SB387: Bill Text

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB387,1 Section 1. 46.10 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,7,5 46.10 (1) Liability and the collection and enforcement of such liability for the care, maintenance, services, and supplies specified in this section is governed exclusively by this section, except in cases of child support ordered by a court under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 48.357 (5m) (a) , or 48.363 (2) or ch. 767.

SB387,2 Section 2. 46.10 (14) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,7,14 46.10 (14) (b) Except as provided in par. (c) and subject to par. (cm), liability of a parent specified in sub. (2) or s. 46.03 (18) for the care and maintenance of the parent's minor child who has been placed by a court order under s. 48.32, 48.355, or 48.357 in a residential, nonmedical facility such as a group home, foster home, subsidized guardianship home, or residential care center for children and youth shall be determined by the court by using the percentage standard established by the department of children and families under s. 49.22 (9) and by applying the percentage standard in the manner established by the department under par. (g).

SB387,3 Section 3. 46.10 (14) (e) 1. of the statutes, as affected by 2015 Wisconsin Act 55, is amended to read:

SB387,8,9 46.10 (14) (e) 1. An order issued under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 4. or (4g) (a), 48.357 (5m) (a), or 48.363 (2) for support determined under this subsection constitutes an assignment of all commissions, earnings, salaries, wages, pension benefits, income continuation insurance benefits under s. 40.62, duty disability benefits under s. 40.65, benefits under ch. 102 or 108, and other money due or to be due in the future to the county department under s. 46.22 or 46.23 in the county where the order was entered or to the department, depending upon the placement of the child as specified by rules promulgated under subd. 5. The assignment shall be for an amount sufficient to ensure payment under the order.

SB387,4 Section 4. 46.10 (14) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,8,17 46.10 (14) (g) For purposes of determining child support under par. (b), the department shall promulgate rules related to the application of the standard established by the department of children and families under s. 49.22 (9) to a child support obligation for the care and maintenance of a child who is placed by a court order under s. 48.32, 48.355, or 48.357 in a residential, nonmedical facility. The rules shall take into account the needs of any person, including dependent children other than the child, whom either parent is legally obligated to support.

SB387,5 Section 5. 48.028 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,9,2 48.028 (2) (e) "Out-of-home care placement" means the removal of an Indian child from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian for temporary placement in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children and youth, or shelter care facility, in the home of a relative other than a parent, or in the home of a guardian, from which placement the parent or Indian custodian cannot have the child returned upon demand. "Out-of-home care placement" does not include an adoptive placement, a preadoptive placement, a delegation of powers, as described in par. (d) 5., an emergency change in placement under s. 48.357 (2) (b), or holding an Indian child in custody under ss. 48.19 to 48.21.

SB387,6 Section 6. 48.028 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,9,9 48.028 (2) (f) "Preadoptive placement" means the temporary placement of an Indian child 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 the home of a guardian after a termination of parental rights but prior to or in lieu of an adoptive placement. "Preadoptive placement does not include an emergency change in placement under s. 48.437 (2).

SB387,7 Section 7. 48.185 (1) of the statutes is renumbered 48.185 (1) (intro.) and amended to read:

SB387,9,14 48.185 (1) (intro.) Proceedings generally. Subject to sub. subs. (2) to (5), venue for any proceeding under ss. s. 48.13, 48.133, 48.135 and, or 48.14 (1) to (9) may be in any of the following: the

SB387,9,16 (a) The county where the child or the expectant mother of the unborn child resides or the.

SB387,9,20 (b) The county where the child or expectant mother is present. Venue for proceedings brought under subch. VIII is as provided in this subsection except where the child has been placed and is living outside the home of the child's parent pursuant to a dispositional order, in which case venue is as provided in sub. (2).

SB387,9,22 (6) Restraining order and injunction proceedings. Venue for a proceeding under s. 48.14 (10) is as provided in s. 801.50 (5s).

SB387,8 Section 8. 48.185 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,9,25 48.185 (2) Guardianship and termination of parental rights proceedings. In an action under s. 48.41, venue shall be in the county where the birth parent or child resides at the time that the petition is filed. Venue Subject to sub. (5), venue for any proceeding under s. 48.363, 48.365 or 48.977, or any proceeding under subch. VIII when the child has been placed outside the home pursuant to a dispositional order under s. 48.345 or 48.347, shall be in the county where the dispositional order was issued, unless the child's county of residence has changed, or the parent of the child or the expectant mother of the unborn child has resided in a different county of this state for 6 months. In either case, the court may, upon a motion and for good cause shown, transfer the case, along with all appropriate records, to the county of residence of the child, or parent or expectant mother.

SB387,9 Section 9. 48.185 (4) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,10,15 48.185 (4) Child or unborn child subject to a dispositional order. Venue for any proceeding under s. 48.357, 48.363, or 48.365 shall be in the county where the dispositional order was issued, unless prior to the proceeding the court of that county determined that the proper venue for the proceeding lies in another county and transferred the case, along with all appropriate records, to that other county.

SB387,10 Section 10. 48.185 (5) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,10,19 48.185 (5) Changes in placement; successor guardians; posttermination of parental rights. Venue for a proceeding under s. 48.43 (8) or 48.437 shall be in the county where the termination of parental rights order was issued.

SB387,11 Section 11. 48.21 (5m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,10,24 48.21 (5m) Effective period of order. An order to hold a child in custody remains in effect until a dispositional order is granted or a consent decree is entered into, the petition under s. 48.25 is withdrawn or dismissed, or the order is modified or terminated by further order of the court.

SB387,12 Section 12. 48.213 (4m) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,11,4 48.213 (4m) Effective period of order. An order to hold an adult expectant mother in custody remains in effect until a dispositional order is granted or a consent decree is entered into, the petition under s. 48.25 is withdrawn or dismissed, or the order is modified or terminated by further order of the court.

SB387,13 Section 13. 48.217 of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,11,13 48.217 Change in placement; child or expectant mother held in custody. (1) Request by intake worker, agency responsible for custody order, or prosecutor. (a) Applicable procedures. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the intake worker, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order under s. 48.21 (4) or 48.213 (3), the district attorney, or the corporation counsel may request a change in the placement of the child or expectant mother who is the subject of the order as provided in this subsection, whether or not the change requested is authorized in the order.

SB387,11,17 2. A change in the placement of a child from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.21 (6). A change in the placement of an adult expectant mother from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.213 (5).

SB387,11,25 (b) Notice; information required. 1. a. The intake worker, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order, the district attorney, or the corporation counsel may request a change in placement under this subsection by causing written notice of the proposed change in placement to be sent to the child, the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian or Indian custodian of the child, any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, and the child's court-appointed special advocate.

SB387,12,6 b. If the child is the expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, written notice of the proposed change in placement shall also be sent to the unborn child's guardian ad litem. If the change in placement involves an adult expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, written notice of the proposed change in placement shall be sent to the adult expectant mother, the physical custodian of the adult expectant mother, and the unborn child's guardian ad litem.

SB387,12,10 2. The notice shall contain the name and address of the new placement, the reasons for the change in placement, and a statement describing why the new placement is preferable to the present placement. The person sending the notice shall file the notice with the court on the same day that the notice is sent.

SB387,12,24 (c) Hearing; when required. Any person receiving the notice under par. (b), other than a court-appointed special advocate, may obtain a hearing on the matter by filing an objection with the court within 10 days after the notice is sent to that person and filed with the court. Except as provided in par. (d), if an objection is filed within 10 days after that notice is sent and filed with the court, the court shall hold a hearing prior to ordering any change in placement. At least 3 days before the hearing, the court shall provide notice of the hearing to all persons who are required to receive notice under par. (b). If all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing. Except as provided in par. (d), if no objection is filed within 10 days after that notice is sent and filed with the court, the court shall enter an order changing the child's placement as proposed in that notice. Except as provided in par. (d), placements may not be changed until 10 days after that notice is sent and filed with the court unless written waivers of objection are signed as follows:

SB387,13,2 1. By the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian of the child and by the child, if 12 years of age or over.

SB387,13,4 2. By the child expectant mother, if 12 years of age or over, her parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian, and the unborn child's guardian ad litem.

SB387,13,5 3. By the adult expectant mother and the unborn child's guardian ad litem.

SB387,13,11 (d) When hearing not required. Changes in placement that were authorized in the temporary physical custody order may be made immediately if notice is given as required under par. (b). A hearing is not required for changes in placement authorized in the temporary physical custody order except when an objection filed by a person who received notice alleges that new information is available that affects the advisability of the order.

SB387,13,15 (e) Contents of order. If the court changes a child's placement from a placement outside the home to another placement outside the home, the change-in-placement order shall contain the applicable order under sub. (2v) (a), the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (b), and the finding under sub. (2v) (c).

SB387,14,2 (2) Emergency change in placement. If emergency conditions necessitate an immediate change in the placement of a child or expectant mother placed outside the home under a temporary physical custody order under s. 48.21 (4) or 48.213 (3), the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under the order may remove the child or expectant mother to a new placement, whether or not authorized by the existing order, without the prior notice under sub. (1) (b). Notice of the emergency change in placement shall be sent to the persons specified in sub. (1) (b) 1. within 48 hours after the emergency change in placement. Any party receiving notice may demand a hearing under sub. (1) (c). In emergency situations, a child may be placed in a licensed public or private shelter care facility as a transitional placement for not more than 20 days or in any other placement authorized under s. 48.207. 48.208, or 48.209.

SB387,14,11 (2m) Request by others. (a) Request; information required. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the child, the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian of the child, the expectant mother, or the unborn child's guardian ad litem may request a change in the placement of the child or expectant mother who is the subject of the order as provided in this subsection. The request shall contain the name and address of the new placement requested and shall state what new information is available that affects the advisability of the current placement. The request shall be submitted to the court. The court may also propose a change in placement on its own motion.

SB387,14,15 2. A change in the placement of a child from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.21 (6). A change in the placement of an adult expectant mother from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.213 (5).

SB387,14,22 (b) Hearing; when required. 1. The court shall hold a hearing prior to ordering any change in placement requested or proposed under par. (a) if the request or proposal states that new information is available that affects the advisability of the current placement. A hearing is not required if written waivers of objection to the proposed change in placement are signed by all persons entitled to receive notice under subd. 2., other than a court-appointed special advocate, and the court approves.

SB387,15,11 2. If a hearing is scheduled, at least 3 days before the hearing the court shall notify the child, the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian or Indian custodian of the child, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, the district attorney or corporation counsel, any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, and the child's court-appointed special advocate. If the child is the expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, the court shall also notify the unborn child's guardian ad litem. If the change in placement involves an adult expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, at least 3 days before the hearing the court shall notify the adult expectant mother, the unborn child's guardian ad litem, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, and the district attorney or corporation counsel. A copy of the request or proposal for the change in placement shall be attached to the notice. If all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing.

SB387,15,15 (c) Contents of order. If the court changes the child's placement from a placement outside the home to another placement outside the home, the change-in-placement order shall contain the applicable order under sub. (2v) (a), the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (b), and the finding under sub. (2v) (c).

SB387,16,2 (2r) Removal from foster home or other physical custodian. If a hearing is held under sub. (1) (c) or (2m) (b) and the change in placement would remove a child from a foster home or other placement with a physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), the court shall give the foster parent or other physical custodian a right to be heard at the hearing by permitting the foster parent or other physical custodian to make a written or oral statement during the hearing or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing relating to the child and the requested change in placement. A foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) who receives notice of a hearing under sub. (1) (c) or (2m) (b) and a right to be heard under this subsection does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and right to be heard.

SB387,16,4 (2v) Change-in-placement order. A change-in-placement order under sub. (1) or (2m) shall contain all of the following:

SB387,16,11 (a) If the change-in-placement order changes the placement of a child who is under the supervision of the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department to a placement outside the home, an order ordering the child to be continued in the placement and care responsibility of the county department or department as required under 42 USC 672 (a) (2) and assigning the county department or department continued primary responsibility for providing services to the child.

SB387,16,19 (b) If the change-in-placement order changes the placement of the child to a placement outside the home recommended by the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, a statement that the court approves the placement recommended by that agency or, if the change-in-placement order changes the placement of the child to a placement outside the home that is not a placement recommended by that agency, a statement that the court has given bona fide consideration to the recommendations made by that agency and all parties relating to the child's placement.

SB387,17,8 (c) If the change-in-placement order changes the placement of the child to a placement outside the home and if the child has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been placed outside the home or for whom a change in placement to a placement outside the home is requested, a finding as to whether the intake worker, the county department, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order has made reasonable efforts to place the child in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the court 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 court shall order the intake worker, county department, department, or agency to make reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the child and the siblings, unless the court determines that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings.

SB387,17,13 (3) Prohibited placements based on homicide of parent. (a) Prohibition. Except as provided in par. (c), the court may not change a child's placement to a placement in the home of a person who has been convicted of the homicide of a parent of the child under s. 940.01 or 940.05, if the conviction has not been reversed, set aside, or vacated.

SB387,17,22 (b) Change in placement required. Except as provided in par. (c), if a parent in whose home a child is placed is convicted of the homicide of the child's other parent under s. 940.01 or 940.05, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside, or vacated, the court shall change the child's placement to a placement outside the home of the parent on petition of the child, the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, the guardian or legal custodian of the child, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, or the district attorney or corporation counsel of the county in which that order was entered, or on the court's own motion, and on notice to the parent.

SB387,18,2 (c) Exception. Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would be in the best interests of the child. The court shall consider the wishes of the child in making that determination.

SB387,18,9 (4) Expectant mother; placement outside the home. The court may not change the placement of an expectant mother of an unborn child alleged to be in need of protection or services from a placement in the expectant mother's home to a placement outside of the expectant mother's home unless the court finds that the expectant mother is refusing or has refused to accept any alcohol or other drug abuse services offered to her or is not making or has not made a good faith effort to participate in any alcohol or other drug abuse services offered to her.

SB387,18,13 (6) Effective period of order. A change-in-placement order under this section remains in effect until a dispositional order is granted or a consent decree is entered into, the petition under s. 48.25 is withdrawn or dismissed, or the order is modified or terminated by further order of the court.

SB387,14 Section 14. 48.235 (1) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,18,21 48.235 (1) (e) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem, or extend the appointment of a guardian ad litem previously appointed under par. (a), for any child alleged or found to be in need of protection or services, if the court has ordered, or if a request or recommendation has been made that the court order, the child to be placed out of his or her home under s. 48.32, 48.345 , or 48.357. This paragraph does not apply to a child who is subject to a dispositional order that terminates as provided in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 4., 48.357 (6) (a) 4., or 48.365 (5) (b) 4.

SB387,15 Section 15. 48.255 (1) (cg) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,18,23 48.255 (1) (cg) The information required under s. 822.29 (1).

SB387,16 Section 16. 48.299 (6) (e) 5. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,19,3 48.299 (6) (e) 5. A determination by the court under subd. 4. is not a determination of paternity under s. 48.355 (4g) (a), a judgment of paternity under ch. 767, or an adjudication of paternity under subch. VIII.

SB387,17 Section 17. 48.315 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,19,12 48.315 (2m) (a) The court making an initial finding under s. 48.21 (5) (b) 1. or 1m., 48.32 (1) (b) 1., 48.355 (2) (b) 6., or 48.357 (2v) (a) 1. that reasonable efforts have been made to prevent the removal of the child from the home, while assuring that the child's health and safety are the paramount concerns, or an initial finding under s. 48.21 (5) (b) 3., 48.32 (1) (b) 2., 48.355 (2) (b) 6r., or 48.357 (2v) (a) 3. that those efforts were not required to be made because a circumstance specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies, more than 60 days after the date on which the child was removed from the home.

SB387,18 Section 18. 48.32 (1) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,19,25 48.32 (1) (am) Using the procedures specified in par. (a) for the entry of an original consent decree, the parties to a consent decree may agree to, and the judge or circuit court commissioner may enter, an amended consent decree. An amended consent decree may change the placement of the child or expectant mother who is the subject of the original consent decree or revise any other term or condition of the original consent decree. An amended consent decree that changes the placement of a child from a placement in the child's home to a placement outside the child's home shall include the findings, orders, and determinations specified in par. (b), as applicable. An amended consent decree that changes the placement of an Indian child from a placement in the Indian child's home to a placement outside the Indian child's home shall include the findings specified in par. (d). An amended consent decree may not extend the expiration date of the original consent decree.

SB387,19 Section 19. 48.32 (1) (b) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,20,8 48.32 (1) (b) 1. (intro.) If at the time the consent decree is entered into the child is placed outside the home under a voluntary agreement under s. 48.63 or is otherwise living outside the home without a court order and if the consent decree maintains the child in that placement or other living arrangement, or if an amended consent decree changes the placement of the child from a placement in the child's home to a placement outside the child's home, the consent decree shall include all of the following:

SB387,20 Section 20. 48.32 (1) (d) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,21,2 48.32 (1) (d) 1. In the case of an Indian child, if at the time the consent decree is entered into the Indian child is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under a voluntary agreement under s. 48.63 or is otherwise living outside that home without a court order and if the consent decree maintains the Indian child in that placement or other living arrangement, or if an amended consent decree changes the placement of the Indian child from a placement in the Indian child's home to a placement outside the Indian child's home, the consent decree shall include a finding supported by clear and convincing evidence, including the testimony of one or more qualified expert witnesses, that continued custody of the Indian child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 1. and a finding that active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 2. have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian child's family and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful. The findings under this subdivision shall be in addition to the findings under par. (b) 1., except that for the sole purpose of determining whether the cost of providing care for an Indian child is eligible for reimbursement under 42 USC 670 to 679b, the findings under this subdivision and the findings under par. (b) 1. shall be considered to be the same findings.

SB387,21 Section 21. 48.355 (2e) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,21,9 48.355 (2e) (b) Each time a child's placement is changed under s. 48.32 or 48.357, a trial reunification is ordered under s. 48.358, a consent decree is revised under s. 48.32, or a dispositional order is revised under s. 48.363 or extended under s. 48.365, the agency that prepared the permanency 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.

SB387,22 Section 22. 48.355 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,21,15 48.355 (4) (a) Except as provided under s. 48.368, an order under this section or s. 48.357 or 48.365 made before the child reaches attains 18 years of age that places or continues the placement of the child in his or her home shall terminate one year after the date on which the order is entered granted unless the judge specifies a shorter period of time or the judge terminates the order sooner.

SB387,23 Section 23. 48.355 (4) (b) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,21,17 48.355 (4) (b) 1. The date on which the child reaches attains 18 years of age.

SB387,24 Section 24. 48.355 (4) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,21,20 48.355 (4) (b) 2. The date that is one year after the date on which the order is entered granted.

SB387,25 Section 25. 48.355 (4) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,22,2 48.355 (4) (b) 3. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma or the date on which the child reaches attains 19 years of age, whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected to complete the program before reaching attaining 19 years of age.

SB387,26 Section 26. 48.355 (4) (b) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,22,14 48.355 (4) (b) 4. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma or the date on which the child reaches attains 21 years of age, whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and if an individualized education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for the child. The court may not enter grant an order that terminates as provided in this subdivision unless the child is 17 years of age or older when the order is entered granted and the child, or the child's guardian on behalf of the child, agrees to the order. At any time after the child reaches attains 18 years of age, the child, or the child's guardian on behalf of the child, may request the court in writing to terminate the order and, on receipt of such a request, the court, without a hearing, shall terminate the order.

SB387,27 Section 27. 48.355 (4) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB387,22,20 48.355 (4) (c) An order under this section or s. 48.357 or 48.365 relating to an unborn child in need of protection or services that is made before the unborn child is born shall terminate one year after the date on which the order is entered granted unless the judge specifies a shorter period of time or the judge terminates the order sooner.

SB387,28 Section 28. 48.355 (4g) of the statutes is created to read:

SB387,23,5 48.355 (4g) Termination of orders; case closure orders. (a) On request of a person authorized to file a petition under par. (b) or on its own motion and on a finding that granting the request or motion would be in the best interests of the child, the court may terminate an order under this section or s. 48.357 or 48.365 before the child attains 18 years of age and grant an order determining paternity of the child, legal custody of the child, periods of physical placement with the child, visitation rights with respect to the child, or the obligation of the child's parents to provide support for the child and the responsibility of the child's parents to provide coverage of the child's health care expenses if any of the following apply: