Joint Legislative Council prefatory note: This bill is recommended by the joint
legislative council's special committee on guardians ad litem in actions affecting the
family. The special committee was directed to study the appointment, role, supervision,
training, and compensation of guardians ad litem (GALs), and to make legislative
recommendations and petition the Wisconsin supreme court regarding proposed changes
that are more appropriate for supreme court rules.
This bill does the following:
1. Clarifies the current statutory provision governing GAL compensation to
provide that when parties are ordered to pay GAL compensation, they may be ordered to
pay the GAL directly, pay into an escrow account from which the GAL will be paid, or
reimburse the county if it has paid the GAL's compensation. Also, the bill allows the court
to order the county to pay a GAL's compensation if either party is indigent.
2. Permits a court to order income withholding to collect GAL fees or fees for
mediation and custody and physical placement studies.
3. Requires the clerk of court to provide parties with instructions for completing
and filing a parenting plan when they file a petition or receive a summons for an action
affecting the family. The bill also provides that a mediator must review the nonfinancial
provisions of the parenting plan at the initial session of mediation.
The bill draft requires parties to file a parenting plan with the court within 60 days
after the court waives the requirement that the parties attend mediation or within 60
days after the mediator notifies the court that the parties have not reached an agreement,
unless the court orders otherwise.
4. Requires parties to an action affecting the family in which a minor child is
involved to attend a parent education program that includes at least four hours of
instruction or training on the effects of divorce on a child; working together in the best
interest of the child; parenting or coparenting skills; the consequences of stipulating to
a custody and placement arrangement and of resolution of disputes by the court;
available mediation; current law relating to custody and physical placement; current law
relating to GALs and the duties and responsibilities of a GAL; and the potential costs
associated with an action affecting the family.
The bill provides that the court or circuit court commissioner (CCC) may elect not
to order attendance at a parent education program or may order the parties to attend
separate sessions of the program if the court or CCC determines that attending the
program or attending the program with the other party would cause undue hardship or
endanger the health or safety of one of the parties.
If attendance at the program is ordered, the court or CCC may require attendance
as a condition to the granting of a final judgment or order in the action. In addition, the
court or CCC may refuse to hear a custody or physical placement motion of a party who
refuses to attend the program.
AB244, s. 1 1Section 1. 20.921 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB244,3,22 20.921 (2) (a) Whenever it becomes necessary in pursuance of any federal or
3state law or court-ordered assignment of income under s. 46.10 (14) (e), 301.12 (14)
4(e), 767.045 (6) (b), 767.23 (1) (L), 767.25 (4m) (c) or, 767.265, or 814.615 (3) to make
5deductions from the salaries of state officers or employees or employees of the
6University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, the state agency or
7authority by which the officers or employees are employed is responsible for making

1such deductions and paying over the total thereof for the purposes provided by the
2laws or orders under which they were made.
Note: Section 1 amends current law relating to income-withholding orders
applicable to state employees to include cross-references to the provisions amended in
Sections 4 and 34.
AB244, s. 2 3Section 2. 102.27 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB244,3,64 102.27 (2) (a) A benefit under this chapter is assignable under s. 46.10 (14) (e),
5301.12 (14) (e), 767.045 (6) (b), 767.23 (1) (L), 767.25 (4m) (c) or, 767.265 (1) or (2m) ,
6or 814.615 (3)
.
Note: Section 2 amends current law relating to worker's compensation to provide
that such claims may be assigned under the provisions contained in Sections 4 and 34.
AB244, s. 3 7Section 3. 767.045 (6) of the statutes is renumbered 767.045 (6) (a) and
8amended to read:
AB244,4,29 767.045 (6) (a) The guardian ad litem shall be compensated at a rate that the
10court determines is reasonable. The court shall order either or both parties to pay
11all or any part of the compensation of the guardian ad litem. In addition, upon motion
12by the guardian ad litem, the court shall order either or both parties to pay the fee
13for an expert witness used by the guardian ad litem, if the guardian ad litem shows
14that the use of the expert is necessary to assist the guardian ad litem in performing
15his or her functions or duties under this chapter. If both parties are The order may
16direct either or both parties to pay the guardian ad litem directly, to place payments
17in an escrow account in an amount estimated to be sufficient to pay the guardian ad
18litem's compensation and expert witness fees, or to reimburse the county of venue for
19any payments made by the county to the guardian ad litem. If either party is

20indigent, the court may direct that the county of venue pay the compensation and
21fees for that party. If the court orders a county to pay the compensation of the

1guardian ad litem, the amount ordered may not exceed the compensation paid to
2private attorneys under s. 977.08 (4m) (b).
AB244,4,7 3(c) The court may order a separate judgment for the amount of the
4reimbursement in favor of the county and against the party or parties responsible
5for the reimbursement, or for the amount of the compensation and fees in favor of the
6guardian ad litem and against the party or parties responsible for payment of the
7compensation and fees
.
AB244,4,9 8(d) The court may enforce its orders under this subsection by means of its
9contempt power.
Note: Section 3 provides that when parties are ordered to pay GAL compensation,
they may be ordered to pay the GAL directly, pay into an escrow account from which the
GAL will be paid, or reimburse the county if it has paid the GAL's compensation.
Section 3 also provides that if either party is indigent, the court may direct the
county to pay the GAL compensation and fees for that party. Under current law, the court
may order the county to pay only if both parties are indigent.
AB244, s. 4 10Section 4. 767.045 (6) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,4,1711 767.045 (6) (b) In directing the manner of payment of compensation and fees
12to the guardian ad litem or of reimbursement to the county, the court may order that
13the payment amount be withheld from income and sent to the guardian ad litem or
14that the reimbursement amount be withheld from income and sent to the county
15treasurer, as provided in s. 767.265 (3j) (a). If the court orders income withholding
16and assignment for payment of compensation and fees or for reimbursement, the
17court shall send notice of assignment in the manner provided under s. 767.265 (2r).
Note: Under Section 4, the court may order that the amount of GAL compensation
and fees may be withheld from a party's income and sent to the GAL directly or to the
county treasurer to reimburse the county.
AB244, s. 5 18Section 5. 767.07 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB244,5,3
1767.07 (1) The requirements of this chapter as to residence and marriage
2assessment counseling
attendance at the educational program under s. 767.115 (1)
3(a)
have been complied with;
Note: Section 5 provides that a court must grant a judgment of divorce or legal
separation if, along with other conditions, the requirements of ch. 767, stats., as to
residence and attendance at the parent education program under s. 767.115 (1) (a), stats.,
have been complied with.
AB244, s. 6 4Section 6. 767.085 (2) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,5,75 767.085 (2) (c) The clerk of court shall provide, without charge, to each person
6filing a petition instructions for completing and filing a parenting plan under s.
7767.24 (1m).
AB244, s. 7 8Section 7. 767.085 (2m) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,5,119 767.085 (2m) (a) 3. Shall be accompanied by instructions, provided without
10charge by the clerk of court, for completing and filing a parenting plan under s.
11767.24 (1m).
Note: Sections 6 and 7 require the clerk of court to provide instructions for
completing and filing a parenting plan to each person who files a petition or receives a
summons initiating an action affecting the family.
AB244, s. 8 12Section 8. 767.11 (8) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB244,5,1713 767.11 (8) (c) The initial session under par. (a) shall be a screening and
14evaluation mediation session to determine whether mediation is appropriate and
15whether both parties wish to continue in mediation. At the initial session, the
16mediator shall review with the parties the nonfinancial provisions that must be
17included in the parenting plan under s. 767.24 (1m).
Note: Section 8 requires the mediator to review with the parties at the initial
session of mediation the nonfinancial provisions that must be included in the parenting
plan.
AB244, s. 9 18Section 9. 767.115 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB244,6,2
1767.115 (title) Educational programs and classes program in actions
2affecting the family.
AB244, s. 10 3Section 10. 767.115 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 767.115 (1) (a) (intro.)
4and amended to read:
AB244,6,125 767.115 (1) (a) (intro.) At any time during During the pendency of an action
6affecting the family in which a minor child is involved and in which the court or
7circuit court commissioner determines that it is appropriate and in the best interest
8of the child
, the court or circuit court commissioner, on its own motion, may shall
9order the parties to attend a program, specified by the court or circuit court
10commissioner concerning the effects on a child of a dissolution of the marriage., that
11provides instruction on or training in any of the following that the court or circuit
12court commissioner determines is appropriate in the particular case:
AB244, s. 11 13Section 11. 767.115 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,6,1414 767.115 (1) (a) 1. The effects of divorce on a child.
AB244, s. 12 15Section 12. 767.115 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,6,1616 767.115 (1) (a) 2. Working together in the best interest of the child.
AB244, s. 13 17Section 13. 767.115 (1) (a) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,6,1818 767.115 (1) (a) 3. Parenting or coparenting skills or both.
AB244, s. 14 19Section 14. 767.115 (1) (a) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,6,2120 767.115 (1) (a) 4. The consequences of stipulating to a custody and placement
21arrangement and of resolution of disputes by the court.
AB244, s. 15 22Section 15. 767.115 (1) (a) 5. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,6,2323 767.115 (1) (a) 5. Available mediation under s. 767.11.
AB244, s. 16 24Section 16. 767.115 (1) (a) 6. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,6,2525 767.115 (1) (a) 6. The provisions of s. 767.24.
AB244, s. 17
1Section 17. 767.115 (1) (a) 7. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,7,32 767.115 (1) (a) 7. The provisions of s. 767.045 and the duties and
3responsibilities of a guardian ad litem in representing the best interest of a child.
AB244, s. 18 4Section 18. 767.115 (1) (a) 8. of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,7,65 767.115 (1) (a) 8. The potential costs of an action affecting the family, including
6all of the following:
AB244,7,77 a. The cost of representation by an attorney.
AB244,7,88 b. Mediation fees.
AB244,7,99 c. Legal custody and physical placement study fees under s. 814.615.
AB244,7,1110 d. Guardian ad litem fees and expenses and fees and expenses ordered under
11s. 767.045 (6) of any expert witness used to assist the guardian ad litem.
AB244,7,1312 e. The costs of mental or physical examinations of a party under s. 804.10, if
13applicable, including the costs for preparing a written report or court testimony.
AB244,7,1414 f. Any other costs, fees, or expenses that may be incurred during litigation.
AB244, s. 19 15Section 19. 767.115 (1) (b) of the statutes is repealed.
Note: Under current law, at any time when an action affecting the family in which
a minor child is involved is pending, and in which the court or CCC determines that it is
appropriate and in the best interests of the child, the court or CCC may order the parties
to attend a program concerning the effects on a child of a dissolution of the marriage.
Sections 9 to 19 require the court or CCC to order the parties to an action affecting
the family in which a minor child is involved to attend a program that provides instruction
on or training in any of the following that the court or CCC determines is appropriate in
the particular case:
a. The effects of divorce on a child.
b. Working together in the best interest of the child.
c. Parenting or coparenting skills, or both.
d. The consequences of stipulating to a custody and placement arrangement and
of resolution of disputes by the court.
e. Available mediation under s. 767.11, stats.
f. Current law relating to child custody and physical placement.
g. Current law relating to GALs and the duties and responsibilities of a GAL in
representing the best interest of a child.
h. The potential costs of an action affecting the family, including: representation
by an attorney; mediation fees; custody and physical placement study fees; fees and
expenses of a GAL and any expert witness ordered to assist the GAL; the costs of mental

or physical examinations of a party; and any other costs, fees, or expenses that may be
incurred during litigation.
AB244, s. 20 1Section 20. 767.115 (1) (bm) of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,8,102 767.115 (1) (bm) In the discretion of the court or circuit court commissioner, the
3parties may not be required to attend a program under par. (a) or may be required
4to attend separate sessions of the program if the court or circuit court commissioner
5finds that attending such a program or attending such a program with the other
6party would cause undue hardship or endanger the health or safety of one of the
7parties. In making a determination of whether attending a program under par. (a)
8or attending the program with the other party would endanger the health or safety
9of one of the parties, the court or circuit court commissioner shall consider the
10following:
AB244,8,1211 1. Evidence that a party engaged in abuse, as defined in s. 813.122 (1) (a), of
12the child, as defined in s. 48.02 (2).
AB244,8,1413 2. Evidence of interspousal battery, as described under s. 940.19 or 940.20 (1m),
14or domestic abuse, as defined in s. 813.12 (1) (am).
AB244,8,1615 3. Evidence that either party has a significant problem with alcohol or other
16drug abuse.
AB244,8,1917 4. Any other evidence indicating that a party's health or safety will be
18endangered by attending a program or by attending the program with the other
19party.
Note: Under Section 20, the parties to an action affecting the family may not be
required to attend the parent education program or may be required to attend separate
sessions of the program if the court or CCC finds that attending such a program or
attending such a program with the other party would cause undue hardship or endanger
the health or safety of one of the parties. In making this determination, the court or CCC
must consider evidence that a party engaged in child abuse; evidence of spousal battery
or domestic abuse; evidence that either party has a significant problem with alcohol or
other drug abuse; or any other evidence that a party's health or safety will be endangered
by attending a program or by attending the program with the other party.
AB244, s. 21
1Section 21. 767.115 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB244,9,82 767.115 (1m) A program under sub. (1) (a) shall be educational rather than
3therapeutic in nature and may not exceed a total of shall include at least 4 hours in
4length
of instruction or training. The parties shall be responsible for the cost, if any,
5of attendance at the program. The court or circuit court commissioner may
6specifically assign responsibility for payment of any cost. No facts or information
7obtained in the course of the program, and no report resulting from the program, is
8admissible in any action or proceeding.
Note: Under current law, the parent education program may not exceed four hours
in length. Section 21 amends current law to provide that the program must include at
least four hours of instruction or training.
AB244, s. 22 9Section 22. 767.115 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 767.115 (2) (a) and
10amended to read:
AB244,9,1511 767.115 (2) (a) Notwithstanding s. 767.07 Except as provided in par. (b), the
12court or circuit court commissioner may require the parties to an action affecting the
13family in which a minor child is involved
to attend a program under sub. (1) (a) as
14a condition to the granting of a final judgment or order in the action affecting the
15family that is pending before the court or circuit court commissioner.
AB244, s. 23 16Section 23. 767.115 (2) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,9,2117 767.115 (2) (b) If the parties were not ordered to attend a program under sub.
18(1) (a) because the court or circuit court commissioner found under sub. (1) (bm) that
19attending would cause undue hardship or endanger the health or safety of one of the
20parties, the court or circuit court commissioner may not condition the granting of the
21final judgment or order in the action affecting the family on attending a program.
Note: Under Sections 22 and 23, a court or CCC may require the parties to an
action affecting the family in which a minor child is involved to attend a parent education
program as a condition to the granting of a final judgment unless the parties were not
ordered to attend a parent education program.
AB244, s. 24
1Section 24. 767.115 (2) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
AB244,10,42 767.115 (2) (c) The court or circuit court commissioner may refuse to hear a
3custody or physical placement motion of a party who refuses to attend a program
4ordered under sub. (1) (a).
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