48.977(4)(h)
(h) Disposition. After receiving any evidence relating to the disposition, the court shall enter one of the following dispositions within 10 days after the dispositional hearing:
48.977(4)(h)1.
1. A disposition dismissing the petition if the court determines that appointment of the relative as the child's guardian is not in the best interests of the child.
48.977(4)(h)2.
2. A disposition ordering that the relative with whom the child has been placed be appointed as the child's guardian under
sub. (5) (a) or limited guardian under
sub. (5) (b), if the court determines that such an appointment is in the best interests of the child.
48.977(4)(i)
(i) Effect of disposition on permanency plan review process. After a disposition under
par. (h), the child's permanency plan shall continue to be reviewed under
s. 48.38 (5), if applicable.
48.977(5)
(5) Duties and authority of guardian. 48.977(5)(a)(a)
Full guardianship. Unless limited under
par. (b), a guardian appointed under
sub. (2) shall have all of the duties and authority specified in
s. 48.023.
48.977(5)(b)
(b) Limited guardianship. The court may order that the duties and authority of a guardian appointed under
sub. (2) be limited. The duties and authority of a limited guardian shall be as specified by the order of appointment under
sub. (4) (h) 2. or any revised order under
sub. (6). All provisions of the statutes concerning the duties and authority of a guardian shall apply to a limited guardian appointed under
sub. (2) to the extent those provisions are relevant to the duties or authority of the limited guardian, except as limited by the order of appointment.
48.977(6)
(6) Revision of guardianship order. 48.977(6)(a)(a) Any person authorized to file a petition under
sub. (4) (a) may request a revision in a guardianship order entered under this subsection or
sub. (4) (h) 2., or the court may, on its own motion, propose such a revision. The request or court proposal shall set forth in detail the nature of the proposed revision, shall allege facts sufficient to show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order affecting the guardianship was entered and that the proposed revision would be in the best interests of the child and shall allege any other information that affects the advisability of the court's disposition.
48.977(6)(b)
(b) The court shall hold a hearing on the matter prior to any revision of the guardianship order if the request or court proposal indicates that new information is available which affects the advisability of the court's guardianship order, unless written waivers of objections to the revision are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) and the court approves the waivers.
48.977(6)(c)
(c) If a hearing is to be held, the court shall notify the persons entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) at least 7 days prior to the hearing of the date, place and purpose of the hearing. A copy of the request or proposal shall be attached to the notice. The court may order a revision if, at the hearing, the court finds that it has been proved by clear and convincing evidence that there has been a substantial change in circumstances and if the court determines that a revision would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(a)(a)
Term of guardianship. Unless the court order entered under
sub. (4) (h) 2. or
(6) specifies that a guardianship under this section be for a lesser period of time, a guardianship under this section shall continue until the child attains the age of 18 years or until terminated by the court, whichever occurs earlier.
48.977(7)(b)1.1. Any person authorized to file a petition under
sub. (4) (a) may request that a guardian appointed under
sub. (2) be removed for cause or the court may, on its own motion, propose such a removal. The request or court proposal shall allege facts sufficient to show that the guardian is or has been neglecting, is or has been refusing or is or has been unable to discharge the guardian's trust and may allege facts relating to any other information that affects the advisability of the court's disposition.
48.977(7)(b)2.
2. The court shall hold a hearing on the matter unless written waivers of objections to the removal are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) and the court approves the waivers.
48.977(7)(b)3.
3. If a hearing is to be held, the court shall notify the persons entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) at least 7 days prior to the hearing of the date, place and purpose of the hearing. A copy of the request or court proposal shall be attached to the notice. The court shall remove the guardian for cause if, at the hearing, the court finds that it has been proved by clear and convincing evidence that the guardian is or has been neglecting, is or has been refusing or is or has been unable to discharge the guardian's trust and if the court determines that removal of the guardian would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(c)
(c) Resignation. A guardian appointed under
sub. (2) may resign at any time if the resignation is accepted by the court.
48.977(7)(d)1.1. A parent of the child may request that a guardianship order entered under
sub. (4) (h) 2. or a revised order entered under
sub. (6) be terminated. The request shall allege facts sufficient to show that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order affecting the guardianship was entered, that the parent is willing and able to carry out the duties of a guardian and that the proposed termination of guardianship would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(d)2.
2. The court shall hold a hearing on the matter unless written waivers of objections to the termination are signed by all parties entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) and the court approves the waivers.
48.977(7)(d)3.
3. If a hearing is to be held, the court shall notify the persons entitled to receive notice under
sub. (4) (c) at least 7 days prior to the hearing of the date, place and purpose of the hearing. A copy of the request shall be attached to the notice. The court shall terminate the guardianship if, at the hearing, the court finds that it has been proved by clear and convincing evidence that there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the last order affecting the guardianship was entered and the parent is willing and able to carry out the duties of a guardian and if the court determines that termination of the guardianship would be in the best interests of the child.
48.977(7)(e)
(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.
48.977(8)(a)(a) This section does not abridge the duties or authority of a guardian appointed under
ch. 880.
48.977(8)(b)
(b) Nothing in this section prohibits an individual from petitioning a court under
ch. 880 for appointment of a guardian.
48.977 History
History: 1995 a. 275.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
48.98
48.98
Interstate placement of children. 48.98(1)
(1) No person may bring a child into this state or send a child out of this state for the purpose of placing the child in foster care or treatment foster care or for the purpose of adoption without a certificate from the department that the home is suitable for the child.
48.98(2)(a)(a) Any person, except a county department or licensed child welfare agency, who brings a child into this state for the purpose of placing the child in a foster home or treatment foster home shall, before the child's arrival in this state, file with the department a $1,000 noncancelable bond in favor of this state, furnished by a surety company licensed to do business in this state. The condition of the bond shall be that the child will not become dependent on public funds for his or her primary support before the child reaches age 18 or is adopted.
48.98(2)(b)
(b) By filing the bond required under
par. (a), the person filing the bond and the surety submit to the jurisdiction of the court in the county in which the person resides for purposes of liability on the bond, and appoint the clerk of the court as their agent upon whom any papers affecting their bond liability may be served.
48.98(2)(c)
(c) If upon affidavit of the department it appears to the court that the condition of the bond has been violated, the court shall order the person who filed the bond and the surety to show cause why judgment on the bond should not be entered for the department. If neither the person nor the surety appears for the hearing on the order to show cause, or if the court concludes after the hearing that the condition of the bond has been violated, the court shall enter judgment on the bond for the department against the person who filed the bond and the surety.
48.98(2)(d)
(d) The department shall periodically bill the person who filed the bond and the surety under
s. 46.03 (18) (b) or
46.10 for the cost of care and maintenance of the child until the child is adopted or becomes age 18, whichever is earlier. The guardian and surety shall also be liable under the bond for costs incurred by the department in enforcing the bond.
48.98(2)(e)
(e) The department may waive the bond requirement under
par. (a).
48.98(3)
(3) The person bringing or sending the child into or out of this state shall report to the department, at least once each year and at any other time required by the department, concerning the location and well-being of the child, until the child is 18 years of age or is adopted.
48.98(4)(a)(a) This section applies only to interstate placements of children which are not governed by
s. 48.988.
48.98(4)(b)
(b) Section 48.839 governs the placement of children who are not U.S. citizens and not under agency guardianship who are brought into this state from a foreign jurisdiction for the purpose of adoption.
48.98(5)
(5) The department may promulgate all rules necessary for the enforcement of this section.
48.981
48.981
Abused or neglected children. 48.981(1)(am)
(am) "Caregiver" means, with respect to a child who is the victim or alleged victim of abuse or neglect or who is threatened with abuse or neglect, any of the following persons:
48.981(1)(am)1.
1. The child's parent, grandparent, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother or half sister.
48.981(1)(am)4.
4. A person who resides or has resided regularly or intermittently in the same dwelling as the child.
48.981(1)(am)5.
5. An employe of a residential facility or child caring institution in which the child was or is placed.
48.981(1)(am)6.
6. A person who provides or has provided care for the child in or outside of the child's home.
48.981(1)(am)7.
7. Any other person who exercises or has exercised temporary or permanent control over the child or who temporarily or permanently supervises or has supervised the child.
48.981(1)(am)8.
8. Any relative of the child other than a relative specified in
subd. 1.
48.981(1)(cs)
(cs) "Indian child" means any unmarried person who is under the age of 18 years and is affiliated with an Indian tribe or band in any of the following ways:
48.981(1)(cs)2.
2. As a person who is both eligible for membership in the tribe or band and is the biological child of a member of the tribe or band.
48.981(1)(d)
(d) "Neglect" means failure, refusal or inability on the part of a parent, guardian, legal custodian or other person exercising temporary or permanent control over a child, for reasons other than poverty, to provide necessary care, food, clothing, medical or dental care or shelter so as to seriously endanger the physical health of the child.
48.981(1)(f)
(f) "Record" means any document relating to the investigation, assessment and disposition of a report under this section.
48.981(1)(fm)
(fm) "Relative" means a parent, grandparent, stepparent, brother, sister, first cousin, 2nd cousin, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, stepgrandparent, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, stepuncle or stepaunt.
48.981(1)(g)
(g) "Reporter" means a person who reports suspected abuse or neglect or a belief that abuse or neglect will occur under this section.
48.981(1)(h)
(h) "Subject" means a person named in a report or record as either of the following:
48.981(1)(h)1.
1. A child who is the victim or alleged victim of abuse or neglect or who is threatened with abuse or neglect.
48.981(1)(h)2.
2. A person who is suspected of abuse or neglect or who has been determined to have abused or neglected a child.
48.981(1)(i)
(i) "Tribal agent" means the person designated under
25 CFR 23.12 by an Indian tribe or band to receive notice of involuntary child custody proceedings under the Indian child welfare act,
25 USC 1901 to
1963.
48.981(2)
(2) Persons required to report. A physician, coroner, medical examiner, nurse, dentist, chiropractor, optometrist, acupuncturist, other medical or mental health professional, social worker, marriage and family therapist, professional counselor, public assistance worker, including a financial and employment planner, as defined in
s. 49.141 (1) (d), school teacher, administrator or counselor, mediator under
s. 767.11, child care worker in a day care center or child caring institution, day care provider, alcohol or other drug abuse counselor, member of the treatment staff employed by or working under contract with a county department under
s. 46.23,
51.42 or
51.437, physical therapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, speech-language pathologist, audiologist, emergency medical technician or police or law enforcement officer having reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen in the course of professional duties has been abused or neglected or having reason to believe that a child seen in the course of professional duties has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur shall, except as provided under
sub. (2m), report as provided in
sub. (3). Any other person, including an attorney, having reason to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected or reason to believe that a child has been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the child will occur may make such a report. No person making a report under this subsection may be discharged from employment for so doing.
48.981(2m)
(2m) Exception to reporting requirement. 48.981(2m)(a)(a) The purpose of this subsection is to allow children to obtain confidential health care services.
48.981(2m)(b)2.
2. "Health care service" means family planning services, pregnancy testing, obstetrical health care or screening, diagnosis and treatment for a sexually transmitted disease.
48.981(2m)(c)
(c) Except as provided under
pars. (d) and
(e), the following persons are not required to report as suspected or threatened abuse, as defined in
s. 48.02 (1) (b), sexual intercourse or sexual contact involving a child:
48.981(2m)(c)1.
1. A health care provider who provides any health care service to a child.
48.981(2m)(c)4.
4. A person who obtains information about a child who is receiving or has received health care services from a health care provider.
48.981(2m)(d)
(d) Any person described under
par. (c) 1. or
4. shall report as required under
sub. (2) if he or she has reason to suspect any of the following:
48.981(2m)(d)1.
1. That the sexual intercourse or sexual contact occurred or is likely to occur with a caregiver.
48.981(2m)(d)2.
2. That the child suffered or suffers from a mental illness or mental deficiency that rendered or renders the child temporarily or permanently incapable of understanding or evaluating the consequences of his or her actions.
48.981(2m)(d)3.
3. That the child, because of his or her age or immaturity, was or is incapable of understanding the nature or consequences of sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
48.981(2m)(d)4.
4. That the child was unconscious at the time of the act or for any other reason was physically unable to communicate unwillingness to engage in sexual intercourse or sexual contact.
48.981(2m)(d)5.
5. That another participant in the sexual contact or sexual intercourse was or is exploiting the child.
48.981(2m)(e)
(e) In addition to the reporting requirements under
par. (d), a person described under
par. (c) 1. or
4. shall report as required under
sub. (2) if he or she has any reasonable doubt as to the voluntariness of the child's participation in the sexual contact or sexual intercourse.
48.981(3)(a)(a)
Referral of report. A person required to report under
sub. (2) shall immediately inform, by telephone or personally, the county department or the sheriff or city, village or town police department of the facts and circumstances contributing to a suspicion of child abuse or neglect or to a belief that abuse or neglect will occur. The sheriff or police department shall within 12 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays, refer to the county department all cases reported to it. The county department may require that a subsequent report be made in writing. Each county department shall adopt a written policy specifying the kinds of reports it will routinely report to local law enforcement authorities.
48.981(3)(b)1.1. Any person reporting under this section may request an immediate investigation by the sheriff or police department if the person has reason to suspect that a child's health or safety is in immediate danger. Upon receiving such a request, the sheriff or police department shall immediately investigate to determine if there is reason to believe that the child's health or safety is in immediate danger and take any necessary action to protect the child.
48.981(3)(b)2.
2. If the investigating officer has reason under
s. 48.19 (1) (c) or
(d) 5. to take a child into custody, the investigating officer shall take the child into custody and deliver the child to the intake worker under
s. 48.20.
48.981(3)(b)3.
3. If the police or other law enforcement officials determine that criminal action is necessary, they shall refer the case to the district attorney for criminal prosecution.
48.981(3)(bm)
(bm)
Notice of report to Indian tribal agent. In a county which has wholly or partially within its boundaries a federally recognized Indian reservation or a bureau of Indian affairs service area for the Winnebago tribe, if a county department which receives a report under
par. (a) pertaining to a child knows that he or she is an Indian child who resides in the county, the county department shall provide notice, which shall consist only of the name and address of the child and the fact that a report has been received about that child, within 24 hours to one of the following:
48.981(3)(bm)1.
1. If the county department knows with which tribe or band the child is affiliated and it is a Wisconsin tribe or band, the tribal agent of that tribe or band.
