AB599: Bill Text

AB599, s. 69 Section 69. 48.38 (5) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,34,23 48.38 (5) (c) 2. The extent of compliance with the permanency case plan by the agency and any other service providers, the child's parents, the child and the child's guardian, if any.

AB599, s. 70 Section 70. 48.38 (5) (c) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,35,4 48.38 (5) (c) 5. The date by which it is likely that the child will be returned to his or her home or placed for adoption, with a guardian, with a fit and willing relative, or in some other alternative planned permanent placement living arrangement in which the child is in a long-term relationship with an adult.

AB599, s. 71 Section 71. 48.38 (5) (c) 6. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,35,13 48.38 (5) (c) 6. (intro.) If the child has been placed outside of his or her home, as described in s. 48.365 (1), in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children and youth, or shelter care facility for 15 of the most recent 22 months, not including any period during which the child was a runaway from the out-of-home placement or the first 6 months of any period during which the child was returned to his or her home for a trial home visit reunification, the appropriateness of the permanency case plan and the circumstances which prevent the child from any of the following:

AB599, s. 72 Section 72. 48.38 (5) (c) 6. d. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,35,18 48.38 (5) (c) 6. d. Being placed in some other alternative planned permanent placement living arrangement in which the child is in a long-term relationship with an adult, including sustaining care, independent living, or long-term foster care, but not including independent living.

AB599, s. 73 Section 73. 48.38 (5) (c) 6m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB599,35,24 48.38 (5) (c) 6m. If the case plan calls for concurrent planning, as defined in s. 48.355 (2b) (a), the appropriateness, in light of the standards established by the department, of each of the permanency goals of the concurrent plan. If the court or panel does not approve of any one or more of those goals, the court or panel must include in its determinations under this paragraph the reasons for that disapproval.

AB599, s. 74 Section 74. 48.38 (5) (c) 7. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,36,3 48.38 (5) (c) 7. Whether reasonable efforts were made by the agency to achieve the goal of the permanency case plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement,.

AB599, s. 75 Section 75. 48.38 (5) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,36,20 48.38 (5) (d) Notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), the agency that prepared the permanency case plan shall, at least 5 days before a review by a review panel, provide to each person appointed to the review panel, the child's parent, guardian, and legal custodian, the person representing the interests of the public, the child's counsel, the child's guardian ad litem, the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe a copy of the permanency case plan and any written comments submitted under par. (bm) 1. Notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), a person appointed to a review panel, the person representing the interests of the public, the child's counsel, the child's guardian ad litem, the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe may have access to any other records concerning the child for the purpose of participating in the review. A person permitted access to a child's records under this paragraph may not disclose any information from the records to any other person.

AB599, s. 76 Section 76. 48.38 (5m) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,36,22 48.38 (5m) (title) Permanency Case plan hearing.

AB599, s. 77 Section 77. 48.38 (5m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,37,3 48.38 (5m) (a) The court shall hold a hearing to review the permanency case plan and to make the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) no later than 12 months after the date on which the child was first removed from the home and every 12 months after a previous hearing under this subsection for as long as the child is placed outside the home.

AB599, s. 78 Section 78. 48.38 (5m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,37,17 48.38 (5m) (b) Not less than 30 days before the date of the hearing, the court shall notify the child; the child's parent, guardian, and legal custodian; and the child's foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the child is living, or the relative with whom the child is living; of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing, of the issues to be determined at the hearing, and of the fact that they shall have a right to be heard at the hearing as provided in par. (c) 1. and shall notify the child's counsel, the child's guardian ad litem, and the child's court-appointed special advocate; the agency that prepared the permanency case plan; the person representing the interests of the public; and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe of the date, time, and place, and purpose of the hearing, of the issues to be determined at the hearing, and of the fact that they may have an opportunity to be heard at the hearing as provided in par. (c) 1.

AB599, s. 79 Section 79. 48.38 (5m) (c) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,38,8 48.38 (5m) (c) 2. If the child's permanency case plan includes a statement under sub. (4) (i) indicating that the child's age and developmental level are sufficient for the court to consult with the child regarding the child's permanency case plan or if, notwithstanding a decision under sub. (4) (i) that it would not be appropriate for the court to consult with the child, the court determines that consultation with the child would be in the best interests of the child, the court shall consult with the child, in an age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate manner, regarding the child's permanency case plan and any other matters the court finds appropriate. If none of those circumstances apply, the court may permit the child's caseworker, the child's counsel, or, subject to s. 48.235 (3) (a), the child's guardian ad litem to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, expressing the child's wishes, goals, and concerns regarding the permanency case plan and those matters. If the court permits such a written or oral statement to be made or submitted, the court may nonetheless require the child to be physically present at the hearing.

AB599, s. 80 Section 80. 48.38 (5m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,38,23 48.38 (5m) (d) At least 5 days before the date of the hearing the agency that prepared the permanency case plan shall provide a copy of the permanency case plan and any written comments submitted under par. (c) 1. to the court, to the child's parent, guardian, and legal custodian, to the person representing the interests of the public, to the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, to the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, to the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe. Notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), the person representing the interests of the public, the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside of the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe may have access to any other records concerning the child for the purpose of participating in the review. A person permitted access to a child's records under this paragraph may not disclose any information from the records to any other person.

AB599, s. 81 Section 81. 48.38 (5m) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,39,17 48.38 (5m) (e) After the hearing, the court shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law relating to the determinations under sub. (5) (c) and shall provide a copy of those findings of fact and conclusions of law to the child; the child's parent, guardian, and legal custodian; the child's foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the child is living, or the relative with whom the child is living; the child's court-appointed special advocate; the agency that prepared the permanency case plan; the person representing the interests of the public; and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe. The court shall make the findings specified in sub. (5) (c) 7. on a case-by-case basis based on circumstances specific to the child and shall document or reference the specific information on which those findings are based in the findings of fact and conclusions of law prepared under this paragraph. Findings of fact and conclusions of law that merely reference sub. (5) (c) 7. without documenting or referencing that specific information in the findings of fact and conclusions of law or amended findings of fact and conclusions of law that retroactively correct earlier findings of fact and conclusions of law that do not comply with this paragraph are not sufficient to comply with this paragraph.

AB599, s. 82 Section 82. 48.38 (5m) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,39,23 48.38 (5m) (f) If the findings of fact and conclusions of law under par. (e) conflict with the child's dispositional order or provide for any additional services not specified in the dispositional order, the court shall revise the dispositional order under s. 48.363 or, order a change in placement under s. 48.357, or order a trial reunification under s. 48.358, as appropriate.

AB599, s. 83 Section 83. 48.38 (6) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,39,25 48.38 (6) (a) Procedures for conducting permanency case plan reviews.

AB599, s. 84 Section 84. 48.38 (6) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,40,2 48.38 (6) (d) The format for permanency case plans and review panel reports.

AB599, s. 85 Section 85. 48.417 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,40,12 48.417 (1) (a) The child has been placed outside of his or her home, as described in s. 48.365 (1) or 938.365 (1), in a foster home, group home, nonsecured residential care center for children and youth, or shelter care facility for 15 of the most recent 22 months, not including any period during which the child was a runaway from the out-of-home placement or the first 6 months of any period during which the child was returned to his or her home for a trial home visit reunification. If the circumstances specified in this paragraph apply, the petition shall be filed or joined in by the last day of the 15th month, as described in this paragraph, for which the child was placed outside of his or her home.

AB599, s. 86 Section 86. 48.417 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,40,16 48.417 (2) (b) The child's permanency case plan indicates and provides documentation that termination of parental rights to the child is not in the best interests of the child.

AB599, s. 87 Section 87. 48.417 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,40,23 48.417 (2) (c) The agency primarily responsible for providing services to the family under a court order, if required under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 6. to make reasonable efforts to make it possible for the child to return safely to his or her home, has not provided to the family of the child, consistent with the time period in the child's permanency case plan, the services necessary for the safe return of the child to his or her home.

AB599, s. 88 Section 88. 48.417 (2) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,41,6 48.417 (2) (cm) In the case of an Indian child, the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the Indian child and the family under a court order, if required under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 6v. to make active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 2. to prevent the breakup of the Indian child's family, has not provided to the Indian child's family, consistent with the child's permanency case plan, the services necessary to prevent the breakup of the Indian child's family.

AB599, s. 89 Section 89. 48.425 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,41,18 48.425 (1) (c) If the child has been previously adjudicated to be in need of protection and services, a statement of the steps the agency or person responsible for provision of services has taken to remedy the conditions responsible for court intervention and the parent's response to and cooperation with these services. If the child has been removed from the home, the report shall also include a statement of the reasons why the child cannot be returned safely to the family and the steps the person or agency has taken to effect this return. If a permanency case plan has previously been prepared for the child, the report shall also include specific information showing that the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the child's permanency case plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement.

AB599, s. 90 Section 90. 48.43 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,42,2 48.43 (1) (c) If an agency receives custody of the child under par. (a), the child's permanency case plan prepared under s. 48.38 by the agency. If a permanency case plan has not been prepared at the time the order is entered, or if the court enters an order that is not consistent with the permanency case plan, the agency shall prepare a permanency case plan that is consistent with the order or revise the permanency case plan to conform to the order and shall file the plan with the court within 60 days from the date of the order.

AB599, s. 91 Section 91. 48.43 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,42,14 48.43 (1) (cm) If a permanency case plan has previously been prepared for the child, a finding as to whether the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to achieve the goal of the child's permanency case plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement. The court shall make the findings specified in this paragraph on a case-by-case basis based on circumstances specific to the child and shall document or reference the specific information on which those findings are based in the order. An order that merely references this paragraph without documenting or referencing that specific information in the order or an amended order that retroactively corrects an earlier order that does not comply with this paragraph is not sufficient to comply with this paragraph.

AB599, s. 92 Section 92. 48.43 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,42,19 48.43 (2) (b) A relative whose relationship to the child is derived through the parent whose parental rights are terminated is considered to be a relative of the child for purposes of placement of, and permanency case planning for, the child until that relationship is extinguished by an order of adoption as provided in s. 48.92 (2).

AB599, s. 93 Section 93. 48.43 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,43,4 48.43 (5) (a) If the custodian specified in sub. (1) (a) is an agency, the agency shall report to the court on the status of the child at least once each year until the child is adopted or reaches 18 years of age, whichever is sooner. The agency shall file an annual report no less than 30 days before the anniversary of the date of the order. An agency may file an additional report at any time if it determines that more frequent reporting is appropriate. A report shall summarize the child's permanency case plan and the recommendations of the review panel under s. 48.38 (5), if any, and shall describe any progress that has been made in finding a permanent placement for the child.

AB599, s. 94 Section 94. 48.43 (5) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,43,11 48.43 (5) (b) 1. The court shall hold a hearing to review the permanency case plan within 30 days after receiving a report under par. (a). At least 10 days before the date of the hearing, the court shall provide notice of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing to the agency that prepared the report, the child's guardian, the child, and the child's foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the child is living, or the relative with whom the child is living.

AB599, s. 95 Section 95. 48.43 (5) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,44,2 48.43 (5) (b) 2. If the child's permanency case plan includes a statement under s. 48.38 (4) (i) indicating that the child's age and developmental level are sufficient for the court to consult with the child regarding the child's permanency case plan or if, notwithstanding a decision under s. 48.38 (4) (i) that it would not be appropriate for the court to consult with the child, the court determines that consultation with the child would be in the best interests of the child, the court shall consult with the child, in an age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate manner, regarding the child's permanency case plan and any other matters the court finds appropriate. If none of those circumstances apply, the court may permit the child's caseworker, the child's counsel, or, subject to s. 48.235 (3) (a), the child's guardian ad litem to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, expressing the child's wishes, goals, and concerns regarding the permanency case plan and those matters. If the court permits such a written or oral statement to be made or submitted, the court may nonetheless require the child's presence at the hearing.

AB599, s. 96 Section 96. 48.43 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,44,16 48.43 (5) (c) Following the hearing, the court shall make all of the determinations specified under s. 48.38 (5) (c), except the determinations relating to the child's parents. The court may amend the order under sub. (1) to transfer the child's guardianship and custody to any agency specified under s. 48.427 (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am) that consents to the transfer, if the court determines that the transfer is in the child's best interest. If an Indian child's guardianship and custody are transferred under this paragraph, the agency consenting to the transfer shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c) in placing the child, unless the agency finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. If an order is amended, the agency that prepared the permanency case plan shall revise the plan to conform to the order and shall file a copy of the revised plan with the court. Each plan filed under this paragraph shall be made a part of the court order.

AB599, s. 97 Section 97. 48.43 (5m) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,44,23 48.43 (5m) Either the court or the agency that prepared the permanency case plan shall furnish a copy of the original plan and each revised plan to the child, if he or she is 12 years of age or over, to the child's guardian, to the child's foster parent or, the operator of the facility in which the child is living, or the relative with whom the child is living, and, if the order under sub. (1) involuntarily terminated parental rights to an Indian child, to the Indian child's tribe.

AB599, s. 98 Section 98. 48.63 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,45,11 48.63 (4) A permanency case plan under s. 48.38 is required for each child placed in a foster home under sub. (1). If the child is living in a foster home under a voluntary agreement, the agency that negotiated or acted as intermediary for the placement shall prepare the permanency case plan within 60 days after the date on which the child was removed from his or her home under the voluntary agreement. A copy of each plan shall be provided to the child if he or she is 12 years of age or over and to the child's parent, guardian, or Indian custodian. If the agency that arranged the voluntary placement intends to seek a court order to place the child outside of his or her home at the expiration of the voluntary placement, the agency shall prepare a revised permanency case plan and file that revised plan with the court prior to the date of the hearing on the proposed placement.

AB599, s. 99 Section 99. 48.63 (5) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,45,18 48.63 (5) (c) A permanency case plan under s. 48.38 is required for each child placed in a group home under par. (b) and for any child of that child who is residing with that child. The agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child shall prepare the plan within 60 days after the date on which the child was removed from his or her home under the voluntary agreement and shall provide a copy of the plan to the child and the child's parent, guardian, or Indian custodian.

AB599, s. 100 Section 100. 48.63 (5) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,45,22 48.63 (5) (d) 1. In this paragraph, "independent reviewing agency" means a person contracted with under subd. 2. to review permanency case plans and placements under subds. 3. to 6.

AB599, s. 101 Section 101. 48.63 (5) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,46,3 48.63 (5) (d) 2. An agency that places children under par. (b) or that arranges those placements shall contract with another agency licensed under s. 48.61 (3) to place children or with a county department to review the permanency case plans and placements of those children and of any children of those children who are residing with those children as provided in subds. 3. to 6.

AB599, s. 102 Section 102. 48.63 (5) (d) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,46,20 48.63 (5) (d) 3. If the agency that has placed a child under par. (b) or that has arranged the placement of the child wishes to extend the placement of the child, the agency shall prepare a revised permanency case plan for that child and for any child of that child who is residing with that child and submit the revised permanency case plan or plans, together with a request for a review of the revised permanency case plan or plans and the child's placement, to the independent reviewing agency before the expiration of the child's placement. The request shall include a statement that an extension of the child's placement would be in the best interests of the child, together with reliable and credible information in support of that statement, a statement that the child and the parent, guardian, or Indian custodian of the child consent to the extension of the child's placement, and a request that the independent reviewing agency approve an extension of the child's placement. On receipt of a revised permanency case plan or plans and a request for review, the independent reviewing agency shall set a time and place for the review and shall advise the agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child of the time and place of the review.

AB599, s. 103 Section 103. 48.63 (5) (d) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,47,6 48.63 (5) (d) 4. Not less than 10 days before the review, the agency that placed the child or that arranged the placement of the child shall provide a copy of the revised permanency case plan or plans and the request for review submitted under subd. 3. and notice of the time and place of the review to the child, the parent, guardian, Indian custodian, and legal custodian of the child, and the operator of the group home in which the child is placed, together with notice of the issues to be determined as part of the permanency case plan review and notice of the fact that those persons shall have a right to be heard at the review by submitting written comments to that agency or the independent reviewing agency before the review or by participating at the review.

AB599, s. 104 Section 104. 48.63 (5) (d) 6. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,47,13 48.63 (5) (d) 6. Within 30 days after the review, the agency that prepared the revised permanency case plan or plans shall prepare a written summary of the determinations specified in s. 48.38 (5) (c) that were made under subd. 5. and shall provide a copy of that summary to the independent reviewing agency, the child, the parent, guardian, Indian custodian, and legal custodian of the child, and the operator of the group home in which the child was placed.

AB599, s. 105 Section 105. 48.831 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,47,23 48.831 (4) (e) The court shall order the custodian appointed under par. (b) or (c) to prepare a permanency case plan under s. 48.38 for the child within 60 days after the date of the order. A permanency case plan ordered under this paragraph is subject to review under s. 48.38 (5). In preparing a permanency case plan, the department, county department or child welfare agency need not include any information specified in s. 48.38 (4) that relates to the child's parents or returning the child to his or her home. In reviewing a permanency case plan, a court or panel need not make any determination under s. 48.38 (5) (c) that relates to the child's parents or returning the child to his or her home.

AB599, s. 106 Section 106. 48.834 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,48,6 48.834 (1) Placement with relatives. Before placing a child for adoption under s. 48.833, the department, county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), or child welfare agency making the placement shall consider the availability of a placement for adoption with a relative of the child who is identified in the child's permanency case plan under s. 48.38 or 938.38 or who is otherwise known by the department, county department, or child welfare agency.

AB599, s. 107 Section 107. 48.834 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,48,22 48.834 (2) Placement with siblings. If a child who is being placed for adoption under s. 48.833 has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been adopted or who have been placed for adoption, the department, county department under s. 48.57 (1) (e) or (hm), or child welfare agency making the placement shall make reasonable efforts to place the child for adoption with an adoptive parent or proposed adoptive parent of such a sibling who is identified in the child's permanency case plan under s. 48.38 or 938.38 or who is otherwise known by the department, county department, or child welfare agency, unless the department, county department, or child welfare agency determines that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings, in which case the department, county department, or child welfare agency shall make reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the child and the siblings, unless the department, county department, or child welfare agency determines that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings.

AB599, s. 108 Section 108. 48.977 (3r) of the statutes, as affected by 2011 Wisconsin Act 32, is amended to read:

AB599,49,17 48.977 (3r) Subsidized guardianship. Subsidized guardianship payments under s. 48.623 (1) may not be made to a guardian of a child unless a subsidized guardianship agreement under s. 48.623 (2) is entered into before the guardianship order is granted and the court either terminates any order specified in sub. (2) (a) or dismisses any proceeding in which the child has been adjudicated in need of protection or services as specified in sub. (2) (a). If a child's permanency case plan calls for placement of the child in the home of a guardian and the provision of monthly subsidized guardianship payments to the guardian, the petitioner under sub. (4) (a) shall include in the petition under sub. (4) (b) a statement of the determinations made under s. 48.623 (1) and a request for the court to include in the court's findings under sub. (4) (d) a finding confirming those determinations. If the court confirms those determinations, appoints a guardian for the child under sub. (2), and either terminates any order specified in sub. (2) (a) or dismisses any proceeding in which the child is adjudicated to be in need of protection or services as specified in sub. (2) (a), the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, department shall provide monthly subsidized guardianship payments to the guardian under s. 48.623 (1).

AB599, s. 109 Section 109. 48.977 (4) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,50,6 48.977 (4) (e) Court report. For a child who has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home for 6 months or longer, the court shall order the person or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order to file with the court a report containing the written summary under s. 48.38 (5) (e) and as much information relating to the appointment of a guardian as is reasonably ascertainable. For a child who has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home for less than 6 months, the court shall order the person or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order to file with the court the report submitted under s. 48.33 (1) or 938.33 (1), the permanency case plan prepared under s. 48.38 or 938.38, if one has been prepared, and as much information relating to the appointment of a guardian as is reasonably ascertainable. The agency shall file the report at least 48 hours before the date of the dispositional hearing under par. (fm).

AB599, s. 110 Section 110. 48.977 (4) (i) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,50,10 48.977 (4) (i) Effect of disposition on permanency case plan review process. After a disposition under par. (h), the child's permanency case plan shall continue to be reviewed under s. 48.38 (5), if applicable.

AB599, s. 111 Section 111. 49.471 (4) (a) 4. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,50,17 49.471 (4) (a) 4. a. The individual is a parent or caretaker relative of a child who is living in the home with the parent or caretaker relative or who is temporarily absent from the home for not more than 6 months or, if the child has been removed from the home for more than 6 months, the parent or caretaker relative is working toward unifying the family by complying with a permanency case plan under s. 48.38 or 938.38.

AB599, s. 112 Section 112. 49.471 (4) (b) 4. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB599,50,24 49.471 (4) (b) 4. a. The individual is a parent or caretaker relative of a child who is living in the home with the parent or caretaker relative or who is temporarily absent from the home for not more than 6 months or, if the child has been removed from the home for more than 6 months, the parent or caretaker relative is working toward unifying the family by complying with a permanency case plan under s. 48.38 or 938.38.

AB599, s. 113 Section 113. 146.82 (2) (a) 18m. of the statutes is amended to read: