48.975(4)(a)(a) Except in extenuating circumstances, as defined by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (a), a written agreement to provide adoption assistance shall be made prior to adoption. An agreement to provide adoption assistance may be made only for a child who, at the time of placement for adoption, is in the guardianship of the department or other agency authorized to place children for adoption or in the guardianship of an American Indian tribal agency in this state.
48.975(4)(b)
(b) If an agreement to provide adoption assistance is in effect and if the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents of the child who is the subject of the agreement believe there has been a substantial change in circumstances, as defined by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (c), the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents may request that the agreement be amended to increase the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. If a request is received under this paragraph, the department shall do all of the following:
48.975(4)(b)1.
1. Determine whether there has been a substantial change in circumstances, as defined by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (c) and whether there has been a substantiated report of abuse or neglect of the child by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents.
48.975(4)(b)2.
2. If there has been a substantial change in circumstances and if there has been no substantiated report of abuse or neglect of the child by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, offer to increase the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance based on criteria established by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (5) (d).
48.975(4)(b)3.
3. If an increased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, amend the agreement in writing to specify the increased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance.
48.975(4)(bm)
(bm) Annually, the department shall review an agreement that has been amended under
par. (b) to determine whether the substantial change in circumstances that was the basis for amending the agreement continues to exist. If that substantial change in circumstances continues to exist, the agreement, as amended, shall remain in effect. If that substantial change in circumstances no longer exists, the department shall offer to decrease the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance based on criteria established by the department under
sub. (5) (dm). If the decreased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, the department shall amend the agreement in writing to specify the decreased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. If the decreased amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is not agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents may appeal the decision of the department regarding the decrease under the procedure established by the department under
sub. (5) (dm).
48.975(4)(c)
(c) The department may propose to the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents that an agreement to provide adoption assistance be amended to adjust the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. If an adjustment in the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance is agreed to by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, the agreement shall be amended in writing to specify the adjusted amount of adoption assistance for maintenance.
48.975(4)(d)
(d) An agreement to provide adoption assistance may be amended more than once under
par. (b) or
(c).
48.975(5)
(5) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules necessary to implement this section, which shall include all of the following:
48.975(5)(a)
(a) A rule defining the extenuating circumstances under which an initial agreement to provide adoption assistance under
sub. (4) (a) may be made after adoption. This definition shall include all circumstances under which federal statutes, regulations or guidelines provide that federal matching funds for adoption assistance are available to the state if an initial agreement is made after adoption, but may not include circumstances under which federal statutes, regulations or guidelines provide that federal matching funds for adoption assistance are not available if an initial agreement is made after adoption.
48.975(5)(b)
(b) A rule defining a child with special needs, which shall include a child who the department determines has, at the time of placement for adoption, moderate or intensive difficulty-of-care problems, as defined by the department, or who the department determines is, at the time of placement for adoption, at high risk of developing those problems.
48.975(5)(c)
(c) A rule defining the substantial change in circumstances under which adoptive or proposed adoptive parents may request that an agreement made under
sub. (4) be amended to increase the amount of adoption assistance for maintenance. The definition shall include all of the following:
48.975(5)(c)1.
1. Situations in which a child who was defined as a child with special needs based solely on being at high risk of developing moderate or intensive difficulty-of-care problems has developed those problems.
48.975(5)(c)2.
2. Situations in which a child's difficulty-of-care problems have increased from the moderate level to the intensive level as set forth in the department's schedule of difficulty-of-care levels promulgated by rule.
48.975(5)(d)
(d) Rules establishing requirements for submitting a request under
sub. (4) (b), criteria for determining the amount of the increase in adoption assistance for maintenance that the department shall offer if there has been a substantial change in circumstances and if there has been no substantiated report of abuse or neglect of the child by the adoptive or proposed adoptive parents, and the procedure to appeal the decision of the department regarding the request.
48.975(5)(dm)
(dm) Rules establishing the criteria for determining the amount of the decrease in adoption assistance for maintenance that the department shall offer under
sub. (4) (bm) if a substantial change in circumstances no longer exists and the procedure to appeal the decision of the department regarding the decrease. The criteria shall provide that the amount of the decrease offered by the department under
sub. (4) (bm) may not result in an amount of adoption assistance for maintenance that is less than the initial amount of adoption assistance for maintenance provided for the child under
sub. (3) (a) 1.,
2. or
3.
48.975(5)(e)
(e) A rule regarding when a child must be photolisted with the adoption information exchange under
s. 48.55 in order to be eligible for adoption assistance. The rule may not require photolisting under any circumstances in which photolisting is not required by federal statutes, regulations or guidelines as a prerequisite for the state to receive federal matching funds for adoption assistance.
48.977
48.977
Appointment of relatives as guardians for certain children in need of protection or services. 48.977(2)
(2) Type of guardianship. This section may be used for the appointment of a relative of a child as a guardian of the person for the child if the court finds all of the following:
48.977(2)(a)
(a) That the child has been adjudged to be in need of protection or services under
s. 48.13 (1),
(2),
(3),
(3m),
(4),
(5),
(8),
(9),
(10),
(10m),
(11) or
(11m) or
938.13 (4) and been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home pursuant to one or more court orders under
s. 48.345,
48.357,
48.363,
48.365,
938.345,
938.357,
938.363 or
938.365 for a cumulative total period of one year or longer.
48.977(2)(b)
(b) That the person nominated as the guardian of the child is a relative of the child with whom the child has been placed and that it is likely that the child will continue to be placed with that relative for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years.
48.977(2)(c)
(c) That, if appointed, it is likely that the relative would be willing and able to serve as the child's guardian for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years.
48.977(2)(d)
(d) That it is not in the best interests of the child that a petition to terminate parental rights be filed with respect to the child.
48.977(2)(e)
(e) That the child's parent is neglecting, refusing or unable to carry out the duties of a guardian or, if the child has 2 parents, both parents are neglecting, refusing or unable to carry out the duties of a guardian.
48.977(2)(f)
(f) That the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order has made reasonable efforts to make it possible for the child to return to his or her home, while assuring that the child's health and safety are the paramount concerns, but that reunification of the child with the child's parent or parents is unlikely or contrary to the best interests of the child and that further reunification efforts are unlikely to be made or are contrary to the best interests of the child, except that the court need not find that the agency has made those reasonable efforts with respect to a parent of the child if any of the circumstances specified in
s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1.,
2.,
3. or
4. apply to that parent.
48.977(3)
(3) Designation as a permanent placement. If a court appoints a guardian for a child under
sub. (2), the court may designate the child's placement with that guardian as the child's permanent foster placement, but only for purposes of
s. 48.368 (2) or
938.368 (2).
48.977(4)(a)(a)
Who may file petition. Any of the following persons may file a petition for the appointment of a guardian for a child under
sub. (2):
48.977(4)(a)1.
1. The child or the child's guardian or legal custodian.
48.977(4)(a)4.
4. The relative with whom the child is placed if the relative is nominated as the guardian of the child in the petition.
48.977(4)(a)7.
7. A licensed child welfare agency that has been assigned primary responsibility for providing services to the child under a court order.
48.977(4)(b)
(b) Contents of petition. A proceeding for the appointment of a guardian for a child under
sub. (2) shall be initiated by a petition which shall be entitled "In the interest of .... (child's name), a person under the age of 18" and shall set forth all of the following with specificity:
48.977(4)(b)2.
2. The names and addresses of the child's parent or parents, guardian and legal custodian.
48.977(4)(b)3.
3. The date the child was adjudged in need of protection or services under
s. 48.13 (1),
(2),
(3),
(3m),
(4),
(5),
(8),
(9),
(10),
(10m),
(11) or
(11m) or
938.13 (4) and the dates that the child has been placed, or continued in a placement, outside of his or her home pursuant to one or more court orders under
s. 48.345,
48.357,
48.363,
48.365,
938.345,
938.357,
938.363 or
938.365.
48.977(4)(b)4.
4. A statement of the facts and circumstances which the petition alleges establish that the conditions specified in
sub. (2) (b) to
(f) are met.
48.977(4)(b)5.
5. A statement of whether the proceedings are subject to the uniform child custody jurisdiction act under
ch. 822.
48.977(4)(c)1.1. The petitioner shall cause the petition and notice of the time and place of the hearing under
par. (cm) to be served upon all of the following persons:
48.977(4)(c)1.g.
g. The relative with whom the child is placed if the relative is nominated as the guardian of the child in the petition.
48.977(4)(c)1.i.
i. The agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order.
48.977(4)(c)2.
2. Service shall be made by 1st class mail at least 7 days before the hearing or by personal service at least 7 days before the hearing or, if with reasonable diligence a party specified in
subd. 1. cannot be served by mail or personal service, service shall be made by publication of a notice published as a class 1 notice under
ch. 985. In determining which newspaper is likely to give notice as required under
s. 985.02 (1), the petitioner shall consider the residence of the party, if known, or the residence of the relatives of the party, if known, or the last-known location of the party.
48.977(4)(cm)1.1. A hearing to determine whether any party wishes to contest a petition filed under
par. (a) shall take place on a date which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the filing of the petition. At the hearing, the nonpetitioning parties and the child, if he or she is 12 years of age or over or is otherwise competent to do so, shall state whether they wish to contest the petition. Before accepting a plea of no contest to the allegations in the petition, the court shall do all of the following:
48.977(4)(cm)1.a.
a. Address the parties present and determine that the plea is made voluntarily and with understanding of the nature of the facts alleged in the petition, the nature of the potential disposition and the nature of the legal consequences of that disposition.
48.977(4)(cm)1.b.
b. Establish whether any promises or threats were made to elicit the plea of no contest and alert all unrepresented parties to the possibility that an attorney may discover grounds to contest the petition that would not be apparent to those parties.
48.977(4)(cm)1.c.
c. Make inquiries to establish to the satisfaction of the court that there is a factual basis for the plea of no contest.
48.977(4)(cm)2.
2. If the petition is not contested and if the court accepts the plea of no contest, the court may immediately proceed to a dispositional hearing under
par. (fm), unless an adjournment is requested. If a party requests an adjournment, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the plea hearing.
48.977(4)(cm)3.
3. If the petition is contested or if the court does not accept the plea of no contest, the court shall set a date for a fact-finding hearing under
par. (d) which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is not more than 30 days after the plea hearing.
48.977(4)(d)
(d) Fact-finding hearing. The court shall hold a fact-finding hearing on the petition on the date set by the court under
par. (cm) 3., at which any party may present evidence relevant to the issue of whether the conditions specified in
sub. (2) (a) to
(f) have been met. If the court, at the conclusion of the fact-finding hearing, finds by clear and convincing evidence that the conditions specified in
sub. (2) (a) to
(f) have been met, the court shall immediately proceed to a dispositional hearing unless an adjournment is requested. If a party requests an adjournment, the court shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 30 days after the fact-finding hearing.
48.977(4)(e)
(e)
Court report. The court shall order the person or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order to file with the court a report containing the written summary under
s. 48.38 (5) (e) and as much information relating to the appointment of a guardian as is reasonably ascertainable. The agency shall file the report at least 48 hours before the date of the dispositional hearing under
par. (fm).
48.977(4)(fm)
(fm) Dispositional hearing. The court shall hold a dispositional hearing on the petition at the time specified or set by the court under
par. (cm) 2. or
(d), at which any party may present evidence, including expert testimony, relevant to the disposition.
48.977(4)(g)
(g) Dispositional factors. In determining the appropriate disposition under this section, the best interests of the child shall be the prevailing factor to be considered by the court. In making a decision about the appropriate disposition, the court shall consider any report submitted under
par. (e) and shall consider, but not be limited to, all of the following:
48.977(4)(g)1.
1. Whether the relative would be a suitable guardian of the child.
48.977(4)(g)2.
2. The willingness and ability of the relative to serve as the child's guardian for an extended period of time or until the child attains the age of 18 years.
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.
