LRB-1817/1
PJK:wj:rs
2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE
March 18, 2005 - Introduced by Joint Legislative Council. Referred to
Committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long Term Care.
SB123,4,4 1An Act to repeal 767.02 (title), 767.05 (title) and (1), 767.05 (2) (title), 767.078
2(title), 767.09 (title), 767.11 (15), 767.14, 767.145 (title) and (1), 767.19 (title),
3767.23 (1g), 767.24 (9), 767.253 (title), 767.265 (title), 767.29 (1) (f), 767.293,
4767.295 (title), 767.325 (9), 767.327 (7), 767.39 (title), 767.39 (2), 767.42,
5767.455 (5g), 767.455 (5r), 767.455 (5w), 767.457 (title), 767.457 (2), 767.458 (1)
6(a) to (e) and 767.465 (2m) (b); to renumber 767.001 (3) and (4), 767.025 (2) and
7(4), 767.03 (title), 767.05 (7), 767.07 (title), 767.085 (4), 767.19 (2), 767.20,
8767.23 (1m), 767.24 (title), 767.24 (1) (title), 767.266, 767.305 (title), 767.32 (2r),
9767.455 (title) and (1) to (4), 767.456, 767.458 (title), 767.465 (2m) (c), (3) and
10(4), 767.466 and 767.48 (title); to renumber and amend 767.01 (3), 767.015,
11767.02 (1), 767.02 (2), 767.025 (title), 767.025 (intro.), 767.025 (1), 767.027,
12767.03, 767.04, 767.045, 767.05 (1m), 767.05 (2), 767.05 (3), 767.05 (4), 767.05
13(5), 767.05 (6), 767.07, 767.075, 767.077, 767.078 (1), 767.078 (2), 767.08,
14767.081, 767.082, 767.083, 767.085 (title), 767.085 (1), 767.085 (2), 767.085

1(2m) and (3), 767.087, 767.09 (1) and (2), 767.10, 767.11 (title) and (1), 767.11
2(2) to (14), 767.115 (title), 767.115 (1) (a), 767.115 (1) (b), 767.115 (1m), (2) and
3(3), 767.115 (4), 767.12 (title) and (1), 767.12 (2) and (3), 767.125, 767.145 (2),
4767.15, 767.19 (1), 767.21, 767.22, 767.23 (title) and (1), 767.23 (1n), 767.23 (2),
5767.23 (3), 767.24 (1), 767.24 (1m) to (8), 767.242, 767.245, 767.247, 767.25
6(title) and (1) to (4), 767.25 (4m), 767.25 (5) to (7), 767.253, 767.254, 767.255,
7767.26, 767.261, 767.262, 767.263, 767.265 (1), 767.265 (1m) to (7m), 767.265
8(8), 767.267, 767.27 (title), (1), (1m) and (2), 767.27 (2m), 767.27 (3), (4) and (5),
9767.275, 767.28, 767.29 (title), 767.29 (1) (a), (b) and (c), 767.29 (1) (d) and (dm),
10767.29 (1) (e), 767.29 (1m) to (4), 767.295 (1) and (2) (a), 767.295 (2) (b) and (c),
11767.30, 767.303 (title), 767.303 (1), 767.303 (2) to (5), 767.305, 767.31, 767.32
12(title), 767.32 (1) (a), 767.32 (1) (b), (c) and (d), 767.32 (1m), 767.32 (1r), 767.32
13(2), 767.32 (2m), 767.32 (2s), 767.32 (2w), 767.32 (3), 767.32 (4), 767.32 (5),
14767.325 (intro.) and (1) to (5), 767.325 (5m), 767.325 (6) to (8), 767.327 (title) and
15(1) to (6), 767.329, 767.33, 767.37 (title), 767.37 (1) (a), 767.37 (1) (c), 767.37 (2),
16767.37 (3), 767.38, 767.39 (1), 767.40, 767.45, 767.455 (5), 767.455 (6), 767.457
17(1), 767.458 (1) (intro.), 767.458 (1m) to (3), 767.459 (title), 767.459, 767.46,
18767.463, 767.465 (title), (1), (1m), (2) and (2m) (title) and (a), 767.47, 767.475,
19767.477, 767.48 (1) (a), 767.48 (1) (b) and (1m) to (7), 767.50, 767.51, 767.52,
20767.53, 767.60 and 767.62; to amend 46.21 (5) (b), 48.988 (11), 48.989 (2), 69.15
21(3) (b) 1., 69.15 (3) (b) 3., 767.01 (1), 767.16, 808.075 (4) (d) 13. and 814.615 (1)
22(a) (intro.) and (2); and to create subchapter I (title) of chapter 767 [precedes
23767.001], 767.001 (1b), 767.005, 767.01 (2) (title), subchapter II (title) of chapter
24767 [precedes 767.105], 767.117 (1) (title) and (3) (title), 767.127 (3) (title),
25767.17, subchapter III (title) of chapter 767 [precedes 767.201], 767.201,

1767.205 (title), 767.215 (4) (title), 767.215 (5), 767.225 (3m) (title), 767.235 (3)
2(title), 767.241 (1) (title), (2) (title), (3) (title) and (4) (title), 767.264 (title),
3767.281 (2) (title) and (4) (title), subchapter IV (title) of chapter 767 [precedes
4767.301], 767.313 (2), 767.315 (title), 767.34 (2) (title), subchapter V (title) of
5chapter 767 [precedes 767.401], 767.401 (1) (title) and (2) (title), 767.405 (1)
6(intro.), 767.43 (1) (title), (1m) (title), (2) (title), (2m) (title), (3) (title), (3c) (title),
7(3m) (title), (5) (title) and (6) (title), 767.481 (8), subchapter VI (title) of chapter
8767 [precedes 767.501], 767.501 (1) (title) and (2) (title), 767.501 (4), 767.511 (1)
9(c), (1g) (title), (1j) (title), (1m) (title), (1n) (title), (2) (title), (3) (title) and (4)
10(title), 767.513 (title), (4) (title) and (5) (title), 767.55 (title), (2) (title) and (3)
11(title), 767.553 (1) (title), (4) (title) and (5) (title), 767.57 (1) (title), (1e) (title) and
12(4) (title), 767.58 (2) (title), 767.59 (1k), 767.59 (2) (title), subchapter VII (title)
13of chapter 767 [precedes 767.61], 767.61 (2) (title) and (3) (title), 767.61 (4), (5)
14and (6), subchapter VIII (title) of chapter 767 [precedes 767.70], 767.71, 767.73
15(1) (title), (4) (title) and (5) (title), 767.75 (title), (2m) (title), (3m) (title), (6m)
16(title), (7) (title) and (7m) (title), 767.76 (2) (title), (3) (title), (4) (title) and (6)
17(title), 767.77 (4) (title), subchapter IX of chapter 767 [precedes 767.80], 767.80
18(2) (title), (3) (title), (4) (title), (5) (title), (6) (title) and (6r) (title), 767.805 (1m),
19767.813 (5) (b) and (c), 767.813 (5g), 767.814, 767.815 (1) (title) and (2) (title),
20767.82 (1) (title), (2) (title), (3) (title), (4) (title), (5) (title), (6) (title), (7) (title) and
21(8) (title), 767.83 (2) (title), 767.84 (1) (title), 767.84 (1) (a) 2., 767.84 (1m) (title),
22(2) (title), (3) (title), (5) (title), (6) (title) and (7) (title), 767.85 (1) (title), 767.853
23(1) (title) and (2) (title), 767.863 (3) (title), 767.865 (1) (title), 767.865 (1) (b),
24767.865 (2), 767.87 (1) (title), (1m) (title), (2) (title), (2m) (title), (4) (title), (5)
25(title), (6) (title), (7) (title), (8) (title), (9) (title), (10) (title) and (11) (title), 767.88

1(2) (title), (3) (title), (4) (title), (5) (title) and (6) (title), 767.883 (2) (title), 767.89
2(1) (title), (3) (title), (3m) (title), (4) (title) and (7) (title) and 767.893 (2) (b) 2.
3of the statutes; relating to: reorganizing and revising chapter 767 of the
4statutes.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
This bill is explained in the Notes provided by the Joint Legislative Council in
the bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
Joint Legislative Council prefatory note: This bill was developed by the Joint
Legislative Council's Special Committee on Recodification of Ch. 767, Actions Affecting
the Family. The special committee was directed to recodify ch. 767, stats., including
possible reorganization of the chapter in a logical manner, renumbering and retitling
sections, consolidating related provisions, modernizing language, resolving ambiguities
in language, codifying court decisions, and making minor substantive changes.
General topics covered by ch. 767 include: annulment, divorce, and legal
separation; child custody, physical placement, and visitation; support, including child
support; spousal maintenance; property division; and paternity. The chapter was last
recodified in the 1959 legislative session. See ch. 595, laws of 1959. Since that
recodification, the chapter has expanded considerably, both in the number of individual
provisions and the length of the chapter. The expansion of the chapter has resulted in
a disorganized chapter, which can be difficult to use.
This bill:
(1) Reorganizes ch. 767 by:
a. Creating 9 subchapters and relocating provisions within the chapter.
b. Reorganizing individual sections, or portions of sections, by combining
them with other sections, dividing single sections into 2 or more sections,
and internally reorganizing single sections.
(2) Makes nonsubstantive editorial changes to modernize language and for
consistency with current drafting style.
(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.
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