SB309: Bill Text

SB309,14,2 1. If reasonably possible to do so, consult with the child's parent concerning the child's participation in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities and the child's cultural, religious, and tribal values and advise the parent that those values will be considered, but will not necessarily be the determining factor, in making decisions concerning the child's participation in those activities.

SB309,14,5 2. Consult with the child in an age-appropriate manner about the opportunities of the child to participate in age or developmentally appropriate activities.

SB309,14,16 (b) At the time of placement of a child with an out-of-home care provider, the agency providing the information under par. (a) shall explain to the out-of-home care provider the parameters of the considerations that the out-of-home care provider is required to take into account when making decisions concerning the child's participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. In explaining those parameters, the agency shall explain the considerations and prohibitions specified in sub. (1) and shall advise the out-of-home care provider that in case of any disagreement over the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard, the agency having placement and care responsibility for the child is ultimately responsible for decisions concerning the care of the child.

SB309,14,25 (c) In preparing or revising the permanency plan for a child, the agency responsible for preparing or revising the permanency plan shall consult with the child and the child's parent as provided in par. (a) 1. and 2. At the time the permanency plan is prepared and each time the permanency plan is revised, that agency shall explain to the out-of-home care provider the parameters of the considerations that the out-of-home care provider is required to take into account when making decisions concerning the child's participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities as provided in par. (b).

SB309,15,1 (3) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

SB309,24 Section 24. 48.385 of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is renumbered 48.385 (intro.) and amended to read:

SB309,15,14 48.385 Plan for transition to independent living. (intro.) During the 90 days immediately before a child who is placed in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, or in a supervised independent living arrangement attains 18 years of age or, if the child is placed in such a placement under an order under s. 48.355, 48.357, or 48.365 that terminates under s. 48.355 (4) (b) after the child attains 18 years of age or under a voluntary transition-to-independent-living agreement under s. 48.366 (3) that terminates under s. 48.366 (3) (a) after the child attains 18 years of age, during the 90 days immediately before the termination of the order or agreement, the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under the order or agreement shall provide do all of the following:

SB309,15,20 (1) Transition plan. Provide the child with assistance and support in developing a plan for making the transition from out-of-home care to independent living. The transition plan shall be personalized at the direction of the child, shall be as detailed as the child directs, and shall include specific options for obtaining housing, health care, education, mentoring and continuing support services, and workforce support and employment services.

SB309,25 Section 25. 48.385 (2) of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,16,5 48.385 (2) Identification documents and other information. Except as provided in this subsection, ensure that the child is in possession of a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, a social security card issued by the federal social security administration, information on maintaining health care coverage, a copy of the child's health care records, and either an operator's license issued under ch. 343 or an identification card issued under s. 343.50. If the child is not in possession of any of those documents or that information, the agency shall assist the child in obtaining any missing document or information. This subsection does not apply to a child who has been placed in out-of-home care for less than 6 months.

SB309,26 Section 26. 48.427 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,16,11 48.427 (1) Any party may present evidence relevant to the issue of disposition, including expert testimony, and may make alternative dispositional recommendations to the court. After receiving any evidence related to the disposition, the court shall enter one of the dispositions specified under subs. (2) to (4) (3p) within 10 days.

SB309,27 Section 27. 48.427 (4) of the statutes is repealed.

SB309,28 Section 28. 48.427 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,16,19 48.427 (5) In placing an Indian child in a preadoptive placement following a transfer of guardianship and custody under sub. (3m) or (3p) or in placing an Indian child in sustaining care under sub. (4), the court or an agency specified in sub. (3m) (a) 1. to 4. or (am) shall comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court or agency finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

SB309,29 Section 29. 48.428 of the statutes is repealed.

SB309,30 Section 30. 48.43 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,17,3 48.43 (4) A certified copy of the order terminating parental rights shall be furnished by the court to the agency given guardianship for placement for adoption of the child or to the person or agency given custodianship or guardianship for placement of the child in sustaining care and to the person appointed as the guardian of the child under s. 48.977 (2). The court shall, upon request, furnish a certified copy of the child's birth certificate and a transcript of the testimony in the termination of parental rights hearing to the same person or agency.

SB309,31 Section 31. 48.43 (5) (b) 2m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,17,17 48.43 (5) (b) 2m. If the permanency goal of the child's permanency plan is placement of the child in a planned permanent living arrangement described in ss. 48.38 (4) (fg) 5., the agency that prepared the report shall present to the court specific information showing that intensive and ongoing efforts were made by the agency, including searching social media, to return the child to the child's home or to place the child for adoption, with a guardian, or with a fit and willing relative and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful and specific information showing the steps taken by the agency, including consultation with the child, to ascertain whether the child has regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities and to ensure that the child's caregiver is applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard to decisions concerning the child's participation in those activities. In addition, at the hearing the court shall consult with the child about the permanency outcome desired by the child.

SB309,32 Section 32. 48.481 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,18,2 48.481 (2) Transition to independent living a successful adulthood. The department shall distribute at least $231,700 in each fiscal year for the purpose of assisting individuals who attain the age of 18 while residing in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, or in a supervised independent living arrangement to make the transition from out-of-home care to independent living a successful adulthood. No county may use funds provided under this subsection to replace funds previously used by the county for this purpose.

SB309,33 Section 33. 48.627 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,18,5 48.627 (title) Foster and family-operated group home parent insurance and liability.

SB309,34 Section 34. 48.627 (1) of the statutes is repealed.

SB309,35 Section 35. 48.627 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,18,14 48.627 (2) (a) Before the department, a county department, or a licensed child welfare agency may issue, renew, or continue a foster home or family-operated group home license, the licensing agency shall require the applicant to furnish proof satisfactory to the licensing agency that he or she has homeowner's or renter's liability insurance that provides coverage for negligent acts or omissions by children placed in a foster home or family-operated group home that result in bodily injury or property damage to 3rd parties.

SB309,36 Section 36. 48.627 (2c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,18,23 48.627 (2c) The department shall determine the cost-effectiveness of purchasing private insurance that would provide coverage to foster and family-operated group home parents for acts or omissions by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home or a family-operated group home. If this private insurance is cost-effective and available, the department shall purchase the insurance from the appropriations under s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd). If the insurance is unavailable, payment of claims for acts or omissions by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home or a family-operated group home shall be in accordance with subs. (2m) to (3).

SB309,37 Section 37. 48.627 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,19,9 48.627 (2m) Within the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd), the department shall pay claims to the extent not covered by any other insurance and subject to the limitations specified in sub. (3), for bodily injury or property damage sustained by a licensed foster or family-operated group home parent or a member of the foster or family-operated group home parent's family as a result of the act of a child in the foster or family-operated group home parent's care or as a result of an act or omission of the foster parent in granting permission for a child in the foster parent's care to participate in an age or developmentally appropriate activity.

SB309,38 Section 38. 48.627 (2s) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,19,14 48.627 (2s) (a) Acts or omissions of the foster or family-operated group home parent that result in bodily injury to the child who is placed in the foster home or family-operated group home or that form the basis for a civil action for damages by the foster child's parent against the foster or family-operated group home parent.

SB309,39 Section 39. 48.627 (2s) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,19,18 48.627 (2s) (am) Acts or omission of the foster parent in granting permission for a child who is placed in the foster home to participate in an age or developmentally appropriate activity.

SB309,40 Section 40. 48.627 (2s) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,19,22 48.627 (2s) (b) Bodily injury or property damage caused by an act or omission of a child who is placed in the foster or family-operated group home parent's care for which the foster or family-operated group home parent becomes legally liable.

SB309,41 Section 41. 48.627 (3) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,20,4 48.627 (3) (b) A claim under sub. (2m) shall be submitted to the department within 90 days after the bodily injury or property damage occurs. A claim under sub. (2s) shall be submitted to the department within 90 days after a foster or family-operated group home parent learns that a legal action has been commenced against that parent. No claim may be paid under this subsection unless it is submitted within the time limits specified in this paragraph.

SB309,42 Section 42. 48.627 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,20,10 48.627 (3) (d) No claim may be approved in an amount exceeding the total amount available for paying claims under this subsection in the fiscal year during which the claim is submitted. No claim for property damage sustained by a foster or family-operated group home parent or a member of a foster or family-operated group home parent's family may be approved in an amount exceeding $250,000.

SB309,43 Section 43. 48.627 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,20,18 48.627 (3) (e) The department may not approve a claim unless the foster or family-operated group home parent submits with the claim evidence that is satisfactory to the department of the cause and value of the claim and evidence that insurance coverage is unavailable or inadequate to cover the claim. If insurance is available but inadequate, the department may approve a claim only for the amount of the value of the claim that it the department determines is in excess of the amount covered by insurance.

SB309,44 Section 44. 48.627 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,21,5 48.627 (3) (f) If the total amount of the claims approved during any calendar quarter exceeds 25% 25 percent of the total funds available during the fiscal year for purposes of this subsection plus any unencumbered funds remaining from the previous quarter, the department shall prorate the available funds among the claimants with approved claims. The department shall also prorate any unencumbered funds remaining in the appropriation under s. 20.437 (1) (cf) at the end of each fiscal year among the claimants whose claims were prorated during the fiscal year. Payment of a prorated amount from unencumbered funds remaining at the end of the fiscal year constitutes a complete payment of the claim for purposes of this program, but does not prohibit a foster parent or family-operated group home parent from submitting a claim under s. 16.007 for the unpaid portion.

SB309,45 Section 45. 48.627 (3) (h) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,21,12 48.627 (3) (h) If a claim by a foster or family-operated group home parent or a member of the foster or family-operated group home parent's family is approved, the department shall deduct from the amount approved $100 less any amount deducted by an insurance company from a payment for the same claim, except that a foster or family-operated group home parent and his or her family are subject to only one deductible for all claims filed in a fiscal year.

SB309,46 Section 46. 48.627 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,21,19 48.627 (4) Except as provided in s. 895.485, the department is not liable for any act or omission by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home or family-operated group home, but shall, as provided in this section, pay claims described under sub. (2m) and may pay claims described under sub. (2s) or may purchase insurance to cover such claims as provided for under sub. (2c), within the limits of the appropriations under s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and (pd).

SB309,47 Section 47. 48.647 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,22,2 48.647 (3) (d) Ensure that an eligible person receiving services from the private agency's program is provided with intake, assessment, case planning, and case management services; skills development training in the areas of economic self-sufficiency, parenting, independent successful adult living, and life choice decision making; prenatal and other health care services, including, if necessary, mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse services; child care; and transportation.

SB309,48 Section 48. 48.647 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,22,13 48.647 (4) Evaluation. From the appropriation under s. 20.437 (1) (f), the department shall conduct or shall select an evaluator to conduct an evaluation of the grant program under this section and, by June 1 of the 3rd calendar year beginning after the year in which the first grant under this section is awarded, shall submit a report on that evaluation to the governor and to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3). The evaluation shall measure the economic self-sufficiency, parenting skills, independent successful adult living skills, and life choice decision-making skills of the eligible persons who received services under the program and any other criteria that the department determines to be appropriate for evaluation.

SB309,49 Section 49. 48.67 (4) (a) 1m. of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,23,2 48.67 (4) (a) 1m. Knowledge and skills relating to the use of the reasonable and prudent parent standard in making decisions concerning a child's participation in age or developmentally appropriate activities including knowledge and skills relating to the stages in the development of cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacities of children and knowledge and skills relating to applying that standard in making decisions regarding a child's participation in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, or social activities, such as sports, field trips, overnight, and other recreational activities, in making decisions involving the signing of permission slips and the arrangement of transportation to and from those activities, and in making decisions regarding the child's choices with respect to transportation, employment, peer relationships, and personal expression. Those rules shall require a foster parent who has received that training to make reasonable and prudent parenting decisions in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

SB309,50 Section 50. 48.67 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,23,15 48.67 (5) That all child welfare agencies that operate a residential care center for children and youth, all group homes, and all shelter care facilities employ on the site of the center, group home, or shelter care facility at all times a staff member designated as an out-of-home care provider for purposes of making decisions concerning the participation of a child placed in the center, group home, or shelter care facility in age or developmentally appropriate activities. Those rules shall also require an out-of-home care provider so designated to receive training in knowledge and skills relating to the use of the reasonable and prudent parent standard in making decisions concerning a child's participation in age or developmentally appropriate activities. In addition, those rules shall require an out-of-home care provider so trained to make reasonable and prudent parenting decisions in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

SB309,51 Section 51. 48.977 (7) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,23,19 48.977 (7) (e) Termination on termination of parental rights. If a court enters an order under s. 48.427 (3p) or 48.428 (2) (b), the court shall terminate the guardianship under this section.

SB309,52 Section 52. 49.34 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,24,6 49.34 (4) (a) Except as provided in this subsection, maintain a uniform double entry accounting system and a management information system which that are compatible with cost accounting and control systems prescribed by the department. The department shall establish a simplified double-entry bookkeeping system for use by family-operated group homes. Each purchaser shall determine whether a family-operated group home from which it purchases services shall use the double-entry accounting system or the simplified system and shall include this determination in the purchase of service contract. In this paragraph, "family-operated group home" means a group home licensed under s. 48.66 (1) (a) for which the licensee is one or more individuals who operate not more than one group home.

SB309,53 Section 53. 49.34 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,24,13 49.34 (4) (c) Unless waived by the department, biennially, or annually if required under federal law, provide the purchaser with a certified financial and compliance audit report if the care and services purchased exceed $25,000. The audit shall follow standards that the department prescribes. A purchaser may waive the requirements of this paragraph for any family-operated group home, as defined in par. (a), from which it purchases services.

SB309,54 Section 54. 115.76 (12) (a) 8. of the statutes is repealed.

SB309,55 Section 55. 167.10 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,24,19 167.10 (7) Parental liability. A parent, foster parent, family-operated group home parent, or legal guardian, or other out-of-home care provider, as defined in s. 48.02 (12r), of a minor who consents to the use of fireworks by the minor is liable for damages caused by the minor's use of the fireworks.

SB309,56 Section 56. 809.107 (2) (bm) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,25,8 809.107 (2) (bm) Notice of intent to pursue postdisposition or appellate relief. (intro.) A person shall initiate an appeal under this section by filing, within 30 days after the date of entry of the judgment or order appealed from, as specified in s. 808.04 (7m), a notice of intent to pursue postdisposition or appellate relief with the clerk of the circuit court in which the judgment or order appealed from was entered. Also within that time period, the appellant shall serve a copy of the notice of intent on the person representing the interests of the public, opposing counsel, the guardian ad litem appointed under s. 48.235 (1) (c) for the child who is the subject of the proceeding, the child's parent and any guardian and any custodian appointed under s. 48.427 (3) or 48.428 (2). If the record discloses that final adjudication occurred after the notice of intent was filed, the notice shall be treated as filed after entry of the judgment or order appealed from on the day of the entry of the final judgment or order. The notice of intent shall include all of the following:

SB309,57 Section 57. 895.485 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,25,12 895.485 (title) Civil liability exemption; out-of-home care providers and child-placing agencies, foster parents and family-operated group home parents.

SB309,58 Section 58. 895.485 (1) (title) of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,25,14 895.485 (1) (title) Definitions.

SB309,59 Section 59. 895.485 (1) (a) of the statutes is repealed.

SB309,60 Section 60. 895.485 (1) (ag) of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,25,18 895.485 (1) (ag) "Age or developmentally appropriate activities" has the meaning given in s. 48.02 (1dm).

SB309,61 Section 61. 895.485 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,25,21 895.485 (1) (c) "Out-of-home care provider" has the meaning given in s. 48.02 (12r).

SB309,62 Section 62. 895.485 (1) (d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB309,25,24 895.485 (1) (d) "Reasonable and prudent parent standard" has the meaning given in s. 48.02 (14r).

SB309,63 Section 63. 895.485 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,26,3 895.485 (2) Foster parents; liability exemption. Except as provided in ss. 167.10 (7) and 343.15 (2), any foster or family-operated group home parent licensed under s. 48.62 or 48.625 is immune from civil liability for any of the following:

SB309,26,6 (a) An act or omission of the foster or family-operated group home parent while that parent is acting in his or her capacity as a foster or family-operated group home parent.

SB309,26,9 (b) An act or omission of a child who is placed in a foster home or family-operated group home while the child is in the foster or family-operated group home parent's care.

SB309,64 Section 64. 895.485 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,26,21 895.485 (3) Foster parents; exceptions to liability exemption. The immunity specified in sub. (2) does not apply if the act or omission of a foster or family-operated group home parent was not done in good faith or was not in compliance with any written instructions received from the agency that placed the child regarding specific care and supervision of the child. The good faith of a foster or family-operated group home parent and the compliance of the foster or family-operated group home parent with any written instructions received from the agency that placed the child are presumed in a civil action. Any person who asserts that a foster or family-operated group home parent did not act in good faith, or did not comply with written instructions received from the agency that placed the child, has the burden of proving that assertion.

SB309,65 Section 65. 895.485 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,27,2 895.485 (4) Child-placing agencies; liability exemption; exceptions. (intro.) Any agency that acts in good faith in placing a child with a foster or family-operated group home parent is immune from civil liability for any act or omission of the agency, the foster or family-operated group home parent, or the child unless all of the following occur:

SB309,66 Section 66. 895.485 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB309,27,10 895.485 (4) (a) The agency has failed to provide the foster or family-operated group home parent with any information relating to a medical, physical, mental, or emotional condition of the child that it the agency is required to disclose under this paragraph. The department of children and families shall promulgate rules specifying the kind of information that an agency shall disclose to a foster or family-operated group home parent that relates to a medical, physical, mental, or emotional condition of the child.