a. Whether ongoing assessment of the strengths and needs of the child continues to support the determination that the needs of the child cannot be met through placement in a foster home, whether the placement in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment, and how the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the child's permanency plan.
b. The specific treatment or service needs that will be met for the child in the placement and the length of the time the child is expected to need the treatment or services.
c. The efforts made by the agency to prepare the child to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing relative, a guardian, or an adoptive parent or in a foster home.
42,40
Section
40. 48.38 (5) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.38 (5) (c) 1. The continuing necessity for and the safety and appropriateness of the placement, subject to par. (bm) 4. and sub. (5m) (c) 4. If the permanency goal of the child's permanency plan is placement of the child in a planned permanent living arrangement described in sub. (4) (fg) 5., the determination under this subdivision shall include an explanation of why the planned permanent living arrangement is the best permanency goal for the child and why, supported by compelling reasons, it continues not to be in the best interests of the child to be returned to his or her home or to be placed for adoption, with a guardian, or with a fit and willing relative.
42,41
Section
41. 48.38 (5) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.38 (5) (d) Notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall, at least 5 days before a review by a review panel, provide to each person appointed to the review panel, the child's parent, guardian, and legal custodian, the person representing the interests of the public, the child's counsel, the child's guardian ad litem, the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe a copy of the permanency plan, any information submitted under par. (bm) 4., and any written comments submitted under par. (bm) 1. Notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), a person appointed to a review panel, the person representing the interests of the public, the child's counsel, the child's guardian ad litem, the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe may have access to any other records concerning the child for the purpose of participating in the review. A person permitted access to a child's records under this paragraph may not disclose any information from the records to any other person.
42,42
Section
42. 48.38 (5m) (c) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
48.38 (5m) (c) 4. If the child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program, the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall present to the court specific information showing all of the following, which the court shall consider when determining the continuing necessity for and the safety and appropriateness of the placement under sub. (5) (c) 1.:
a. Whether ongoing assessment of the strengths and needs of the child continues to support the determination that the needs of the child cannot be met through placement in a foster home, whether the placement in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment, and how the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the child's permanency plan.
b. The specific treatment or service needs that will be met for the child in the placement and the length of the time the child is expected to need the treatment or services.
c. The efforts made by the agency to prepare the child to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing relative, a guardian, or an adoptive parent or in a foster home.
42,43
Section
43. 48.38 (5m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.38 (5m) (d) At least 5 days before the date of the hearing the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall provide a copy of the permanency plan, any information submitted under par. (bm) 4., and any written comments submitted under par. (c) 1. to the court, to the child's parent, guardian, and legal custodian, to the person representing the interests of the public, to the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, to the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, to the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe. Notwithstanding s. 48.78 (2) (a), the person representing the interests of the public, the child's counsel or guardian ad litem, the child's court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who is placed outside of the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child's Indian custodian and tribe may have access to any other records concerning the child for the purpose of participating in the review. A person permitted access to a child's records under this paragraph may not disclose any information from the records to any other person.
42,44
Section
44. 48.437 (1) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
48.437 (1) (a) 2. The notice shall contain the name and address of the new placement, the reasons for the change in placement, whether the new placement is certified under s. 48.675, a statement describing why the new placement is preferable to the present placement, a statement of how the new placement satisfies the objectives of the treatment plan or permanency plan ordered by the court, and, if the child is an Indian child who has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, a statement as to whether the new placement is in compliance with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c) and, if the new placement is not in compliance with that order, specific information showing good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order. The person sending the notice shall file the notice with the court on the same day the notice is sent.
42,45
Section
45. 48.437 (1) (a) 3. and 4. of the statutes are created to read:
48.437 (1) (a) 3. If the proposed change in placement would place the 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 appointed as the guardian of the child shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including all of the following, to the court and all persons who are required to receive the notice under subd. 1. no later than time of filing of that notice, or, if not available by that time, and except as provided under subd. 4., no later than 10 days after the notice is filed:
a. Whether the proposed placement will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment.
b. How the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.
c. 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.
d. 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.
4. If, for good cause shown, the information required to be submitted under subd. 3. is not available by the deadline under that subdivision, the agency appointed as the guardian of the child shall submit it no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement is made.
42,46
Section
46. 48.437 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
48.437 (1) (c) Contents of order. The change-in-placement order shall contain the applicable order under sub. (2v) (a), the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (b), and the finding applicable findings under sub. (2v) (c) and (d). If the court changes the placement of an Indian child who has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the change-in-placement order shall, in addition, comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.
42,47
Section
47. 48.437 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 48.437 (2) (a).
42,48
Section
48. 48.437 (2) (b) and (c) of the statutes are created to read:
48.437 (2) (b) 1. If the emergency change in placement under par. (a) results in a child being placed 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 appointed as the guardian of the child shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information specified under sub. (1) (a) 3. with the notice under par. (a) or, if not available at that time, and except as provided under subd. 2., no later than 10 days after the filing of that notice.
2. If, for good cause shown, the information required to be submitted under subd. 1. is not available by the deadline under that subdivision, the agency appointed as the guardian of the child shall submit it no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.
(c) If the emergency change in placement under par. (a) results in a child being placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the court shall, no later than 60 days after the placement is made, issue an order making the findings under sub. (2v) (d) 1., 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.
42,49
Section
49. 48.437 (2v) (d) of the statutes is created to read:
48.437 (2v) (d) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., if the court changes the placement to a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the change-in-placement order shall contain 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:
a. Whether the needs of the child can be met through placement in a foster home.
b. Whether placement of the child in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675 provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment.
c. Whether the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.
d. Whether the court approves or disapproves the placement.
2. If the results of the standardized assessment and recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment are not available at the time of the order, the court shall defer making the findings under that subd. 1. as provided in this paragraph. No later than 60 days after the date on which the placement was made, the court shall issue an order making the findings under subd. 1.
42,50
Section
50. 48.48 (20) of the statutes is created to read:
48.48 (20) To certify a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility to operate a qualified residential treatment program as provided under s. 48.675 and monitor compliance with certification requirements.
42,51
Section 51
. 48.675 of the statutes is created to read:
48.675 Qualified residential treatment programs. (1) The department may certify a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility to operate a qualified residential treatment program if it determines that the program meets the requirements of 42 USC 672 (k) (4) and any other requirements established by the department under this section. A residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under this section shall comply with all other requirements applicable to the residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility.
(2) The department may promulgate rules for the establishment, certification, operation, and monitoring of, and the placement of a child in, a qualified residential treatment program under sub. (1).
42,52
Section
52. 48.715 (8) of the statutes is created to read:
48.715 (8) The department may deny, suspend, restrict, refuse to renew, or otherwise withhold a certification under s. 48.675 based on a failure to comply with certification requirements established by administrative rule under that section.
42,53
Section
53. 48.73 of the statutes is amended to read:
48.73 Inspection of licensees and school district child care programs. The department may visit and inspect each child welfare agency, foster home, group home, and child care center licensed by the department and each entity certified by the department under s. 48.675, and for that purpose shall be given unrestricted access to the premises described in the license or certification. The department may visit and inspect each child care program established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14) that receives payment under s. 49.155 for the child care provided, and for that purpose shall be given unrestricted access to the premises used for the child care program.
42,54
Section
54. 938.02 (14m) of the statutes is created to read:
938.02 (14m) “Qualified individual” has the meaning given under 42 USC 675a (c) (1) (D).
42,55
Section
55. 938.02 (17t) of the statutes is created to read:
938.02 (17t) “Standardized assessment” means an assessment, using a tool determined by the department, of the strengths and needs of a juvenile to determine appropriateness of a placement in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675.
42,56
Section
56. 938.21 (1) (c) of the statutes is created to read:
938.21 (1) (c) If the juvenile is held in custody 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 under the custody order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including all of the following, to the court and all persons who are required to receive a copy of the petition or request under par. (b) no later than the hearing or, if not available by that time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement is made:
1. Whether the proposed placement will provide the juvenile with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment.
2. How the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the juvenile, as specified in the permanency plan.
3. The reasons why the juvenile's needs can or cannot be met by the juvenile's family or in a foster home. A shortage or lack of foster homes is not an acceptable reason for determining that the juvenile's needs cannot be met in a foster home.
4. The placement preference of the family permanency team under s. 938.38 (3m) and, if that preference is not the placement recommended by the qualified individual, why that recommended placement is not preferred.
42,57
Section
57. 938.21 (5) (b) 2g. of the statutes is created to read:
938.21 (5) (b) 2g. Except as provided in par. (cm), if the juvenile is held in custody 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 submitted by the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment under sub. (1) (c):
a. Whether the needs of the juvenile can be met through placement in a foster home.
b. Whether placement of the juvenile in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675 provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the juvenile in the least restrictive environment.
c. Whether the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the juvenile, as identified in the permanency planning.
d. Whether the court approves or disapproves the placement.
42,58
Section
58. 938.21 (5) (cm) of the statutes is created to read:
938.21 (5) (cm) If the results of the standardized assessment and recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment are required under sub. (1) (c) but not available at the time of the order, the court shall defer making the findings under par. (b) 2g. as provided in this paragraph. No later than 60 days after the date on which the placement is made, the court shall issue an order making the findings under par. (b) 2g.
42,59
Section
59. 938.217 (1) (b) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
938.217 (1) (b) 2. The notice shall contain the name and address of the new placement, the reasons for the change in placement, whether the new placement is certified under s. 48.675, and a statement describing why the new placement is preferable to the present placement. The person sending the notice shall file the notice with the court on the same day that the notice is sent.
42,60
Section
60. 938.217 (1) (b) 3. and 4. of the statutes are created to read:
938.217 (1) (b) 3. If the proposed change in placement would place the juvenile 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 intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including all of the following, to the court and all persons who are required to receive the notice under subd. 1. no later than the filing of that notice or, if not available by that time, and except as provided under subd. 4., no later than 10 days after the notice is filed:
a. Whether the proposed placement will provide the juvenile with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment.
b. How the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the juvenile, as specified in the permanency plan.
c. The reasons why the juvenile's needs can or cannot be met by the juvenile's family or in a foster home. A shortage or lack of foster homes is not an acceptable reason for determining that the juvenile's needs cannot be met in a foster home.
d. The placement preference of the family permanency team under s. 938.38 (3m) and, if that preference is not the placement recommended by the qualified individual, why that recommended placement is not preferred.
4. If, for good cause shown, the information required to be submitted under subd. 3. is not available by the deadline under that subdivision, the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement is made.
42,61
Section
61. 938.217 (2) of the statutes is renumbered 938.217 (2) (a).
42,62
Section
62. 938.217 (2) (b) and (c) of the statutes are created to read:
938.217 (2) (b) 1. If the emergency change in placement under par. (a) results in a juvenile being placed 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 intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information specified under sub. (1) (b) 3. with the notice under par. (a) or, if not available at that time, and except as provided under subd. 2., no later than 10 days after the filing of that notice.
2. If, for good cause shown, the information required to be submitted under subd. 1. is not available by the deadline under that subdivision, the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.
(c) If the emergency change in placement under par. (a) results in a juvenile being placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the court shall, no later than 60 days after the placement is made, issue an order making all of the findings required under sub. (2v) (d) 1., 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.
42,63
Section
63. 938.217 (2m) (b) 3. of the statutes is created to read:
938.217 (2m) (b) 3. If the change in placement results in a juvenile being placed 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 under the temporary physical custody order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information under sub. (1) (b) 3., to the court and to all persons who are required to receive the notice under subd. 2., no later than the hearing or, if not available by that time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement is made.
42,64
Section
64. 938.217 (2v) (d) 1. and 2. of the statutes are created to read:
938.217 (2v) (d) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., if the court changes the placement to a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the change-in-placement order shall contain 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:
a. Whether the needs of the juvenile can be met through placement in a foster home.
b. Whether placement of the juvenile in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675 provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the juvenile in the least restrictive environment.
c. Whether the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the juvenile, as specified in the permanency plan.
d. Whether the court approves or disapproves the placement.
2. If the results of the standardized assessment and recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment are not available at the time of the order, the court shall defer making the findings under subd. 1. as provided in this subdivision. No later than 60 days after the date on which the placement was made, the court shall issue an order making the findings under subd. 1.
42,65
Section
65.
938.32 (1) (br) of the statutes is created to read:
938.32 (1) (br) If the consent decree places a juvenile 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 juvenile 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:
