Chapter 48

48.299(6)(e)4. 4. If the genetic tests show that an alleged father is not excluded and that the statistical probability that the alleged father is the child’s biological father is 99.0 percent or higher, the court may determine that for purposes of a proceeding under this chapter, other than a proceeding under subch. VIII, the man is the child’s biological parent.

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

48.299(7) (7) If a man who has been given notice under s. 48.27 (3) (b) 1., 48.977 (4) (c) 1., 48.978 (2) (c) 1., or 48.9795 (4) (c) 1. appears at any hearing for which he received the notice but does not allege that he is the father of the child and state that he wishes to establish the paternity of the child or if no man to whom such notice was given appears at a hearing, the court may refer the matter to the state or to the attorney responsible for support enforcement under s. 59.53 (6) (a) for a determination, under s. 767.80, of whether an action should be brought for the purpose of determining the paternity of the child.

48.299(8) (8) As part of the proceedings under this chapter, the court may order that a record be made of any testimony of the child’s mother relating to the child’s paternity. A record made under this subsection is admissible in a proceeding to determine the child’s paternity under subch. IX of ch. 767.

48.299(9) (9) If at any point in the proceeding the court determines or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child, the court shall provide notice of the proceeding to the child’s parent, Indian custodian, and tribe in the manner specified in s. 48.028 (4) (a). The next hearing in the proceeding may not be held until at least 10 days after receipt of the notice by the parent, Indian custodian, and tribe or, if the identity or location of the parent, Indian custodian, or tribe cannot be determined, until at least 15 days after receipt of the notice by the U.S. secretary of the interior. On request of the parent, Indian custodian, or tribe, the court shall grant a continuance of up to 20 additional days to enable the requester to prepare for that hearing.

48.299 History History: 1979 c. 300; 1981 c. 353; 1985 a. 311; 1987 a. 27; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1991 a. 263, 269; 1993 a. 16, 32, 98, 227, 228, 395; 1995 a. 77, 201, 275; 1997 a. 35, 252, 292, 334; 1999 a. 32, 149; 2005 a. 443 s. 265; 2009 a. 28, 94, 180; 2011 a. 181, 258; 2013 a. 170, 252; 2015 a. 373; 2019 a. 109; Sup. Ct. Order No. 21-04, 2022 WI 26, 402 Wis. 2d xiii; s. 35.17 correction in (2m) (c).

48.299 Note Judicial Council Note, 1988: Sub. (5) allows a judicial review of the status of a child held in a county jail, or a continuation of custody hearing, to be held by telephone conference, or telephoned testimony to be admitted at such a hearing, on request of any party, unless good cause to the contrary is shown. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1988]

48.30 48.30 Plea hearing.

48.30(1) (1) Except as provided in s. 48.299 (9), the hearing to determine whether any party wishes to contest an allegation that the child or unborn child is in need of protection or services shall take place on a date which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is within 30 days after the filing of a petition for a child or an expectant mother who is not being held in secure custody or within 10 days after the filing of a petition for a child who is being held in secure custody.

48.30(2) (2) At the commencement of the hearing under this section the child and the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian; the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian, and the unborn child’s guardian ad litem; or the adult expectant mother and the unborn child’s guardian ad litem; shall be advised of the rights specified in s. 48.243 and shall be informed that a request for a jury trial or for a substitution of judge under s. 48.29 must be made before the end of the plea hearing or is waived. Nonpetitioning parties, including the child, shall be granted a continuance of the plea hearing if they wish to consult with an attorney on the request for a jury trial or substitution of a judge.

48.30(3) (3) If a petition alleges that a child is in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 or that an unborn child of a child expectant mother is in need of protection or services under s. 48.133, the nonpetitioning parties and the child, if he or she is 12 years of age or older or is otherwise competent to do so, shall state whether they desire to contest the petition. If a petition alleges that an unborn child of an adult expectant mother is in need of protection or services under s. 48.133, the adult expectant mother of the unborn child shall state whether she desires to contest the petition.

48.30(6) (6) 

48.30(6)(a) (a) If a petition is not contested, the court, subject to s. 48.299 (9), shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 10 days after the plea hearing for a child who is held in secure custody and no more than 30 days after the plea hearing for a child or an expectant mother who is not held in secure custody. Subject to s. 48.299 (9), if all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the dispositional hearing.

48.30(6)(b) (b) If it appears to the court that disposition of the case may include placement of the child outside the child’s home, the court shall order the child’s parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts, and living expenses to the court or the designated agency under s. 48.33 (1) at least 5 days before the scheduled date of the dispositional hearing or as otherwise ordered by the court. The clerk of court shall provide, without charge, to any parent ordered to provide a statement of income, assets, debts, and living expenses a document setting forth the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9) and the manner of its application established by the department under s. 49.345 (14) (g) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 49.345 (14) (c).

48.30(6)(c) (c) If the court orders the child’s parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court or if the court orders the child’s parent to provide that statement to the designated agency under s. 48.33 (1) and that designated agency is not the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department, the court shall also order the child’s parent to provide that statement to the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department at least 5 days before the scheduled date of the dispositional hearing or as otherwise ordered by the court. The county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department shall provide, without charge, to the parent a form on which to provide that statement, and the parent shall provide that statement on that form. The county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department shall use the information provided in the statement to determine whether the department may claim federal foster care and adoption assistance reimbursement under 42 USC 670 to 679a for the cost of providing care for the child.

48.30(7) (7) If the petition is contested, the court, subject to s. 48.299 (9), shall set a date for the fact-finding hearing which allows reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 20 days after the plea hearing for a child who is held in secure custody and no more than 30 days after the plea hearing for a child or an expectant mother who is not held in secure custody.

48.30(8) (8) Before accepting an admission or plea of no contest of the alleged facts in a petition, the court shall:

48.30(8)(a) (a) Address the parties present including the child or expectant mother personally and determine that the plea or admission is made voluntarily with understanding of the nature of the acts alleged in the petition and the potential dispositions.

48.30(8)(b) (b) Establish whether any promises or threats were made to elicit the plea or admission and alert unrepresented parties to the possibility that a lawyer may discover defenses or mitigating circumstances which would not be apparent to them.

48.30(8)(c) (c) Make such inquiries as satisfactorily establishes that there is a factual basis for the plea or admission of the parent and child, of the parent and child expectant mother or of the adult expectant mother.

48.30(9) (9) If a circuit court commissioner conducts the plea hearing and accepts an admission of the alleged facts in a petition brought under s. 48.13 or 48.133, the judge shall review the admission at the beginning of the dispositional hearing by addressing the parties and making the inquiries set forth in sub. (8).

48.30(10) (10) The court may permit any party to participate in hearings under this section by telephone or live audiovisual means.

48.30 History History: 1977 c. 354, 355, 447; 1979 c. 300, 331, 355, 359; 1985 a. 321, 332; 1987 a. 151; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; Sup. Ct. Order, 158 Wis. 2d xvii (1990); 1993 a. 163, 474, 481; 1995 a. 77, 225, 404, 417; 1997 a. 3, 252, 292; 1999 a. 103; 2001 a. 61; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 94; 2013 a. 170; 2015 a. 172.

48.30 Annotation The time limits under sub. (1) are mandatory. Jason B. v. State, 176 Wis. 2d 400, 500 N.W.2d 384 (Ct. App. 1993).

48.30 Annotation A court’s failure to inform a juvenile of the right to judicial substitution does not affect its competence and warrants reversal only if the juvenile suffers actual prejudice. State v. Kywanda F., 200 Wis. 2d 26, 546 N.W.2d 440 (1996), 94-1866.

48.305 48.305 Hearing upon the involuntary removal of a child or expectant mother. Notwithstanding other time periods for hearings under this chapter, if a child is removed from the physical custody of the child’s parent or guardian under s. 48.19 (1) (c) or (cm) or (d) 5. or 8. without the consent of the parent or guardian or if an adult expectant mother is taken into custody under s. 48.193 (1) (c) or (d) 2. without the consent of the expectant mother, the court, subject to s. 48.299 (9), shall schedule a plea hearing and fact-finding hearing within 30 days after a request from the parent or guardian from whom custody was removed or from the adult expectant mother who was taken into custody. The plea hearing and fact-finding hearing may be combined. This time period may be extended only with the consent of the requesting parent, guardian, or expectant mother.

48.305 History History: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300; 1997 a. 292; 2009 a. 94.

48.31 48.31 Fact-finding hearing.

48.31(1) (1) In this section, “fact-finding hearing” means a hearing to determine if the allegations in a petition under s. 48.13 or 48.133 or a petition to terminate parental rights are proved by clear and convincing evidence. In the case of a petition to terminate parental rights to an Indian child, “fact-finding hearing” means a hearing to determine if the allegations in the petition, other than the allegations under s. 48.42 (1) (e) relating to serious emotional or physical damage, are proved by clear and convincing evidence and if the allegations under s. 48.42 (1) (e) relating to serious emotional or physical damage are proved beyond a reasonable doubt as provided in s. 48.028 (4) (e) 1., unless partial summary judgment on the grounds for termination of parental rights is granted.

48.31(2) (2) The hearing shall be to the court unless the child, the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the unborn child’s guardian ad litem, or the expectant mother of the unborn child exercises the right to a jury trial by demanding a jury trial at any time before or during the plea hearing. If a jury trial is demanded in a proceeding under s. 48.13 or 48.133, the jury shall consist of 6 persons. If a jury trial is demanded in a proceeding under s. 48.42, the jury shall consist of 12 persons unless the parties agree to a lesser number. Chapters 756 and 805 shall govern the selection of jurors. If the hearing involves a child victim or witness, as defined in s. 950.02, the court may order that a deposition be taken by audiovisual means and allow the use of a recorded deposition under s. 967.04 (7) to (10) and, with the district attorney, shall comply with s. 971.105. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court or jury shall make a determination of the facts, except that in a case alleging a child or an unborn child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 or 48.133, the court shall make the determination under s. 48.13 (intro.) or 48.133 relating to whether the child or unborn child is in need of protection or services that can be ordered by the court. If the court finds that the child or unborn child is not within the jurisdiction of the court or, in a case alleging a child or an unborn child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 or 48.133, that the child or unborn child is not in need of protection or services that can be ordered by the court, or if the court or jury finds that the facts alleged in the petition have not been proved, the court shall dismiss the petition with prejudice.

48.31(4) (4) The court or jury shall make findings of fact and the court shall make conclusions of law relating to the allegations of a petition filed under s. 48.13, 48.133 or 48.42, except that the court shall make findings of fact relating to whether the child or unborn child is in need of protection or services which can be ordered by the court. In cases alleging a child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 (11), the court may not find that the child is suffering emotional damage unless a licensed physician specializing in psychiatry or a licensed psychologist appointed by the court to examine the child has testified at the hearing that in his or her opinion the condition exists, and adequate opportunity for the cross-examination of the physician or psychologist has been afforded. The judge may use the written reports if the right to have testimony presented is voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently waived by the guardian ad litem or legal counsel for the child and the parent or guardian. In cases alleging a child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 (11m) or an unborn child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.133, the court may not find that the child or the expectant mother of the unborn child is in need of treatment and education for needs and problems related to the use or abuse of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs and its medical, personal, family or social effects unless an assessment for alcohol and other drug abuse that conforms to the criteria specified under s. 48.547 (4) has been conducted by an approved treatment facility.

48.31(5) (5) If the child is an Indian child, the court or jury shall also determine at the fact-finding hearing whether continued custody of the Indian child by the Indian child’s parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 1. and whether active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 2. have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian child’s family and whether those efforts have proved unsuccessful, unless partial summary judgment on the allegations under s. 48.13 or 48.133 is granted, in which case the court shall make those determinations at the dispositional hearing.

48.31(7) (7) 

48.31(7)(a) (a) At the close of the fact-finding hearing, the court, subject to s. 48.299 (9), shall set a date for the dispositional hearing which allows a reasonable time for the parties to prepare but is no more than 10 days after the fact-finding hearing for a child in secure custody and no more than 30 days after the fact-finding hearing for a child or expectant mother who is not held in secure custody. Subject to s. 48.299 (9), if all parties consent, the court may immediately proceed with a dispositional hearing.

48.31(7)(b) (b) If it appears to the court that disposition of the case may include placement of the child outside the child’s home, the court shall order the child’s parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts, and living expenses to the court or the designated agency under s. 48.33 (1) at least 5 days before the scheduled date of the dispositional hearing or as otherwise ordered by the court. The clerk of court shall provide, without charge, to any parent ordered to provide a statement of income, assets, debts, and living expenses a document setting forth the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9) and the manner of its application established by the department under s. 49.345 (14) (g) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 49.345 (14) (c).

48.31(7)(c) (c) If the court orders the child’s parent to provide a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the court or if the court orders the child’s parent to provide that statement to the designated agency under s. 48.33 (1) and that designated agency is not the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department, the court shall also order the child’s parent to provide that statement to the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department at least 5 days before the scheduled date of the dispositional hearing or as otherwise ordered by the court. The county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department shall provide, without charge, to the parent a form on which to provide that statement, and the parent shall provide that statement on that form. The county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department shall use the information provided in the statement to determine whether the department may claim federal foster care and adoption assistance reimbursement under 42 USC 670 to 679a for the cost of providing care for the child.

48.31 History History: 1977 c. 354, 447; 1979 c. 32 s. 92 (13); 1979 c. 300, 331, 355, 357, 359; 1983 a. 197; 1985 a. 262 s. 8; 1987 a. 339; 1993 a. 481; 1995 a. 77, 275, 404, 448; 1997 a. 3, 35, 292; 1999 a. 103; 2001 a. 105; 2005 a. 42; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 94; 2013 a. 170; 2015 a. 172.

48.31 Annotation As a matter of judicial administration, the supreme court mandates procedures for withdrawal of a juvenile’s jury demand. N.E. v. DHSS, 122 Wis. 2d 198, 361 N.W.2d 693 (1985).

48.31 Annotation A fact-finding hearing under sub. (1) was not closed until the court ruled on a motion to set aside the verdict. C.M.L. v. State, 157 Wis. 2d 152, 458 N.W.2d 573 (Ct. App. 1990).

48.31 Annotation A child’s need for protection or services should be determined as of the date the petition is filed. Children can be adjudicated in need of protection or services when divorced parents have joint custody, one parent committed acts proscribed by s. 48.13 (10), and at the time of the hearing the other can provide the necessary care for the children. State v. Gregory L.S., 2002 WI App 101, 253 Wis. 2d 563, 643 N.W.2d 890, 01-2325.

48.31 Annotation Contrary to the Child’s Best Interest: Jury Trials in Children’s Court Proceedings. Sowinski & Wiensch. Wis. Law. Apr. 2013.

48.315 48.315 Delays, continuances and extensions.

48.315(1) (1) The following time periods shall be excluded in computing time periods under this chapter:

48.315(1)(a) (a) Any period of delay resulting from other legal actions concerning the child or the unborn child and the unborn child’s expectant mother, including an examination under s. 48.295 or a hearing related to the mental condition of the child, the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian or the expectant mother, prehearing motions, waiver motions and hearings on other matters.

48.315(1)(b) (b) Any period of delay resulting from a continuance granted at the request of or with the consent of the child and his or her counsel or of the unborn child’s guardian ad litem.

48.315(1)(c) (c) Any period of delay caused by the disqualification of a judge.

48.315(1)(d) (d) Any period of delay resulting from a continuance granted at the request of the representative of the public under s. 48.09 if the continuance is granted because of the unavailability of evidence material to the case when he or she has exercised due diligence to obtain the evidence and there are reasonable grounds to believe that the evidence will be available at the later date, or to allow him or her additional time to prepare the case and additional time is justified because of the exceptional circumstances of the case.

48.315(1)(e) (e) Any period of delay resulting from the imposition of a consent decree.

48.315(1)(f) (f) Any period of delay resulting from the absence or unavailability of the child or expectant mother.

48.315(1)(fm) (fm) Any period of delay resulting from the inability of the court to provide the child with notice of an extension hearing under s. 48.365 due to the child having run away or otherwise having made himself or herself unavailable to receive that notice.

48.315(1)(g) (g) A reasonable period of delay when the child is joined in a hearing with another child as to whom the time for a hearing has not expired under this section if there is good cause for not hearing the cases separately.

48.315(1)(h) (h) Any period of delay resulting from the need to appoint a qualified interpreter.

48.315(1)(j) (j) A reasonable period of delay, not to exceed 20 days, in a proceeding involving the out-of-home care placement of or termination of parental rights to a child whom the court knows or has reason to know is an Indian child, resulting from a continuance granted at the request of the child’s parent, Indian custodian, or tribe to enable the requester to prepare for the proceeding.

48.315(1m) (1m) Subsection (1) (a), (d), (e), (fm), (g), and (j) does not apply to proceedings under s. 48.375 (7).

48.315(2) (2) A continuance shall be granted by the court only upon a showing of good cause in open court or during a telephone conference under s. 807.13 on the record and only for so long as is necessary, taking into account the request or consent of the district attorney or the parties and the interest of the public in the prompt disposition of cases.

48.315(2m) (2m) No continuance or extension of a time period specified in this chapter may be granted and no period of delay specified in sub. (1) may be excluded in computing a time period under this chapter if the continuance, extension, or exclusion would result in any of the following:

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

48.315(2m)(b) (b) The court making an initial finding under s. 48.38 (5m) that the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency goal of the child’s permanency plan more than 12 months after the date on which the child was removed from the home or making any subsequent findings under s. 48.38 (5m) as to those reasonable efforts more than 12 months after the date of a previous finding as to those reasonable efforts.

48.315(2m)(c) (c) The court making a finding under s. 48.366 (3) (am) 3. that a person’s placement in out-of-home care under a transition-to-independent-living agreement is in the best interests of the person more than 180 days after the date on which the agreement is entered into.

48.315(3) (3) Failure by the court or a party to act within any time period specified in this chapter does not deprive the court of personal or subject matter jurisdiction or of competency to exercise that jurisdiction. Failure to object to a period of delay or a continuance waives any challenge to the court’s competency to act during the period of delay or continuance. If the court or a party does not act within a time period specified in this chapter, the court, while assuring the safety of the child, may grant a continuance under sub. (2), dismiss the proceeding without prejudice, release the child from secure or nonsecure custody or from the terms of a custody order, or grant any other relief that the court considers appropriate.

48.315 History History: 1977 c. 354; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1987 a. 403; 1991 a. 263; 1993 a. 98; 1997 a. 292; 2001 a. 16, 109; 2007 a. 20, 199; 2009 a. 94; 2011 a. 181; 2013 a. 170; 2015 a. 55, 373.

48.315 Annotation A trial court’s sua sponte adjournment of a fact-finding hearing beyond the 30-day limit due to a congested calendar constituted good cause under sub. (2) when the adjournment order was entered within the 30-day period. J.R. v. State, 152 Wis. 2d 598, 449 N.W.2d 52 (Ct. App. 1989).

48.315 Annotation The period under sub. (1) (c) includes the time required to assign a new judge, send any required notices, notify the parties, and arrange for time on the court’s calendar; applicable time limits for plea hearings apply after the assignment of the new judge. State v. Joshua M.W., 179 Wis. 2d 335, 507 N.W.2d 141 (Ct. App. 1993).

48.315 Annotation Under sub. (2), “on the record” does not require reporting by a court reporter. A clerk’s minutes satisfy the requirement. Waukesha County v. Darlene R., 201 Wis. 2d 633, 549 N.W.2d 489 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-1697.

48.315 Annotation The benefits of a pretrial are universally recognized by bench and bar such that a court need not specify the factors supporting “good cause” for a continuance of the time limits under sub. (2). Waukesha County v. Darlene R., 201 Wis. 2d 633, 549 N.W.2d 489 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-1697.

48.315 Annotation Under sub. (1) (a), the time limits are tolled for an examination of a parent under s. 48.295. Waukesha County v. Darlene R., 201 Wis. 2d 633, 549 N.W.2d 489 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-1697.

48.315 Annotation The word “continuance” in sub. (2) is sufficiently broad to encompass situations in which the fact-finding hearing is originally scheduled beyond the statutory 45-day time period. A circuit court’s schedule or lawyers’ or litigants’ difficulties in scheduling court dates may amount to good cause for extension, delay, or continuance under sub. (2). State v. Robert K., 2005 WI 152, 286 Wis. 2d 143, 706 N.W.2d 257, 04-2330.

48.315 Annotation Reassignment of a case to a different judge because of docket congestion does not constitute disqualification of a judge under sub. (1) (c). Brown County v. Shannon R., 2005 WI 160, 286 Wis. 2d 278, 706 N.W.2d 269, 04-1305.

48.317 48.317 Jeopardy. Jeopardy attaches:

48.317(1) (1) In a trial to the court, when a witness is sworn.

48.317(2) (2) In a jury trial, when the jury selection is completed and the jury sworn.

48.317 History History: 1977 c. 354.

48.32 48.32 Consent decree.

48.32(1) (1) 

48.32(1)(a) (a) At any time after the filing of a petition for a proceeding relating to s. 48.13 or 48.133 and before the entry of judgment, the judge or a circuit court commissioner may suspend the proceedings and place the child or expectant mother under supervision in the home or present placement of the child or expectant mother. The court may establish terms and conditions applicable to the child and the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian, to the child expectant mother and her parent, guardian or legal custodian, or to the adult expectant mother, including the condition specified in sub. (1b). The order under this section shall be known as a consent decree and must be agreed to by the child if 12 years of age or older, the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and the person filing the petition under s. 48.25; by the child expectant mother, her parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the unborn child’s guardian ad litem, and the person filing the petition under s. 48.25; or by the adult expectant mother, the unborn child’s guardian ad litem, and the person filing the petition under s. 48.25. The consent decree shall be reduced to writing and given to the parties.

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

48.32(1)(ar) (ar) If the consent decree places a child in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the qualified individual shall conduct a standardized assessment and the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who completed the assessment, including all of the following, to the court and to all persons who are parties to the consent decree, no later than the time the consent decree is entered or, if not available by that time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement is made:

48.32(1)(ar)1. 1. Whether the proposed placement will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment.

48.32(1)(ar)2. 2. How the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.

48.32(1)(ar)3. 3. The reasons why the child’s needs can or cannot be met by the child’s family or in a foster home. A shortage or lack of foster homes is not an acceptable reason for determining that the child’s needs cannot be met in a foster home.

48.32(1)(ar)4. 4. The placement preference of the family permanency team under s. 48.38 (3m) and, if that preference is not the placement recommended by the qualified individual, why that recommended placement is not preferred.

48.32(1)(b) (b)

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

48.32(1)(b)1.a. a. A finding that placement of the child in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the child.

48.32(1)(b)1.b. b. A finding as to whether the county department, the department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the child from the home, while assuring that the child’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, unless the judge or circuit court commissioner finds that any of the circumstances specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies.

48.32(1)(b)1.c. c. If a permanency plan has previously been prepared for the child, a finding as to whether the county department, department, or agency has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency goal of the child’s permanency plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement.

48.32(1)(b)1.d. d. If the child’s placement or other living arrangement is under the supervision of the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department, an order ordering the child into the placement and care responsibility of the county department or department as required under 42 USC 672 (a) (2) and assigning the county department or department primary responsibility for providing services to the child.

48.32(1)(b)1m. 1m. If the child has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have also been removed from the home, the consent decree shall include a finding as to whether the county department, department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to place the child in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the judge or circuit court commissioner determines that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings, in which case the judge or circuit court commissioner shall order the county department, department, or agency to make reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the child and the siblings, unless the judge or circuit court commissioner determines that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings.

48.32(1)(b)1r. 1r. Except as provided in par. (cd), if the child is placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, a finding as to each of the following, the answers to which do not affect whether the placement may be made, after considering the standardized assessment and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment under par. (ar):