17appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (5) (bu), an amount for that year determined as
18follows:
AB100-engrossed, s. 1740 19Section 1740. 49.027 (2) (a) 1. d. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,829,2220 49.027 (2) (a) 1. d. The department shall multiply the amount determined
21under subd. 1. c. by the amount appropriated under s. 20.435 (1) (5) (bu) for relief
22block grants for that year.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1741 23Section 1741. 49.029 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB100-engrossed,830,624 49.029 (2) Amount and distribution of relief block grant. From the
25appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (5) (bs), the department shall distribute a relief

1block grant to each eligible tribal governing body in an amount and in a manner
2determined in accordance with rules promulgated by the department. The
3department shall promulgate the rules after consulting with all tribal governing
4bodies eligible for a relief block grant. In promulgating rules under this section, the
5department shall consider each tribe's economic circumstances and need for health
6care services.
AB100-engrossed, s. 1741m 7Section 1741m. 49.114 of the statutes is created to read:
AB100-engrossed,830,14 849.114 Contract powers of the department. (1) Religious organizations;
9legislative purpose.
The purpose of this section is to allow the department to
10contract with, or award grants to, religious organizations, under any program
11administered by the department, on the same basis as any other nongovernmental
12provider without impairing the religious character of such organizations, and
13without diminishing the religious freedom of beneficiaries of assistance funded
14under such program.
AB100-engrossed,830,23 15(2) Nondiscrimination against religious organizations. If the department is
16authorized under ch. 16 to contract with a nongovernmental entity, or is authorized
17to award grants to a nongovernmental entity, religious organizations are eligible, on
18the same basis as any other private organization, as contractors under any program
19administered by the department so long as the programs are implemented consistent
20with the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and article I, section 18, of the
21Wisconsin Constitution. Except as provided in sub. (10), the department may not
22discriminate against an organization that is or applies to be a contractor on the basis
23that the organization has a religious character.
AB100-engrossed,831,3 24(3) Religious character and freedom. (a) The department shall allow a
25religious organization with which the department contracts or to which the

1department awards a grant to retain its independence from state and local
2governments, including the organization's control over the definition, development,
3practice and expression of its religious beliefs.
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