2. The county department, Indian tribe, or department determines that the person has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child.
3. The county department, Indian tribe, or department inspects the home of the person, interviews the person, and determines that placement of the child with the person 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).
4. Prior to being appointed as successor guardian to assume the duty and authority of guardianship, the person enters into a subsidized guardianship agreement under sub. (2) with the county department, Indian tribe, or department.
5. Prior to the person entering into the subsidized guardianship agreement, the county department, Indian tribe, or department conducts a background investigation under s. 48.685 of the person and any nonclient resident, as defined in s. 48.685 (1) (bm), of the home of the person and determines that those individuals meet the requirements specified in s. 48.685. The county department, Indian tribe, 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 a person receiving those payments for a reason specified in s. 48.685 (4m) (a) 1. to 5. or (b) 1. to 5.
19,277Section 277. 48.623 (7) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: 48.623 (7) (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, an Indian tribe, 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.
19,278Section 278. 48.623 (8) of the statutes is created to read: 48.623 (8) Tribal agreements. (a) The department may enter into an agreement with the governing body of an Indian tribe to allow that governing body to administer subsidized guardianships ordered by a tribal court under a tribal law substantially similar to s. 48.977 (2) and to be reimbursed by the department for eligible tribal subsidized guardianship payments. An agreement under this paragraph shall require the governing body of an Indian tribe to comply with all requirements for administering subsidized guardianship that apply to counties and the department, including eligibility.
(b) A county department may provide the monthly payments under sub. (1) or (6) for guardianships of children ordered by the tribal court if the county department has entered into an agreement with the governing body of an Indian tribe to provide those payments.
19,279Section 279. 48.685 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: 48.685 (5) (a) Subject to par. (bm), the department may license to operate an entity, a county department or a child welfare agency may license to operate a foster home under s. 48.62, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, an Indian tribe, or a county department may provide subsidized guardianship payments under s. 48.623 (6) to a person who otherwise may not be so licensed or provided those payments for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (a) 1. to 5., and an entity may employ, contract with, or permit to reside at the entity or permit to reside with a caregiver specified in sub. (1) (ag) 1. am. of the entity a person who otherwise may not be so employed, provided payments, or permitted to reside at the entity or with that caregiver for a reason specified in sub. (4m) (b) 1. to 5., if the person demonstrates to the department, county department, or child welfare agency or, in the case of an entity that is located within the boundaries of a reservation, to the person or body designated by the Indian tribe under sub. (5d) (a) 3., by clear and convincing evidence and in accordance with procedures established by the department by rule or by the tribe that he or she has been rehabilitated.
19,280Section 280. 48.977 (3r) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: 48.977 (3r) (a) Guardian. Subsidized guardianship payments under s. 48.623 (1) may not be made to a guardian of a child unless a subsidized guardianship agreement under s. 48.623 (2) is entered into before the guardianship order is granted and the court either terminates any order specified in sub. (2) (a) or dismisses any proceeding in which the child has been adjudicated in need of protection or services as specified in sub. (2) (a). If a child’s permanency plan calls for placement of the child in the home of a guardian and the provision of monthly subsidized guardianship payments to the guardian, the petitioner under sub. (4) (a) shall include in the petition under sub. (4) (b) a statement of the determinations made under s. 48.623 (1) and a request for the court to include in the court’s findings under sub. (4) (d) a finding confirming those determinations. If the court confirms those determinations, appoints a guardian for the child under sub. (2), and either terminates any order specified in sub. (2) (a) or dismisses any proceeding in which the child is adjudicated to be in need of protection or services as specified in sub. (2) (a), the county department or, as provided in s. 48.623 (3) (a), an Indian tribe or the department shall provide monthly subsidized guardianship payments to the guardian under s. 48.623 (1).
19,281Section 281. 48.977 (3r) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: 48.977 (3r) (b) Successor guardian. Subsidized guardianship payments under s. 48.623 (6) (bm) may not be made to a successor guardian of a child unless the court makes a finding confirming that the successor guardian is named as a prospective successor guardian of the child in a subsidized guardianship agreement or amended subsidized guardianship agreement under s. 48.623 (2) that was entered into before the death or incapacity of the guardian and that the conditions specified in s. 48.623 (6) (bm) have been met, appoints the successor guardian to assume the duty and authority of guardianship as provided in sub. (5m), and either terminates any order specified in sub. (2) (a) or dismisses any proceeding in which the child has been adjudicated in need of protection or services as specified in sub. (2) (a). If the court makes that finding and appointment and either terminates such an order or dismisses such a proceeding, the county department or, as provided in s. 48.623 (3) (a), an Indian tribe or the department shall provide monthly subsidized guardianship payments to the successor guardian under s. 48.623 (6) (bm).
Section 282c. 49.155 (1g) (ac) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.155 (1g) (ac) A child care scholarship and bonus program, in the amount of at least $3,975,000 per fiscal year. In fiscal year 2024-25, an additional five million dollars for a child care bonus program.
19,283Section 283. 49.155 (1g) (bc) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.155 (1g) (bc) Grants under s. 49.134 (2) in the amount of at least $2,598,600 per fiscal year for child care resource and referral services, in the amount of at least $1,298,600 per fiscal year.
19,284Section 284. 49.155 (1g) (h) of the statutes is created to read: 49.155 (1g) (h) In fiscal year 2024-25, a grant to support development and expansion of the Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network, in the amount of at least $2,500,000.
19,285Section 285. 49.155 (1g) (i) of the statutes is created to read: 49.155 (1g) (i) Increases to the maximum payment rates paid to child care providers on the basis of a provider’s quality rating under sub. (6) (e) 3. d. and e.
19,286Section 286. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.155 (1m) (c) 1. (intro.) Except as provided in subds. 1d., 1g., 1h., 1m., 2., and 3., the gross income of the individual’s family is at or below 185 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the individual’s family or, for an individual who is already receiving a child care subsidy under this section, the gross income of the individual’s family is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the individual’s family. In calculating the gross income of the family, the department or county department or agency determining eligibility shall include court-ordered child or family support payments received by the individual, if those support payments exceed $1,250 per month, and income described under s. 49.145 (3) (b) 1. and 3., except that, in calculating farm and self-employment income, the department or county department or agency determining eligibility shall include the sum of the following:
19,287Section 287. 49.155 (1m) (c) 1d. a. of the statutes is amended to read: 49.155 (1m) (c) 1d. a. Notwithstanding sub. (5) (b), if the individual is already receiving a child care subsidy under this section and the gross income of the individual’s family exceeds 200 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the individual’s family, the individual’s copayment amount under sub. (5) increases by $1 for every $3 by which the individual’s family’s gross income exceeds 200 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the individual’s family. Beginning in fiscal year 2024-25, to the extent that the individual’s family’s gross income exceeds 200 percent of the poverty line for a family the size of the individual’s family, the individual’s copayment amount under sub. (5) increases by $1 for every $5.
19,288Section 288. 49.175 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (a) Wisconsin Works benefits. For Wisconsin Works benefits, $37,000,000 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $34,000,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such benefits, $28,000,000. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such benefits, $29,000,000.
19,289Section 289. 49.175 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (b) Wisconsin Works agency contracts; job access loans. For contracts with Wisconsin Works agencies under s. 49.143 and for job access loans under s. 49.147 (6), $54,009,700 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $57,071,200 in fiscal year 2022-23 each fiscal year thereafter.
19,290Section 290. 49.175 (1) (g) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (g) State administration of public assistance programs and overpayment collections. For state administration of public assistance programs and the collection of public assistance overpayments, $17,231,100 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $17,482,300 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such purposes, $19,015,300. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such purposes, $19,424,300.
19,291Section 291. 49.175 (1) (Lm) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (Lm) Jobs for America’s Graduates. For grants to the Jobs for America’s Graduates-Wisconsin to fund programs that improve social, academic, and employment skills of youth who are eligible to receive temporary assistance for needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq., $500,000 in each fiscal year, $1,000,000.
19,292Section 292. 49.175 (1) (Lp) of the statutes is created to read: 49.175 (1) (Lp) Skills enhancement program. For skills enhancement grants, $500,000 in each fiscal year.
19,293Section 293. 49.175 (1) (p) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (p) Direct child care services. For direct child care services under s. 49.155 or 49.257, $376,700,400 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $383,900,400 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such direct child care services, $368,834,800. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such direct child care services, $428,779,700.
19,294Section 294. 49.175 (1) (q) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (q) Child care state administration and licensing activities. For state administration of child care programs under s. 49.155 and for child care licensing activities, $42,117,800 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $41,803,100 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such programs and activities, $45,796,000. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such programs and activities, $45,570,300.
19,295Section 295. 49.175 (1) (qm) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (qm) Quality care for quality kids. For the child care quality improvement activities specified in ss. 49.155 (1g) and 49.257, $16,683,700 in each fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such activities, $28,518,700. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such activities, $46,018,700.
19,296Section 296. 49.175 (1) (r) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (r) Children of recipients of supplemental security income. For payments made under s. 49.775 for the support of the dependent children of recipients of supplemental security income, $18,564,700 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $18,145,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such payments, $9,699,900. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such payments, $10,990,400.
19,297Section 297. 49.175 (1) (s) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (s) Kinship care and long-term kinship care assistance. For kinship care and long-term kinship care payments under s. 48.57 (3m) (am) and (3n) (am), for assessments to determine eligibility for those payments, and for agreements under s. 48.57 (3t) with the governing bodies of Indian tribes for the administration of the kinship care and long-term kinship care programs within the boundaries of the reservations of those tribes, $28,727,100 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $31,441,800 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such payments, $31,719,200. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such payments, $35,661,000.
19,298Section 298. 49.175 (1) (y) of the statutes is repealed. 19,301Section 301. 49.175 (1) (zh) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.175 (1) (zh) Earned income tax credit supplement. For the transfer of moneys from the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (2) (md) to the appropriation account under s. 20.835 (2) (kf) for the earned income tax credit, $63,600,000 in fiscal year 2021-22 and $66,600,000 in fiscal year 2022-23. In fiscal year 2023-24, for such purposes, $61,725,000. In fiscal year 2024-25, for such purposes, $65,002,000.
19,302Section 302. 49.45 (3m) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.45 (3m) (a) (intro.) Subject to par. (d) and notwithstanding sub. (3) (e), from the appropriations under s. 20.435 (4) (b) and (o), in each fiscal year, the department shall pay to hospitals that serve a disproportionate share of low-income patients an amount equal to the sum of $71,600,000, as the state share of payments, $47,500,000 and the matching federal share of payments. The department may make a payment to a hospital under this subsection under the calculation method described in par. (b) if the hospital meets all of the following criteria:
19,303Section 303. 49.45 (3p) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.45 (3p) (a) Subject to par. (c) and notwithstanding sub. (3) (e), from the appropriations under s. 20.435 (4) (b) and (o), in each fiscal year, the department shall pay an amount equal to the sum of $4,500,000, as the state share of payments, and the matching federal share of payments, to hospitals that are not eligible for payments under sub. (3m) but that meet the criteria under sub. (3m) (a) 1. and 2. and that, in the most recent year for which information is available, charged at least 6 percent of overall charges for services to the Medical Assistance program for services provided to Medical Assistance recipients an amount equal to the sum of $2,250,000, as the state share of payments, and the matching federal share of payments. The department may make a payment to a hospital under this subsection under a calculation method determined by the department that provides a fee-for-service supplemental payment that increases as the percentage of the total amount of the hospital’s overall charges for services that are charges to the Medical Assistance program increases.
19,304Section 304. 49.45 (6m) (br) 1. of the statutes is amended to read: 49.45 (6m) (br) 1. Notwithstanding s. 20.435 (7) (b) or 20.437 (1) (cj) or (q) or (2) (dz), the department shall reduce allocations of funds to counties in the amount of the disallowance from the appropriation account under s. 20.435 (7) (b), or the department shall direct the department of children and families to reduce allocations of funds to counties or Wisconsin Works agencies in the amount of the disallowance from the appropriation account under s. 20.437 (1) (cj) or (2) (dz), in accordance with s. 16.544 to the extent applicable.
19,305Section 305. 49.45 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.45 (7) (a) A Before July 1, 2024, a recipient who is a patient in a public medical institution or an accommodated person and has a monthly income exceeding the payment rates established under 42 USC 1382 (e) may retain $45 unearned income or the amount of any pension paid under 38 USC 5503 (d), whichever is greater, per month for personal needs. Beginning on July 1, 2024, the maximum amount of unearned income a recipient may retain per month under this paragraph is $55. Except as provided in s. 49.455 (4) (a), the recipient shall apply income in excess of $45 or the amount of any pension paid under 38 USC 5503 (d) or $55, whichever is greater, less any amount deducted under rules promulgated by the department, toward the cost of care in the facility.
19,306Section 306. 49.45 (29r) of the statutes is repealed. 19,307Section 307. 49.45 (29u) of the statutes is repealed. Section 308. 49.46 (2) (f) of the statutes is renumbered 49.46 (2) (f) (intro.) and amended to read: 49.46 (2) (f) (intro.) Benefits under this subsection may not include payment for gastric any of the following: 1. Gastric bypass surgery or gastric stapling surgery unless it is performed because of a medical emergency.
19,309Section 309. 49.46 (2) (f) 2. of the statutes is created to read: 49.46 (2) (f) 2. To the extent permitted by federal law, either of the following:
a. Puberty-blocking drugs used for the purposes of gender dysphoria or gender transition.
b. Gender reassignment surgery.
19,310Section 310. 49.471 (6) (j) 4. of the statutes is amended to read: 49.471 (6) (j) 4. Section 49.46 (2) (f) 1., relating to prohibiting payment for gastric bypass or stapling surgery.
19,311Section 311. 49.471 (6) (j) 5. of the statutes is created to read: 49.471 (6) (j) 5. Section 49.46 (2) (f) 2., relating to prohibiting payment for either of the following:
a. Puberty-blocking drugs used for the purposes of gender dysphoria or gender transition.
b. Gender reassignment surgery.
19,312Section 312. 49.775 (4) of the statutes is amended to read: 49.775 (4) Payment amount. The payment under sub. (2) is $250 per month and $25 per month for one dependent child and $150 per month and $15 per month for each additional dependent child.
19,313Section 313. 51.445 of the statutes is repealed. 19,314Section 314. 60.33 (10p) of the statutes is created to read: 60.33 (10p) Claims in towns containing state institutions. Make a certified claim against the state, without direction from the board, in all cases in which the reimbursement is directed in s. 16.51 (7), upon forms prescribed by the department of administration. The forms shall contain information required by the clerk and shall be filed annually with the department of corrections on or before June 1.
Section 315. 60.48 of the statutes is created to read: 60.48 Tax levy rate limitation. The town of Sanborn cannot impose a property tax levy at a rate that is greater than 5 mills.
19,316Section 316. 61.25 (11) of the statutes is created to read: 61.25 (11) To make a certified claim against the state, without direction from the board, in all cases in which the reimbursement is directed in s. 16.51 (7), upon forms prescribed by the department of administration. The forms shall contain information required by the clerk and shall be filed annually with the department of corrections on or before June 1.
19,317Section 317. 62.03 (1) of the statutes is amended to read: 62.03 (1) This subchapter, except ss. 62.071, 62.08 (1), 62.09 (1) (e) and (11) (j) and, (k), and (m), 62.175, 62.23 (7) (em) and (he), and 62.237, does not apply to 1st class cities under special charter.
19,318Section 318. 62.09 (11) (m) of the statutes is created to read: 62.09 (11) (m) The clerk shall make a certified claim against the state, without direction from the council, in all cases in which the reimbursement is directed in s. 16.51 (7), upon forms prescribed by the department of administration. The forms shall contain information required by the clerk and shall be filed annually with the department of corrections on or before June 1.
19,319Section 319. 66.0602 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read: 66.0602 (2) (b) For purposes of par. (a), in 2018, and in each year thereafter, the base amount to which the limit under this section applies is the actual levy for the immediately preceding year, plus the amount of the payment payments under s. ss. 79.096 and 79.0965, and the levy limit is the base amount multiplied by the valuation factor, minus the amount of the payment payments under s. ss. 79.096 and 79.0965, except that the adjustments for payments received under s. 79.096 or 79.0965 do not apply to payments received under s. 79.096 (3) or 79.0965 (3) for a tax incremental district that has been terminated.
Section 320. 66.0602 (3) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
