(3) Revises section titles, where appropriate, and provides subsection titles
throughout the chapter.
(4) Repeals several provisions considered no longer necessary.
(5) Makes substantive changes the special committee concluded are relatively
noncontroversial.
The special committee explicitly intends that, unless expressly noted, this bill
makes no substantive changes in the statutory provisions treated by the bill. Substantive
changes in the bill are identified in notes to the provisions substantively affected. If a
question arises about the effect of any modification made by this bill, the special
committee intends that the revisions in this bill be construed to have the same effect as
the prior statutes.
Some of the notes to paternity-related provisions treated by the bill include
references to the "paternity reform committee." That committee was established by the
family law section of the State Bar of Wisconsin. The committee's report to the family law

section board was approved by the board in May 2000. Several of the committee's
recommendations are included in this bill.
For convenience, a table of contents listing all section numbers of reorganized ch.
767 and the newly created subchapters is included in this prefatory note. Also, a finding
aid is included at the end of this bill identifying the treatment by this bill of current
statutory provisions within ch. 767.
The remainder of this note consists of the table of contents for reorganized ch. 767: - See PDF for table PDF
SB123, s. 1 1Section 1. 46.21 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB123,8,32 46.21 (5) (b) Sections 46.10, 49.08, 49.90, and 301.12 and 767.42 govern the
3support and maintenance of persons in any of the institutions specified in sub. (2) (a).
Note: Reflects the repeal of s. 767.42 by Sec. 182 of this bill.
SB123, s. 2 4Section 2. 48.988 (11) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB123,8,105 48.988 (11) Financial responsibility for any child placed under the interstate
6compact on the placement of children shall be determined in accordance with sub.
7(5) in the first instance. However, in the event of partial or complete default of
8performance thereunder, the provisions of s. 49.90 or 767.42, ch. 769, or any other
9applicable state law fixing responsibility for the support of children also may be
10invoked.
Note: Reflects the repeal of s. 767.42 by Sec. 182 of this bill.
SB123, s. 3 11Section 3. 48.989 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB123,8,1712 48.989 (2) Financial responsibility. Financial responsibility for any child
13placed under the provisions of the interstate compact on the placement of children
14shall be determined in accordance with ss. 48.60 (4) (b) and 48.988 (5). In the event
15of partial or complete default of performance under the compact, the provisions of s.
1649.90 or 767.42, ch. 769, or any other applicable state law fixing responsibility for the
17support of children may also be invoked.
Note: Reflects the repeal of s. 767.42 by Sec. 182 of this bill.
SB123, s. 4 18Section 4. 69.15 (3) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB123,9,719 69.15 (3) (b) 1. Except as provided under par. (c), if the state registrar receives
20a statement acknowledging paternity on a form prescribed by the state registrar and

1signed by both of the birth parents of a child determined to be a marital child under
2s. 767.60 767.803, a certified copy of the parents' marriage certificate, and the fee
3required under s. 69.22 (5) (b) 1., the state registrar shall insert the name of the
4husband from the marriage certificate as the father if the name of the father was
5omitted on the original birth certificate. The state registrar shall include on the form
6for the acknowledgment a notice of the information in s. 767.458 (1) (a) to (e) the
7items in s. 767.813 (5g)
.
SB123, s. 5 8Section 5. 69.15 (3) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB123,9,199 69.15 (3) (b) 3. Except as provided under par. (c), if the state registrar receives
10a statement acknowledging paternity on a form prescribed by the state registrar and
11signed by both parents, and by a parent or legal guardian of any parent who is under
12the age of 18 years, along with the fee under s. 69.22, the state registrar shall insert
13the name of the father under subd. 1. The state registrar shall mark the certificate
14to show that the form is on file. The form shall be available to the department of
15workforce development or a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) pursuant
16to the program responsibilities under s. 49.22 or to any other person with a direct and
17tangible interest in the record. The state registrar shall include on the form for the
18acknowledgment a notice of the information in ss. 767.458 (1) (a) to (e) and 767.62
19s. 767.805 and the items in s. 767.813 (5g).
SB123, s. 6 20Section 6. Subchapter I (title) of chapter 767 [precedes 767.001] of the statutes
21is created to read:
SB123,9,2222 chapter 767
SB123,9,2523 subchapter i
24 definitions, scope, jurisdiction,
25 and recognition of judgments
SB123, s. 7
1Section 7. 767.001 (1b) of the statutes is created to read:
SB123,10,42 767.001 (1b) "Court" includes the circuit court commissioner when the circuit
3court commissioner has been authorized by law to exercise the authority of the court
4or has been delegated that authority as authorized by law.
Note: Permits substitution of "court" for "court or circuit court commissioner" or
"judge or circuit court commissioner" as the latter appears in ch. 767. Separate references
to "supplemental court commissioner" in ch. 767 are retained.
SB123, s. 8 5Section 8. 767.001 (3) and (4) of the statutes are renumbered 767.405 (1) (a)
6and (b).
Note: Relocates definitions of "mediation" and "mediator" in the current general
definitions section of ch. 767 to the section in the chapter relating to family court services.
With the exception of 2 cross-references to the terms in other sections in this chapter, this
is the only section in the chapter in which those terms appear.
SB123, s. 9 7Section 9. 767.005 of the statutes is created to read:
SB123,10,8 8767.005 Scope. This chapter applies to actions affecting the family.
Note: Explicitly states what is implicit in current ch. 767. Note that the term
"action affecting the family" is now a defined term in the definitions section. See Sec. 15
of this bill.
SB123, s. 10 9Section 10 . 767.01 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB123,10,1710 767.01 (1) Generally. The circuit courts have jurisdiction of all actions
11affecting the family and have authority to do all acts and things necessary and proper
12in such those actions and to carry their orders and judgments into execution as
13prescribed in this chapter. All actions affecting the family shall be commenced and
14conducted and the orders and judgments enforced according to these statutes in
15respect to actions in circuit court, as far as applicable, except as provided in this
16chapter
Except as provided in subs. (2) and (2m), jurisdiction may be exercised as
17provided under ch. 801
.
Note: 1. The substance of the stricken sentence is relocated to s. 767.201, in subch.
III, general procedure.
2. The underscored sentence restates part of current s. 767.05 (1), stats., which is
repealed by Sec. 26 of this bill. Current s. 767.05 (1) provides: "A court of this state having
jurisdiction to hear actions affecting the family may exercise jurisdiction as provided

under ch. 769 or 801.". Reference to ch. 769 is already included in current s. 767.01 (2),
stats.
SB123, s. 11 1Section 11. 767.01 (2) (title) of the statutes is created to read:
SB123,11,22 767.01 (2) (title) Paternity and child support.
SB123, s. 12 3Section 12. 767.01 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 767.80 (1m) and amended
4to read:
SB123,11,85 767.80 (1m) Venue. An action under s. 767.45 this section may be brought in
6the county in which the child or the alleged father resides or is found or, if the father
7is deceased, in which proceedings for probate of his estate have been or could be
8commenced.
SB123, s. 13 9Section 13. 767.015 of the statutes is renumbered 767.01 (2m), and 767.01
10(2m) (title), as renumbered, is amended to read:
SB123,11,1111 767.01 (2m) (title) Child custody jurisdiction.
Note: Combines s. 767.015 with s. 767.01, which currently and under this bill
contains jurisdiction provisions.
SB123, s. 14 12Section 14 . 767.02 (title) of the statutes is repealed.
SB123, s. 15 13Section 15 . 767.02 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 767.001 (1), and 767.001
14(1) (intro.) and (k), as renumbered, are amended to read:
SB123,11,1615 767.001 (1) (intro.) Actions " Action affecting the family are" means any of the
16following actions
:
SB123,11,1917 (k) Concerning periods of physical placement or visitation rights to children,
18including an action to prohibit a move with or the removal of a child under s. 767.327
19767.481 (3) (c).
Note: Relocates s. 767.02 (1), which currently delineates those actions comprising
"actions affecting the family," into the general definitions section for ch. 767.
SB123, s. 16 20Section 16. 767.02 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 767.001 (1f) and amended
21to read:
SB123,12,2
1767.001 (1f) "Divorce" means divorce from the bonds of matrimony or absolute
2divorce, when used in this chapter
dissolution of the marriage relationship.
Note: Modernizes the definition of "divorce" and relocates the definition into the
general definitions section for ch. 767.
SB123, s. 17 3Section 17. 767.025 (title) of the statutes is renumbered 767.281 (title) and
4amended to read:
SB123,12,6 5767.281 (title) Filing procedures and orders for enforcement or
6modification of judgments or orders
in actions affecting the family.
SB123, s. 18 7Section 18. 767.025 (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 767.281 (1) and
8amended to read:
SB123,12,119 767.281 (1) Applicability. The following filing procedures shall apply This
10section applies
to all enforcement or modification petitions, motions or orders to show
11cause filed for actions affecting the family under s. 767.02 767.001 (1) (i):.
SB123, s. 19 12Section 19. 767.025 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 767.281 (1m) and
13amended to read:
SB123,13,214 767.281 (1m) Generally. Except as provided in sub. (2), if a petition, motion,
15or order to show cause requesting enforcement or modification of a judgment or order
16in an action affecting the family which that was granted by a court of this state is filed
17in a county other than the county in which the judgment or order was rendered, the
18petitioner or party bringing the motion or order to show cause shall send a copy of
19the petition, motion, or order to show cause and summons to the clerk of the court
20in which the judgment or order was rendered. If a question arises as to which court
21should exercise jurisdiction, a conference involving both judges, all counsel, and
22guardians ad litem may be convened under s. 807.13 (3) to resolve the question. The
23petitioner shall send a copy of any order rendered pursuant to this the petition,

1motion, or order to show cause to the clerk of the court in which the original judgment
2or order was rendered.
SB123, s. 20 3Section 20. 767.025 (2) and (4) of the statutes are renumbered 767.281 (2) and
4(4).
SB123, s. 21 5Section 21. 767.027 of the statutes is renumbered 767.70, and 767.70 (title),
6(1) (intro.) and (b) and (2), as renumbered, are amended to read:
SB123,13,11 7767.70 (title) Notice Child support enforcement: notice and service of
8process
requirements. (1) When satisfied. (intro.) In any an action under s.
9767.02 767.001 (1) (i) to enforce or modify a judgment or order with respect to child
10support, due process requirements related to notice and service of process are
11satisfied to the extent that if the court finds all of the following:
Note: Clarifies that the provision applies to actions to modify child support orders
and judgments.
SB123,13,1412 (b) That written notice of the action to the respondent has been delivered to the
13most recent residential address or employer address provided by the respondent
14under s. 767.263 767.58 (2) to the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5).
SB123,13,20 15(2) Rules on locating respondent. The department shall promulgate rules
16that specify specifying the process that the department will use under sub. (1) (a) to
17ascertain the location of the respondent. Notwithstanding sub. (1) (b), the process
18specified in the rules shall utilize all reasonable means to which the department has
19access, including electronic means, interfaces with other programs , and information
20provided by the postmaster, for determining the current address of the respondent.
SB123, s. 22 21Section 22. 767.03 (title) of the statutes is renumbered 767.313 (title).
SB123, s. 23 22Section 23 . 767.03 of the statutes is renumbered 767.313 (1), and 767.313 (1)
23(intro.), as renumbered, is amended to read:
SB123,14,4
1767.313 (1) Grounds; when suit may be brought. (intro.) No marriage may be
2annulled or held void except pursuant to judicial proceedings. No marriage may be
3annulled after the death of either party to the marriage.
A court may annul a
4marriage entered into under upon any of the following circumstances grounds:
Note: The stricken sentences are relocated to new s. 767.313 (2), created by Sec.
145 of this bill.
SB123, s. 24 5Section 24. 767.04 of the statutes is renumbered 767.18 and amended to read:
SB123,14,10 6767.18 Actions to affirm marriage. When If the validity of any a marriage
7shall be is denied or doubted by either of the parties the other party may commence
8an action to affirm the marriage, and the. The judgment in such an action to affirm
9marriage
shall declare such the marriage valid or annul the same marriage, and be
10is conclusive upon all persons concerned.
SB123, s. 25 11Section 25. 767.045 of the statutes, as affected by 2003 Wisconsin Act 130, is
12renumbered 767.407, and 767.407 (1) (am) 1., (c) and (e), (2) and (4), as renumbered,
13are amended to read:
SB123,14,1614 767.407 (1) (am) 1. Legal custody or physical placement is contested in an
15action to modify legal custody or physical placement under s. 767.325 767.451 or
16767.327 767.481.
SB123,14,2317 (c) The attorney responsible for support enforcement under s. 59.53 (6) (a) may
18request that the court or a circuit court commissioner appoint a guardian ad litem
19to bring an action or motion on behalf of a minor who is a nonmarital child whose
20paternity has not been acknowledged under s. 767.62 767.805 (1) or a substantially
21similar law of another state or adjudicated for the purpose of determining the
22paternity of the child, and the court or circuit court commissioner shall appoint a
23guardian ad litem, if any of the following applies:
SB123,15,4
11. Aid is provided under s. 46.261, 48.57 (3m) or (3n), 49.19 , or 49.45 on behalf
2of the child, or benefits are provided to the child's custodial parent under ss. 49.141
3to 49.161, but the state and its delegate under s. 49.22 (7) are barred by a statute of
4limitations from commencing an action under s. 767.45 767.80 on behalf of the child.
SB123,15,85 2. An application for legal services has been filed with the child support
6program under s. 49.22 on behalf of the child, but the state and its delegate under
7s. 49.22 (7) are barred by a statute of limitations from commencing an action under
8s. 767.45 767.80 on behalf of the child.
SB123,15,129 (e) Nothing in this subsection prohibits the court from making a temporary
10order under s. 767.23 767.225 that concerns the child before a guardian ad litem is
11appointed or before the guardian ad litem has made a recommendation to the court,
12if the court determines that the temporary order is in the best interest of the child.
SB123,15,17 13(2) Time for appointment. The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem under
14sub. (1) (a) 1. or (b) whenever the court deems it appropriate. The court shall appoint
15a guardian ad litem under sub. (1) (a) 2. at the time specified in s. 767.11 767.405 (12)
16(b), unless upon motion by a party or its own motion, the court determines that
17earlier appointment is necessary.
SB123,16,9 18(4) Responsibilities. The guardian ad litem shall be an advocate for the best
19interests of a minor child as to paternity, legal custody, physical placement, and
20support. The guardian ad litem shall function independently, in the same manner
21as an attorney for a party to the action, and shall consider, but shall not be bound by,
22the wishes of the minor child or the positions of others as to the best interests of the
23minor child. The guardian ad litem shall consider the factors under s. 767.24 767.41
24(5) (am), subject to s. 767.24 767.41 (5) (bm), and custody studies under s. 767.11
25767.405 (14). The guardian ad litem shall investigate whether there is evidence that

1either parent has engaged in interspousal battery, as described in s. 940.19 or 940.20
2(1m), or domestic abuse, as defined in s. 813.12 (1) (am), and shall report to the court
3on the results of the investigation. The guardian ad litem shall review and comment
4to the court on any mediation agreement and stipulation made under s. 767.11
5767.405 (12) and on any parenting plan filed under s. 767.24 767.41 (1m). Unless the
6child otherwise requests, the guardian ad litem shall communicate to the court the
7wishes of the child as to the child's legal custody or physical placement under s.
8767.24 767.41 (5) (am) 2. The guardian ad litem has none of the rights or duties of
9a general guardian.
SB123, s. 26 10Section 26 . 767.05 (title) and (1) of the statutes are repealed.
Note: The substance of this subsection is relocated to the general section on
jurisdiction. See Sec. 10 .
SB123, s. 27 11Section 27. 767.05 (1m) of the statutes is renumbered 767.301 and amended
12to read:
SB123,17,2 13767.301 Residence requirements. No action to affirm marriage or for
14annulment
under s. 767.02 767.001 (1) (a) or (b) may be brought unless at least one
15of the parties has been a bona fide resident of the county in which the action is
16brought for not less than 30 days next preceding the commencement of the action,
17or unless the marriage has been contracted within this state within one year prior
18to the commencement of the action. No action for divorce or legal separation under
19s. 767.02 767.001 (1) (c) or (d) may be brought unless at least one of the parties has
20been a bona fide resident of the county in which the action is brought for not less than
2130 days next preceding the commencement of the action. No action for divorce under
22s. 767.02 767.001 (1) (c) may be brought unless at least one of the parties has been

1a bona fide resident of this state for not less than 6 months next preceding the
2commencement of the action.
Note: The type of action to which the cross-references refer is included for
convenience.
SB123, s. 28 3Section 28. 767.05 (2) (title) of the statutes is repealed.
SB123, s. 29 4Section 29. 767.05 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 767.41 (1) (a) and
5amended to read:
SB123,17,136 767.41 (1) (a) Subject to ch. 822, the question of a child's custody may be
7determined as an incident of any action affecting the family or in an independent
8action for custody. The effect of any determination of a child's custody shall is not be
9binding personally against any parent or guardian unless the parent or guardian has
10been made personally subject to the jurisdiction of the court in the action as provided
11under ch. 801 or has been notified under s. 822.05, as provided in s. 822.12. Nothing
12in this section chapter may be construed to foreclose a person other than a parent
13who has physical custody of a child from proceeding under ch. 822.
SB123, s. 30 14Section 30. 767.05 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 767.205 (1) and amended
15to read:
SB123,17,2316 767.205 (1) Parties. The party initiating an action affecting the family shall
17be denominated
is the petitioner. The party responding to the action shall be
18denominated
is the respondent. All references to "plaintiff" in chs. 801 to 807 shall
19apply to the petitioner, and all references to "defendant" in chs. 801 to 807 shall apply
20to the respondent. Both parties together may initiate the petition together by signing
21and filing a joint petition. The parties to a joint petition shall be called are joint
22petitioners. The parties to a joint petition shall state within in the joint petition that
23both parties consent to personal jurisdiction and waive service of summons.
SB123, s. 31
1Section 31. 767.05 (4) of the statutes is renumbered 767.215 (2e) and amended
2to read:
SB123,18,53 767.215 (2e) Petition Relationship of petition to complaint. All references
4to a "complaint" in chs. 801 to 807 shall apply to petitions under s. 767.085 this
5section
.
SB123, s. 32 6Section 32 . 767.05 (5) of the statutes is renumbered 767.205 (3) and amended
7to read:
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