AB64: Bill Text

AB64,455,12 9. A search of the following registries, repositories, or databases in the state where the caregiver or nonclient resident resided for the period starting on the date 5 years prior to the department's receipt of the background check request and ending on the date the department received the background check request:

AB64,455,13 a. The state criminal registry or repository.

AB64,455,14 b. The state sex offender registry or repository.

AB64,455,15 c. The state-based child abuse and neglect registry and database.

AB64,455,16 10. A search of the department's criminal background check records.

AB64,455,20 (ar) After receiving a request under par. (a) or (ab), the department shall conduct the criminal background check as expeditiously as possible and shall make a good faith effort to complete all components of the criminal background check no later than 45 days after the date on which the request was submitted.

AB64,456,9 (bb) If information obtained under par. (am) indicates a charge of a serious crime, but does not completely and clearly indicate the final disposition of the charge, the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to determine the final disposition of the charge. If information submitted to the department under par. (ag) indicates a charge or a conviction of a serious crime, but information obtained under par. (am) does not indicate such a charge or conviction, the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint and the final disposition of the complaint. If information obtained under par. (am), information submitted under par. (ag), or any other information indicates a conviction of a violation of s. 940.19 (1), 940.195, 940.20, 941.30, 942.08, 947.01 (1), or 947.013 obtained not more than 5 years before the date on which that information was obtained, the department shall make every reasonable effort to contact the clerk of courts to obtain a copy of the criminal complaint and judgment of conviction relating to that violation.

AB64,456,19 (bd) Notwithstanding par. (am), the department is not required to obtain the information specified in par. (am) 1. to 10., with respect to a person under 18 years of age whose background check request under par. (ag) indicates that the person is not ineligible to be permitted to reside at a child care program for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 8. and with respect to whom the department otherwise has no reason to believe that the person is ineligible to be permitted to reside for any of those reasons. This paragraph does not preclude the department from obtaining, at its discretion, the information specified in par. (am) 1. to 10. with respect to a person described in this paragraph who is a nonclient resident or a potential nonclient resident of a child care program.

AB64,456,23 (br) The department shall require the person who is the subject of a search under par. (am) to be fingerprinted on 2 fingerprint cards, each bearing a complete set of the person's fingerprints, or by other technologies approved by law enforcement agencies, unless the person has previously been fingerprinted under this paragraph.

AB64,457,5 (3) (am) Every year or at any time that the department considers appropriate, the department may request the information specified in sub. (2) (am) 1. to 5. for all caregivers under sub. (1) (ag) 2., nonclient residents of such a caregiver, and caregivers under sub. (1) (ag) 1. who have direct contact with clients. For the purposes of this paragraph, “direct contact” means face-to-face physical proximity to a client that affords the opportunity to commit abuse or neglect of a client or to misappropriate the property of a client.

AB64,457,12 (bm) Annually, by January 1, the department shall submit a report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172 (3) describing the report prepared under sub. (4p) (a) with respect to caregivers specified in sub. (1) (ag) 2., specifically any information indicating that the caregiver is ineligible under sub. (4m) (a) to be licensed, certified, or contracted to operate a child care program, and describing any action taken in response to the receipt of information under sub. (2) (am) indicating that such a caregiver is so ineligible.

AB64,457,15 (4) (a) A child care program that violates sub. (2), (3), or (4m) (a) is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 and to other sanctions specified by the department by rule.

AB64,457,18 (b) A person who provides false information to the department under sub. (2) is subject to a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 and to other sanctions specified by the department by rule.

AB64,458,2 (4m) (a) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, and except as provided in par. (ad) and sub. (5), the department may not license, or continue or renew the license of, a person to operate a child care center under s. 48.65, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may not certify a child care provider under s. 48.651, a school board may not contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), and a child care program may not employ or contract with a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. if the department, county department, contracted agency, school board, or child care program knows or should have known any of the following:

AB64,458,7 1. That the person has been convicted of a serious crime or adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 10th birthday for committing a serious crime or that the person is the subject of a pending criminal charge or delinquency petition alleging that the person has committed a serious crime on or after his or her 10th birthday.

AB64,458,10 3. That a unit of government or a state agency, as defined in s. 16.61 (2) (d), has made a finding that the person has abused or neglected any client or misappropriated the property of any client.

AB64,458,13 4. That a final determination has been made under s. 48.981 (3) (c) 5m. or, if a contested case hearing is held on such a determination, a final decision has been made under s. 48.981 (3) (c) 5p. that the person has abused or neglected a child.

AB64,458,18 5. That the department has determined the person ineligible to be licensed to operate a child care center under s. 48.65, to be certified to operate a child care provider under s. 48.651, to contract with a school board under s. 120.13 (14), to be employed as a caregiver at a child care program, or to be a nonclient resident at a child care program.

AB64,458,22 6. That the person has refused to provide information under sub. (2) (ag), or that the person refused to participate in, cooperate with, or submit required information for the criminal background check described in sub. (2) (am), including fingerprints.

AB64,458,24 7. That the person knowingly made a materially false statement in connection with the person's criminal background check described in sub. (2).

AB64,459,2 8. That the person knowingly omitted material information requested in connection with the person's criminal background check conducted under sub. (2).

AB64,459,9 (ad) The department may license a child care center under s. 48.65; the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may certify a child care provider under s. 48.651; and a school board may contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), conditioned on the receipt of the information specified in sub. (4p) (a) indicating that the person is not ineligible to be so licensed, certified, or contracted with for a reason specified in par. (a) 1. to 8.

AB64,459,20 (c) A child care program may employ or contract with a potential caregiver or permit a potential nonclient resident to reside at the child care program for up to 45 days from the date a background check request is submitted to the department pending the completion of the department's report under sub. (4p) (a) if the department provides a preliminary report under sub. (4p) (c) to the child care program indicating that the potential caregiver or nonclient resident is not ineligible to work or reside at a child care program. At all times that children in care are present, an individual who received a qualifying result on a background check described in sub. (2) (am) within the past 5 years must supervise a potential employee or nonclient resident permitted to work or reside at the chid care program under this paragraph.

AB64,459,25 (4p) (a) The department shall provide the results of the criminal background check to the child care program in a written report that indicates only that the individual on whom the background check was conducted is eligible or ineligible for employment or to reside at the child care program, without revealing any disqualifying crime or other information regarding the individual.

AB64,460,6 (b) The department shall provide the results of the criminal background check to the individual on whom the background check was conducted in a written report that indicates whether the individual is eligible or ineligible for employment or to reside at the child care program. If the individual is ineligible for employment or to reside at the child care program, the department's report shall include information on each disqualifying crime and information on the right to appeal.

AB64,460,17 (c) Before the department completes its report under par. (a), a caregiver under sub. (1) (ag) 2. may submit a written request to the department for a preliminary report indicating whether a potential caregiver or nonclient resident is eligible to work or reside at a child care program under sub. (4m) (c). If the department receives such a request, it shall provide a written preliminary report to that caregiver indicating whether the individual is barred from employment as a caregiver or residence as a nonclient resident on the basis of a background check under sub. (2) (am) 1. or 7. If the individual is ineligible for employment or residence at a child care program based on the results of the preliminary report, the department shall also provide a preliminary report to the individual containing information related to each disqualifying crime.

AB64,460,20 (d) The results of a report under par. (c) may not be appealed by the individual until receipt of the department's report under par. (b) following completion of all components of the criminal background check.

AB64,460,25 (4s) (a) An individual who is the subject of the department's report on the results of a criminal background check may appeal the department's decision. Only the person who is the subject of the department's report may appeal the department's decision. Neither the child care program nor any other person may appeal the department's decision.

AB64,461,6 (b) An appeal request shall be submitted to the department at the address, e-mail address, or fax number identified in the statement of appeal rights no later than 60 days after the date of the department's decision, unless the appellant requests, and the department grants, an extension for a specific amount of time prior to expiration of the 60 day appeal period. Extensions may be granted for good cause shown.

AB64,461,8 (c) An appeal shall be submitted in the manner and on forms prescribed by the department, and must include all of the following information:

AB64,461,9 1. The information or issue disputed by the individual.

AB64,461,11 2. Any information known to the individual, or available to the individual through the exercise of reasonable diligence, that supports the individual's position.

AB64,461,14 3. The current or last known names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of any persons known or believed to have information relevant to determination of the appeal.

AB64,461,17 4. Copies of any documents or other materials in the possession of the individual, or reasonably available to the individual, that support the individual's position regarding the disputed information.

AB64,461,21 (e) The department shall attempt to verify the accuracy of the information challenged by the appellant, including making reasonable good faith efforts to locate any missing information regarding the disqualifying crime that is relevant to the issue identified for appeal.

AB64,461,23 (f) The department shall sustain the results of its criminal background check report if supported by a preponderance of the available evidence.

AB64,462,3 (g) The department shall issue its appeal decision in writing. If the results of the original report are sustained upon review, the decision shall indicate the department's efforts to verify the accuracy of the information challenged by the individual. The decision shall also indicate any additional reconsideration and appeal rights available to the appellant.

AB64,462,5 (h) An appellant under this subsection may seek reconsideration of the department's decision under par. (g) by the secretary or the secretary's designee.

AB64,462,9 (i) A request for reconsideration detailing the basis for the request must be sent to the secretary at the address, e-mail address, or fax number identified in the department's decision no later than 30 days after the date of the department's decision.

AB64,462,12 (j) The secretary or secretary's designee shall issue his or her reconsideration decision in writing and shall include information about any additional appeal rights available to the individual.

AB64,462,14 (k) A denial of reconsideration under this subsection is a final decision of the department, and the appellant has a right to a contested case hearing under ch. 227.

AB64,462,21 (L) The appeal and reconsideration process set forth in this subsection is the exclusive method for disputing a criminal history background report issued by the department. The department's decision may not be appealed in a ch. 68 or 227 proceeding challenging the denial of a license, certification, or contract to operate a child care program based on the department's criminal history background check report or challenging any other child care regulatory action taken in reliance upon that report.

AB64,463,3 (m) Notwithstanding s. 19.35, the department may not publicly release or disclose the results of any criminal individual background report it issues, except that the department may release aggregated data by crime as listed in sub. (1) (c) from criminal background check results so long as the data does not contain personally identifiable information. The department may disclose and use information obtained in conducting criminal background checks as necessary during an appeal or reconsideration under this subsection.

AB64,463,17 (5) (a) Subject to par. (br), the department may license to operate a child care program, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may certify under s. 48.651, and a school board may contract with under s. 120.13 (14) a person who otherwise may not be licensed, certified, or contracted with for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 8., and a child care program may employ, contract with, or permit to reside at the child care program a person who otherwise may not be so employed, contracted with, or permitted to reside for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 8., if the person demonstrates to the department, the county department, the contracted agency, or the school board or, in the case of a child care program that is located within the boundaries of a reservation, to the person or body designated by the Indian tribe under sub. (5d) (a) 3., by clear and convincing evidence and in accordance with procedures established by the department by rule or by the tribe that he or she has been rehabilitated.

AB64,463,24 (br) No person who has been convicted or adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 10th birthday for committing any of the offenses identified in sub. (1) (c) 1. to 8. or 12. or for a violation of the law of any other state or United States jurisdiction that would be a violation listed in sub. (1) (c) 1. to 8. if committed in this state or who is the subject of a pending criminal charge or delinquency petition alleging that the person has committed any of those offenses on or after his or her 10th birthday may be permitted to demonstrate that he or she has been rehabilitated.

AB64,464,12 (cm) Notwithstanding sub. (4m) (a) 1., if a person was convicted or adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 10th birthday for committing any of the offenses listed in sub. (1) (c) 9. or 10. and the person completed his or her sentence, including any probation, parole, or extended supervision, or was discharged by the department of corrections, 5 or more years before the date of the investigation under sub. (2) (am), then the conviction or delinquency adjudication alone does not make the person ineligible to be licensed as a child care center under s. 48.65, certified as a child care provider under s. 48.651, contracted with under s. 120.13 (14), or employed by, contracted with, or permitted to reside at a child care program and, with respect to that conviction or delinquency adjudication, the person need not demonstrate that he or she has been rehabilitated under par. (a) before being so licensed, certified, contracted with, employed, or permitted to reside.

AB64,464,17 (5c) (a) Any person who is permitted but fails under sub. (5) (a) to demonstrate to the department that he or she has been rehabilitated may appeal to the secretary or his or her designee. Any person who is adversely affected by a decision of the secretary or his or her designee under this paragraph has a right to a contested case hearing under ch. 227.

AB64,464,23 (b) Any person who is permitted but fails under sub. (5) (a) to demonstrate to a county department or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) that he or she has been rehabilitated may appeal to the director of the county department or his or her designee. Any person who is adversely affected by a decision of the director or his or her designee under this paragraph has a right to appeal the decision under ch. 68.

AB64,465,3 (c) Any person who is permitted but fails under sub. (5) (a) to demonstrate to a school board that he or she has been rehabilitated may appeal to the state superintendent of public instruction or his or her designee. Any person who is adversely affected by a decision of the state superintendent or his or her designee under this paragraph has a right to a contested case hearing under ch. 227.

AB64,465,6 (5d) (a) Any Indian tribe that chooses to conduct rehabilitation reviews under sub. (5) shall submit to the department a rehabilitation review plan that includes all of the following:

AB64,465,7 1. The criteria to be used to determine if a person has been rehabilitated.

AB64,465,9 2. The title of the person or body designated by the Indian tribe to whom a request for review must be made.

AB64,465,11 3. The title of the person or body designated by the Indian tribe to determine whether a person has been rehabilitated.

AB64,465,14 3m. The title of the person or body, designated by the Indian tribe, to whom a person may appeal an adverse decision made by the person specified under subd. 3. and whether the Indian tribe provides any further rights to appeal.

AB64,465,17 4. The manner in which the Indian tribe will submit information relating to a rehabilitation review to the department so that the department may include that information in its report to the legislature required under sub. (5g).

AB64,465,20 5. A copy of the form to be used to request a review and a copy of the form on which a written decision is to be made regarding whether a person has demonstrated rehabilitation.

AB64,466,5 (b) If, within 90 days after receiving the plan, the department does not disapprove the plan, the plan shall be considered approved. If, within 90 days after receiving the plan, the department disapproves the plan, the department shall provide notice of that disapproval to the Indian tribe in writing, together with the reasons for the disapproval. The department may not disapprove a plan unless the department finds that the plan is not rationally related to the protection of clients. If the department disapproves the plan, the Indian tribe may, within 30 days after receiving notice of the disapproval, request that the secretary review the department's decision. A final decision under this paragraph is not subject to further review under ch. 227.

AB64,466,11 (5g) On January 1 of each year, the department shall submit a report to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2) that specifies the number of persons in the previous year who have requested to demonstrate that they have been rehabilitated under sub. (5) (a), the number of persons who successfully demonstrated that they have been rehabilitated under sub. (5) (a), and the reasons for the success or failure of a person who has attempted to demonstrate that he or she has been rehabilitated.

AB64,466,25 (5m) Notwithstanding s. 111.335, the department may refuse to license a person to operate a child care center, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, a county department, or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2) may refuse to certify a child care provider under s. 48.651, a school board may refuse to contract with a person under s. 120.13 (14), and a child care program may refuse to employ or contract with a caregiver or permit a nonclient resident to reside at the child care program if the person has been convicted of or adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 10th birthday for an offense that is not a serious crime, but that is, in the estimation of the department, substantially related to the care of a client. The department shall notify the provider and the individual of the results of a substantially related determination pursuant to the process set forth in sub. (4p) for criminal background check determinations. The individual shall have the same appeal rights as set forth in sub. (4s), and the same appeal procedures apply.

AB64,467,5 (7) The department shall conduct throughout the state periodic training sessions that cover procedures and uses of criminal background investigations; reporting and investigating misappropriation of property or abuse or neglect of a client; and any other material that will better enable entities to comply with the requirements of this section.

AB64,467,7 (8) The department may promulgate any rules necessary for the administration of this section.

AB64,832 Section 832. 48.715 (4g) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,467,20 48.715 (4g) (a) If a person who has been issued a license under s. 48.66 (1) (a) or a probationary license under s. 48.69 to operate a child care center is convicted of a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (c) 3m., or, if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (bm), of the child care center is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing a serious crime on or after his or her 12th 10th birthday, or if the results of a criminal background check conducted under s. 48.686 indicate that the person, caregiver, or nonclient resident is not eligible to be licensed, certified, or employed or to reside at a child care program, the department shall revoke the license of the child care center immediately upon providing written notice of revocation and the grounds for revocation and an explanation of the process for appealing the revocation.

AB64,833 Section 833. 48.715 (4g) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,468,7 48.715 (4g) (b) If a person who has been issued a license under s. 48.66 (1) (a) or a probationary license under s. 48.69 to operate a child care center is the subject of a pending criminal charge alleging that the person has committed a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (c) 3m., or if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (bm), of the child care center is the subject of a pending criminal charge or delinquency petition alleging that the person has committed a serious crime on or after his or her 12th 10th birthday, the department shall immediately suspend the license of the child care center until the department obtains information regarding the final disposition of the charge or delinquency petition indicating that the person is not ineligible to be licensed to operate a child care center.

AB64,834 Section 834. 48.73 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,468,16 48.73 Inspection of licensees and school district child care programs. The department may visit and inspect each child welfare agency, foster home, group home, and child care center licensed by the department, and for that purpose shall be given unrestricted access to the premises described in the license. The department may visit and inspect each child care program established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14) that receives payment under s. 49.155 for the child care provided, and for that purpose shall be given unrestricted access to the premises used for the child care program.

AB64,835 Section 835. 48.78 (2) (g) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,469,5 48.78 (2) (g) Paragraph (a) does not prohibit an agency from disclosing information about an individual in its care or legal custody on the written request of the department of safety and professional services or of any interested examining board or affiliated credentialing board in that department for use in any investigation or proceeding relating to any alleged misconduct by any person who is credentialed or who is seeking credentialing under ch. 448, 455 or, 457, or 464. Unless authorized by an order of the court, the department of safety and professional services and any examining board or affiliated credentialing board in that department shall keep confidential any information obtained under this paragraph and may not disclose the name of or any other identifying information about the individual who is the subject of the information disclosed, except to the extent that redisclosure of that information is necessary for the conduct of the investigation or proceeding for which that information was obtained.

AB64,836 Section 836 . 48.981 (7) (cp) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,469,13 48.981 (7) (cp) Notwithstanding par. (a), an agency may disclose a determination made before January 1, 2015, that a person has abused or neglected a child for purposes of a background check under s. 48.685, 48.686, or 50.065 only if that determination has not been reversed or modified on appeal and may disclose such a determination made on or after January 1, 2015, for those purposes only as provided in sub. (3) (c) 5r. Nothing in this paragraph prevents the disclosure of a report or record as otherwise permitted under this subsection.

AB64,837 Section 837. 49.133 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,469,24 49.133 (1m) (a) If a child care provider is convicted of a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (c) 3m., or if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (bm), of the child care provider is convicted or adjudicated delinquent for committing a serious crime on or after his or her 12th 10th birthday or if the department provides written notice under s. 48.686 (4p) that the child care provider, caregiver, or nonclient resident is ineligible for certification, employment, or residence at the child care provider, the department or a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 shall refuse to pay the child care provider for any child care provided under s. 49.132, 1995 stats., or any other program beginning on the date of the conviction or delinquency adjudication.

AB64,838 Section 838. 49.133 (1m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,470,11 49.133 (1m) (b) If a child care provider is the subject of a pending criminal charge alleging that the person has committed a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (c) 3m., or if a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (bm), of the child care provider is the subject of a pending criminal charge or delinquency petition alleging that the person has committed a serious crime on or after his or her 12th 10th birthday, the department or county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 shall immediately suspend payment to the child care provider for any child care provided under s. 49.132, 1995 stats., or any other program until the department obtains information regarding the final disposition of the charge or delinquency petition indicating that the person is not ineligible to receive such a payment.

AB64,839 Section 839. 49.133 (2m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,470,17 49.133 (2m) (intro.) The department or a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 may refuse to pay a child care provider for child care provided under s. 49.132, 1995 stats., or any other program if any of the following applies to the child care provider or to a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (ag) 1. a. or nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (bm), of the child care provider:

AB64,840 Section 840. 49.133 (2m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,470,25 49.133 (2m) (a) The person has been convicted of or adjudicated delinquent on or after his or her 12th 10th birthday for an offense that is not a serious crime, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (c) 3m., but the department, county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23, agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2), or school board determines under s. 48.685 48.686 (5m) that the offense substantially relates to the care of children or the department or county department determines that the offense substantially relates to the operation of a business.

AB64,841 Section 841. 49.133 (2m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,471,6 49.133 (2m) (b) The person is a caregiver specified in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (ag) 1. a. or a nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 48.686 (1) (bm), and is the subject of a pending criminal charge that the department, county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23, agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2), or school board determines substantially relates to the care of children.

AB64,842 Section 842 . 49.137 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,471,14 49.137 (2) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department may award grants to child care providers that meet the quality of care standards established under s. 49.155 (1d) (b) to improve the retention of skilled and experienced child care staff. In awarding grants under this subsection, the department shall consider the applying child care provider's total enrollment of children and average enrollment of children who receive or are eligible for publicly funded care from the child care provider.

AB64,843 Section 843. 49.137 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB64,471,18 49.137 (3) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department may award grants to child care providers for assistance in meeting the quality of care standards established under s. 49.155 (1d) (b).

AB64,844 Section 844. 49.1377 of the statutes is created to read:

AB64,471,20 49.1377 Early absenteeism pilot program. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB64,471,22 (a) “Chronic absenteeism” means the absence of a student from school for 10 percent or more of the school year.

AB64,471,23 (b) “School” means a public elementary school.