48.623(1)(b)1.
1. The guardian is a relative of the child or is a person who has a significant emotional relationship with the child and who, prior to the child's placement in out-of-home care, had an existing relationship with the child that is similar to a familial relationship.
48.623(1)(b)2.
2. The guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child.
48.623(1)(b)3.
3. The guardian is licensed as the child's foster parent and the guardian and all adults residing in the guardian's home meet the requirements specified in
s. 48.685.
48.623(1)(b)5.
5. Prior to being named as the guardian of the child, the guardian entered into a subsidized guardianship agreement under
sub. (2) with the county department or department.
48.623(1)(c)
(c) An order under
s. 48.345,
48.357,
48.363,
48.365,
938.345,
938.357,
938.363, or
938.365 placing the child, or continuing the placement of the child, outside of the child's home has been terminated, or any proceeding in which the child has been adjudged to be in need of protection or services specified in
s. 48.977 (2) (a) has been dismissed, as provided in
s. 48.977 (3r).
48.623(1)(d)
(d) If the county department or department knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child, the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe have been provided with notice of the child's placement in the home of the guardian under
s. 48.977 (4) (c) 2m. and the court has found under
s. 48.977 (4) (g) 4. that the home of the guardian is in compliance with the order of placement preference under
s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable,
s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court found good cause, as described in
s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.
48.623(2)
(2) Subsidized guardianship agreement. Before a county department or the department may approve the provision of subsidized guardianship payments under
sub. (1) to a proposed guardian, the county department or department shall negotiate and enter into a written, binding subsidized guardianship agreement with the proposed guardian and provide the proposed guardian with a copy of the agreement. A subsidized guardianship agreement shall specify all of the following:
48.623(2)(a)
(a) The amount of the monthly subsidized guardianship payments that will be provided under the agreement and the manner in which those payments may be adjusted periodically, in consultation with the guardian, based on the circumstances of the guardian and the needs of the child.
48.623(2)(b)
(b) Any additional services and assistance for which the child or guardian will be eligible under the agreement, a description of those additional services and that additional assistance, and the procedures by which the guardian may apply for those additional services and that additional assistance.
48.623(2)(c)
(c) That the county department or department will pay the total cost of the nonrecurring expenses that are associated with obtaining guardianship of the child, not to exceed $2,000.
48.623(2)(d)
(d) That the agreement shall remain in effect without regard to the state of residence of the guardian.
48.623(2)(e)
(e) That, in determining eligibility for adoption assistance under
s. 48.975 and
42 USC 673 for the care of the child, the placement of the child in the home of the guardian and any payments made under
sub. (1) shall be considered never to have been made.
48.623(3)(a)(a) Except as provided in this paragraph, the county department shall provide the monthly payments under
sub. (1) or
(6). The county department shall provide those payments from moneys received under
s. 48.48 (8p) or
48.569 (1) (d). In a county having a population of 750,000 or more or in the circumstances specified in
s. 48.43 (7) (a) or
48.485 (1), the department shall provide the monthly payments under
sub. (1) or
(6). The department shall provide those payments from the appropriations under
s. 20.437 (1) (dd) and
(pd).
48.623(3)(b)
(b) The county department or, as provided in
par. (a), the department shall determine the initial amount of a monthly payment under
sub. (1) or
(6) for the care of a child based on the circumstances of the guardian and the needs of the child. That amount may not exceed the amount received under
s. 48.62 (4) by the guardian of the child for the month immediately preceding the month in which the guardianship order was granted. A guardian or an interim caretaker who receives a monthly payment under
sub. (1) or
(6) for the care of a child is not eligible to receive a payment under
s. 48.57 (3m) or
(3n) or
48.62 (4) for the care of that child.
48.623(3)(c)1.1. If a person who is receiving monthly subsidized guardianship payments under an agreement under
sub. (2) believes that there has been a substantial change in circumstances, as defined by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (7) (a), he or she may request that the agreement be amended to increase the amount of those payments. If a request is received under this subdivision, the county department or department shall determine whether there has been a substantial change in circumstances and whether there has been a substantiated report of abuse or neglect of the child by the person receiving those payments. 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 that person, the county department or department shall offer to increase the amount of those payments based on criteria established by the department by rule promulgated under
sub. (7) (b). If an increased monthly subsidized guardianship payment is agreed to by the person receiving those payments, the county department or department shall amend the agreement in writing to specify the increased amount of those payments.
48.623(3)(c)2.
2. Annually, a county department or the department shall review an agreement that has been amended under
subd. 1. 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 county department or department shall offer to decrease the amount of the monthly subsidized guardianship payments provided under
sub. (1) based on criteria established by the department under
sub. (7) (c). If the decreased amount of those payments is agreed to by the person receiving those payments, the county department or department shall amend the agreement in writing to specify the decreased amount of those payments. If the decreased amount of those payments is not agreed to by the person receiving those payments, that person may appeal the decision of the county department or department regarding the decrease under
sub. (5).
48.623(3)(c)3.
3. A county department or the department may propose to a person receiving monthly subsidized guardianship payments that the agreement under
sub. (2) (b) be amended to adjust the amount of those payments. If an adjustment in the amount of those payments is agreed to by the person receiving those payments, the agreement shall be amended in writing to specify the adjusted amount of those payments.
48.623(3)(d)
(d) The department or a county department may recover an overpayment made under
sub. (1) or
(6) from a guardian or interim caretaker who continues to receive those payments by reducing the amount of the person's monthly payment. The department may by rule specify other methods for recovering those overpayments. A county department that recovers an overpayment under this paragraph due to the efforts of its officers and employees may retain a portion of the amount recovered, as provided by the department by rule.
48.623(4)
(4) Annual review. A county department or the department shall review a placement of a child for which the county department or department makes payments under
sub. (1) not less than every 12 months after the county department or department begins making those payments to determine whether the child and the guardian remain eligible for those payments. If the child or the guardian is no longer eligible for those payments, the county department or department shall discontinue making those payments.
48.623(5)(a)(a) Any person whose application for payments under
sub. (1) is not acted on promptly or is denied on the grounds that a condition specified in
sub. (1) has not been met and any person whose payments under
sub. (1) are decreased under
sub. (3) (c) 2. or discontinued under
sub. (4) may petition the department under
par. (b) for a review of that action or failure to act. Review is unavailable if the action or failure to act arose more than 45 days before submission of the petition for review.
48.623(5)(b)1.1. Upon receipt of a timely petition described in
par. (a) the department shall give the applicant or recipient reasonable notice and an opportunity for a fair hearing. The department may make such additional investigation as it considers necessary. Notice of the hearing shall be given to the applicant or recipient and to the county department or subunit of the department whose action or failure to act is the subject of the petition. That county department or subunit of the department may be represented at the hearing. The department shall render its decision as soon as possible after the hearing and shall send a certified copy of its decision to the applicant or recipient and to the county department or subunit of the department whose action or failure to act is the subject of the petition. The decision of the department shall have the same effect as an order of the county department or subunit of the department whose action or failure to act is the subject of the petition. The decision shall be final, but may be revoked or modified as altered conditions may require. The department shall deny a petition for review or shall refuse to grant relief if any of the following applies:
48.623(5)(b)1.b.
b. The sole issue in the petition concerns an automatic payment adjustment or change that affects an entire class of recipients and is the result of a change in state law.
48.623(5)(b)1.c.
c. The petitioner abandons the petition. Abandonment occurs if the petitioner fails to appear in person or by a representative at a scheduled hearing without good cause, as determined by the department.
48.623(5)(b)2.
2. If a recipient requests a hearing within 10 days after the date of notice that his or her payments under
sub. (1) are being decreased or discontinued, those payments may not be decreased or discontinued until a decision is rendered after the hearing but payments made pending the hearing decision may be recovered by the department if the contested action or failure to act is upheld. The department shall promptly notify the county department or the subunit of the department whose action is the subject of the hearing that the recipient has requested a hearing. Payments under
sub. (1) shall be decreased or discontinued if the recipient is contesting a state law or a change in state law and not the determination of the payment made on the recipient's behalf.
48.623(5)(b)3.
3. The recipient shall be promptly informed in writing if his or her payments under
sub. (1) are to be decreased or discontinued pending the hearing decision.
48.623(6)
(6) Interim caretaker. On the death, incapacity, resignation, or removal of a guardian receiving payments under
sub. (1), the county department or the department providing those payments shall provide monthly subsidized guardianship payments in the amount specified in
sub. (3) (b) for a period of up to 12 months to an interim caretaker if all of the following conditions are met:
48.623(6)(a)
(a) The county department or department inspects the home of the interim caretaker, interviews the interim caretaker, and determines that placement of the child with the interim caretaker is in the best interests of the child. In the case of an Indian child, the best interests of the Indian child shall be determined in accordance with
s. 48.01 (2).
48.623(6)(b)
(b) The county department or department conducts a background investigation under
s. 48.685 of the interim caretaker and any nonclient resident, as defined in
s. 48.685 (1) (bm), of the home of the interim caretaker and determines that those individuals meet the requirements specified in
s. 48.685. The county department or department shall provide the department of health services with information about each person who is denied monthly subsidized guardianship payments or permission to reside in the home of an interim caretaker for a reason specified in
s. 48.685 (4m) (a) 1. to
5. or
(b) 1. to
5.
48.623(6)(c)
(c) The interim caretaker cooperates with the county department or department in finding a permanent placement for the child.
48.623(6)(d)
(d) If the county department or department knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child, the county department or department provides notice of the Indian child's placement in the home of the interim caretaker to the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe and determines that the home of the interim caretaker complies with the order of placement preference under
s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable,
s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the county department or department finds good cause, as described in
s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.
48.623(7)
(7) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section. Those rules shall include all of the following:
48.623(7)(a)
(a) A rule defining the substantial change in circumstances under which a person receiving monthly subsidized guardianship payments under
sub. (1) may request that an agreement made under
sub. (2) be amended to increase the amount of those payments.
48.623(7)(b)
(b) Rules establishing requirements for submitting a request under
sub. (3) (c) 1. and criteria for determining the amount of the increase in monthly subsidized guardianship payments that a county department or 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 person receiving those payments.
48.623(7)(c)
(c) Rules establishing the criteria for determining the amount of the decrease in monthly subsidized guardianship payments that the department shall offer under
sub. (3) (c) 2. if a substantial change in circumstances no longer exists. The criteria shall provide that the amount of the decrease offered by the department under
sub. (3) (c) 2. may not result in a monthly subsidized guardianship payment that is less than the initial monthly subsidized guardianship payment provided for the child under
sub. (1).
48.623 History
History: 2011 a. 32 ss.
1332n,
1332q to
1332u,
1332w; Stats. 2011 s. 48.623;
2013 a. 20.
48.623 Cross-reference
Cross-reference: See also ch.
DCF 55, Wis. adm. code.
48.625
48.625
Licensing of group homes; fees. 48.625(1)
(1) Any person who receives, with or without transfer of legal custody, 5 to 8 children, not including children who under
sub. (1m) are not counted toward that number, to provide care and maintenance for those children shall obtain a license to operate a group home from the department. To obtain a license under this subsection to operate a group home, a person must meet the determination of need requirement under
sub. (1g), meet the minimum requirements for a license established by the department under
s. 48.67, meet the requirements specified in
s. 48.685, and pay the license fee under
sub. (2). A license issued under this subsection is valid until revoked or suspended, but shall be reviewed every 2 years as provided in
s. 48.66 (5).
48.625(1g)
(1g) No person may apply for a license under
sub. (1) to operate a new group home or for an amendment to a license under
sub. (1) that would increase the bed capacity of an existing group home until the department has reviewed the need for the additional placement resources that would be made available by the issuance or amendment of the license and has certified in writing that a need exists for the proposed additional placement resources. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this subsection.
48.625(1m)
(1m) The department may issue a license under
sub. (1) authorizing a group home solely to provide a safe and structured living arrangement for children 12 years of age or over who are custodial parents, as defined in
s. 49.141 (1) (b), or expectant mothers and who are placed in the group home under
s. 48.345 (3) (cm) or
938.34 (3) (cm) and for children 14 years of age or over who are custodial parents, as defined in
s. 49.141 (1) (b), or expectant mothers and who are placed in the group home under voluntary agreements under
s. 48.63 (5), and to provide those children with training in parenting skills, including child development, family budgeting, health and nutrition, and other skills to promote the long-term economic independence of those children and the well-being of the children of those children. In licensing a group home described in this subsection, the department may not count toward the number of children whom the group home is licensed to serve the child of a child who is placed in the group home. The department shall promulgate rules establishing standards for a group home described in this subsection. Those rules shall require such a group home to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the child of any child custodial parent who has been placed in that group home and to have a policy governing visitation between such a child and the child's noncustodial parent.
48.625(2)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (c), before the department may issue a license under
sub. (1) to a group home, the group home must pay to the department a biennial fee of $121, plus a biennial fee of $18.15 per child, based on the number of children that the group home is licensed to serve. A group home that wishes to continue a license issued under
sub. (1) shall pay the fee under this paragraph by the continuation date of the license. A new group home shall pay the fee under this paragraph no later than 30 days before the opening of the group home.
48.625(2)(b)
(b) A group home that wishes to continue a license issued under
sub. (1) and that fails to pay the fee under
par. (a) by the continuation date of the license or a new group home that fails to pay the fee under
par. (a) by 30 days before the opening of the group home shall pay an additional fee of $5 per day for every day after the deadline that the group home fails to pay the fee.
48.625(2)(c)
(c) An individual who is eligible for a fee waiver under the veterans fee waiver program under
s. 45.44 is not required to pay the fee under
par. (a) for a license under
sub. (1).
48.625(2m)
(2m) When the department issues a license to operate a group home, the department shall notify the clerk of the school district in which the group home is located that a group home has been licensed in the school district.
48.625(3)
(3) This section does not apply to a foster home licensed under
s. 48.62 (1) or to a relative or guardian of a child or a person delegated care and custody of a child under
s. 48.979 who provides care and maintenance for the child.
48.627
48.627
Foster and family-operated group home parent insurance and liability. 48.627(1)
(1) In this section, "family-operated group home" means a home licensed under
s. 48.625 for which the licensee is one or more individuals who operate not more than one group home.
48.627(2)(a)(a) Before the department, a county department, or a licensed child welfare agency may issue, renew, or continue a foster home or family-operated group home license, the licensing agency shall require the applicant to furnish proof satisfactory to the licensing agency that he or she has homeowner's or renter's liability insurance that provides coverage for negligent acts or omissions by children placed in a foster home or family-operated group home that result in bodily injury or property damage to 3rd parties.
48.627(2)(b)
(b) A licensing agency may, in accordance with rules promulgated by the department, waive the requirement under
par. (a) if the applicant shows that he or she is unable to obtain the required insurance, that he or she has had a homeowner's or renter's liability insurance policy canceled or that payment of the premium for the required insurance would cause undue financial hardship.
48.627(2)(c)
(c) The department shall conduct a study to determine the cost-effectiveness of purchasing insurance to provide standard homeowner's or renter's liability insurance coverage for applicants who are granted a waiver under
par. (b). If the department determines that it would be cost-effective to purchase such insurance, it may purchase the insurance from the appropriations under
s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and
(pd).
48.627(2)(d)
(d) The licensing agency shall specify the amounts of liability insurance coverage required under
par. (a).
48.627(2c)
(2c) The department shall determine the cost-effectiveness of purchasing private insurance that would provide coverage to foster and family-operated group home parents for acts or omissions by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home or a family-operated group home. If this private insurance is cost-effective and available, the department shall purchase the insurance from the appropriations under
s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and
(pd). If the insurance is unavailable, payment of claims for acts or omissions by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home or a family-operated group home shall be in accordance with
subs. (2m) to
(3).
48.627(2m)
(2m) Within the limits of the appropriations under
s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and
(pd), the department shall pay claims to the extent not covered by any other insurance and subject to the limitations specified in
sub. (3), for bodily injury or property damage sustained by a licensed foster or family-operated group home parent or a member of the foster or family-operated group home parent's family as a result of the act of a child in the foster or family-operated group home parent's care.
48.627(2s)
(2s) Within the limits of the appropriations under
s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and
(pd), the department may pay claims to the extent not covered by any other insurance and subject to the limitations specified in
sub. (3), for all of the following:
48.627(2s)(a)
(a) Acts or omissions of the foster or family-operated group home parent that result in bodily injury to the child who is placed in the foster home or family-operated group home or that form the basis for a civil action for damages by the foster child's parent against the foster or family-operated group home parent.
48.627(2s)(b)
(b) Bodily injury or property damage caused by an act or omission of a child who is placed in the foster or family-operated group home parent's care for which the foster or family-operated group home parent becomes legally liable.
48.627(3)(b)(b) A claim under
sub. (2m) shall be submitted to the department within 90 days after the bodily injury or property damage occurs. A claim under
sub. (2s) shall be submitted within 90 days after a foster or family-operated group home parent learns that a legal action has been commenced against that parent. No claim may be paid under this subsection unless it is submitted within the time limits specified in this paragraph.
48.627(3)(c)
(c) The department shall review and approve in whole or in part or disapprove all claims received under this subsection during each 3-month period beginning with the period from July 1, 1985, to September 30, 1985.
48.627(3)(d)
(d) No claim may be approved in an amount exceeding the total amount available for paying claims under this subsection in the fiscal year during which the claim is submitted. No claim for property damage sustained by a foster or family-operated group home parent or a member of a foster or family-operated group home parent's family may be approved in an amount exceeding $250,000.
48.627(3)(e)
(e) The department may not approve a claim unless the foster or family-operated group home parent submits with the claim evidence that is satisfactory to the department of the cause and value of the claim and evidence that insurance coverage is unavailable or inadequate to cover the claim. If insurance is available but inadequate, the department may approve a claim only for the amount of the value of the claim that it determines is in excess of the amount covered by insurance.
48.627(3)(f)
(f) If the total amount of the claims approved during any calendar quarter exceeds 25% of the total funds available during the fiscal year for purposes of this subsection plus any unencumbered funds remaining from the previous quarter, the department shall prorate the available funds among the claimants with approved claims. The department shall also prorate any unencumbered funds remaining in the appropriation under
s. 20.437 (1) (cf) at the end of each fiscal year among the claimants whose claims were prorated during the fiscal year. Payment of a prorated amount from unencumbered funds remaining at the end of the fiscal year constitutes a complete payment of the claim for purposes of this program, but does not prohibit a foster parent or family-operated group home parent from submitting a claim under
s. 16.007 for the unpaid portion.
48.627(3)(g)
(g) A claimant whose claim is denied or whose payment is prorated is not entitled to a hearing under
ch. 227 on the issue of the denial or proration.
48.627(3)(h)
(h) If a claim by a foster or family-operated group home parent or a member of the foster or family-operated group home parent's family is approved, the department shall deduct from the amount approved $100 less any amount deducted by an insurance company from a payment for the same claim, except that a foster or family-operated group home parent and his or her family are subject to only one deductible for all claims filed in a fiscal year.
48.627(3)(i)
(i) The department may enter into a contract for the administration of this subsection.
48.627(4)
(4) Except as provided in
s. 895.485, the department is not liable for any act or omission by or affecting a child who is placed in a foster home or family-operated group home, but shall, as provided in this section, pay claims described under
sub. (2m) and may pay claims described under
sub. (2s) or may purchase insurance to cover such claims as provided for under
sub. (2c), within the limits of the appropriations under
s. 20.437 (1) (cf) and
(pd).
48.627(5)
(5) The attorney general may represent a foster or family-operated group home parent in any civil action arising out of an act or omission of the foster or family-operated group home parent while acting in his or her capacity as a foster or family-operated group home parent.
48.63
48.63
Restrictions on placements. 48.63(1)(a)(a) Acting under court order or voluntary agreement, the child's parent, guardian, or Indian custodian, or the department, the department of corrections, a county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22, or
46.23, or a child welfare agency licensed to place children in foster homes or group homes may place a child or negotiate or act as intermediary for the placement of a child in a foster home or group home. Voluntary agreements under this paragraph may not be used for placements in facilities other than foster homes or group homes and may not be extended. A foster home placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 180 days from the date on which the child was removed from the home under the voluntary agreement. A group home placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 15 days from the date on which the child was removed from the home under the voluntary agreement, except as provided in
sub. (5). These periods do not apply to placements made under
s. 48.345,
938.183,
938.34, or
938.345.
48.63(1)(b)
(b) Acting under a voluntary agreement, a child's parent, guardian, or Indian custodian, the department, the department of corrections, a county department under
s. 46.215,
46.22, or
46.23, or a child welfare agency licensed to place children in shelter care facilities, may place the child or negotiate or act as intermediary for the placement of the child in a shelter care facility that the department has approved under
s. 938.22 (2) (c) for use for placements under this paragraph. A voluntary agreement under this paragraph may not be used for placement in a facility other than an approved shelter care facility. A shelter care facility placement under a voluntary agreement may not exceed 20 days from the date on which the child was placed in the shelter care facility under the voluntary agreement and may not be extended.
48.63(1)(c)
(c) Voluntary agreements may be made only under
par. (a) or
(b) or
sub. (5) (b), shall be in writing, and shall specifically state that the agreement may be terminated at any time by the parent, guardian, or Indian custodian or by the child if the child's consent to the agreement is required. In the case of an Indian child who is placed under
par. (a) or
(b) by the voluntary agreement of the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian, the voluntary consent of the parent or Indian custodian to the placement shall be given as provided in
s. 48.028 (5) (a). The child's consent to an agreement under
par. (a) or
(b) is required whenever the child is 12 years of age or older.
48.63(1)(d)
(d) If a county department, the department, or the department of corrections places a child or negotiates or acts as intermediary for the placement of a child under
par. (a) or
(b), the voluntary agreement shall also specifically state that the county department, department, or department of corrections has placement and care responsibility for the child as required under
42 USC 672 (a) (2) and has primary responsibility for providing services to the child.
48.63(2)
(2) No person may place a child or offer or hold himself or herself out as able to place a child, except as provided in this section. Enrollment of a child by a parent or guardian in an educational institution and delegation of care and custody of a child to an agent under
s. 48.979 do not constitute a placement for the purposes of this section.
48.63(3)(b)1.1. At the request of a parent having custody of a child and the proposed adoptive parent or parents of the child, the department, a county department under
s. 48.57 (1) (e) or
(hm), or a child welfare agency licensed under
s. 48.60 may place the child in the home of the proposed adoptive parent or parents prior to termination of parental rights to the child as provided in
subd. 2. or
3., whichever is applicable, and
subd. 4. In placing an Indian child for adoption under this subdivision, the department, county department, or child welfare agency shall comply with the order of placement preference under
s. 48.028 (7) (a) or, if applicable,
s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the department, county department, or child welfare agency finds good cause, as described in
s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.
