AB557: Bill Text

AB557,,1 2023 ASSEMBLY BILL 557

October 26, 2023 - Introduced by Representatives Snyder, Armstrong, Baldeh, Behnke, Billings, Callahan, Conley, Considine, Dittrich, Donovan, Doyle, Goeben, Gustafson, Hong, Joers, Kitchens, Mursau, Novak, O’Connor, Ohnstad, Palmeri, Ratcliff, Rettinger, Rozar, Sapik, Snodgrass, Stubbs, Subeck, Plumer, Sinicki, Clancy and Jacobson, cosponsored by Senators Ballweg, James, Carpenter, Hesselbein, L. Johnson, Larson, Roys, Smith, Spreitzer and Tomczyk. Referred to Committee on Children and Families.

AB557,,2 An Act to amend 48.02 (15), 48.028 (2) (e), 48.028 (2) (f), 48.207 (1) (b), 48.207 (1) (f), 48.33 (4) (intro.), 48.335 (3g) (intro.), 48.335 (3j) (intro.), 48.345 (3) (a) (intro.), 48.345 (3) (a) 1., 48.345 (3) (a) 2., 48.345 (4) (a), 48.355 (4) (b) (intro.), 48.366 (1) (a), 48.371 (1) (intro.), 48.371 (1) (a), 48.371 (3) (intro.), 48.371 (3) (d), 48.371 (5), 48.38 (2) (intro.), 48.38 (3m) (a), 48.38 (4) (f) (intro.), 48.38 (4m) (b), 48.38 (4m) (d), 48.38 (5) (b), 48.38 (5) (bm) 1., 48.38 (5) (e), 48.38 (5m) (b), 48.38 (5m) (c) 1., 48.38 (5m) (e), 48.385 (intro.), 48.40 (1m), 48.427 (3m) (a) 5., 48.43 (5) (b) 1., 48.43 (5) (b) 3., 48.43 (5m), 48.57 (3m) (a) 1. b., 48.57 (3m) (a) 2., 48.57 (3m) (am) (intro.), 48.57 (3m) (am) 1., 48.57 (3m) (am) 1m., 48.57 (3m) (am) 4., 48.57 (3m) (am) 4m., 48.57 (3m) (am) 5., 48.57 (3m) (am) 5m., 48.57 (3m) (am) 6., 48.57 (3m) (ap) 1., 48.57 (3m) (ap) 2., 48.57 (3m) (ap) 3., 48.57 (3m) (b) 2., 48.57 (3m) (cm), 48.57 (3m) (h), 48.57 (3m) (i) 1., 48.57 (3n) (a) 1. b., 48.57 (3n) (a) 2., 48.57 (3n) (am) (intro.), 48.57 (3n) (am) 1., 48.57 (3n) (am) 2., 48.57 (3n) (am) 4., 48.57 (3n) (am) 4m., 48.57 (3n) (am) 5., 48.57 (3n) (am) 5m., 48.57 (3n) (am) 5r., 48.57 (3n) (am) 6. (intro.), 48.57 (3n) (am) 6. c., 48.57 (3n) (am) 6. d., 48.57 (3n) (am) 6. e., 48.57 (3n) (ap) 1., 48.57 (3n) (ap) 2., 48.57 (3n) (ap) 3., 48.57 (3n) (b) 2., 48.57 (3n) (cm), 48.57 (3n) (h), 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. (intro.), 48.57 (3p) (h) 3. b., 48.57 (3p) (h) 4., 48.60 (2) (a), 48.62 (2), 48.64 (1), 48.64 (1m), 48.64 (2), 48.64 (4) (a), 48.64 (4) (c), 48.67 (4) (b), 49.155 (1m) (a) 1m. b., 118.175 (1), 767.57 (1m) (cm), 767.57 (2), 938.02 (15), 938.028 (2) (c), 938.207 (1) (b), 938.207 (1) (f), 938.33 (4) (intro.), 938.335 (3g) (intro.), 938.335 (3j) (intro.), 938.34 (3) (a) (intro.), 938.34 (3) (a) 1., 938.34 (3) (a) 2., 938.355 (4) (am) (intro.), 938.357 (6) (a) (intro.), 938.357 (6) (b), 938.365 (5) (b) (intro.), 938.366 (1) (a), 938.371 (1) (intro.), 938.371 (1) (a), 938.371 (3) (intro.), 938.371 (5), 938.38 (2) (intro.), 938.38 (3m) (a), 938.38 (4) (f) (intro.), 938.38 (4m) (b), 938.38 (4m) (d), 938.38 (5) (b), 938.38 (5) (bm) 1., 938.38 (5) (e), 938.38 (5m) (b), 938.38 (5m) (c) 1., 938.38 (5m) (e) and 938.385 (intro.); and to create 48.02 (12c) and 938.02 (12c) of the statutes; relating to: inclusion of like-kin as an option for with whom children may be placed out of their home under certain circumstances and who may receive kinship care payments.

AB557,,3 Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, a juvenile court may place a child in certain placements that provide out-of-home care under the Children’s Code and the Juvenile Justice Code. Under current law, those placements include specific types of licensed facilities, a licensed foster home, or the home of a relative other than a parent. Under current law, a relative other than a parent does not typically need to acquire a license in order to receive a relative child. This bill allows a juvenile court to similarly place a child with unlicensed individuals who qualify as “like-kin” under the Children’s Code and the Juvenile Justice Code.

The bill defines “like-kin” for the purposes of such a placement to be an individual who has a significant emotional relationship with a child or the child’s family that is similar to a familial relationship and, for an Indian child, includes an individual who is identified by the child’s tribe as kin or like-kin according to tribal tradition, custom or resolution, code, or law. Under the bill, “like-kin” does not include a current or former foster parent of a child for placement purposes.

Under current law, a relative other than a parent who is providing care and maintenance for a child under a court order may receive monthly kinship care payments from the Department of Children and Families or a county department of human or social services. The bill includes as those who may receive kinship care payments first cousins once removed and like-kin persons and changes the term used to refer to these persons from “kinship care relatives” to “kinship care providers.”

Under current law, for the purposes of permanency planning, a family permanency team may include like-kin. The current law definition of “like-kin,” for the purpose of determining the family permanency team, is similar to the definition of “like-kin” for placement purposes in the bill, except that the current law definition 1) does not exclude a current or former foster parent and 2) does not include individuals identified by the child’s tribe if the child is an Indian child. Under the bill, the definition of “like-kin” for determining a family permanency team does not exclude a current or former foster parent but does include individuals identified by the child’s tribe if the child is an Indian child.

AB557,,4 The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB557,1 Section 1. 48.02 (12c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB557,,6 48.02 (12c) “Like-kin” means an individual who has a significant emotional relationship with a child or the child’s family that is similar to a familial relationship and who is not and has not previously been the child’s licensed foster parent. For an Indian child, “like-kin” includes individuals identified by the child’s tribe according to tribal tradition, custom or resolution, code, or law.

AB557,2 Section 2. 48.02 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,8 48.02 (15) “Relative” means a parent, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, first cousin, first cousin once removed, 2nd cousin, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, stepuncle, stepaunt, or any person of a preceding generation as denoted by the prefix of grand, great, or great-great, whether by blood, marriage, or legal adoption, or the spouse of any person named in this subsection, even if the marriage is terminated by death or divorce. For purposes of the application of s. 48.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, “relative” includes an extended family member, as defined in s. 48.028 (2) (am), whether by blood, marriage, or adoption, including adoption under tribal law or custom. For purposes of placement of a child, “relative” also includes a parent of a sibling of the child who has legal custody of that sibling.

AB557,3 Section 3. 48.028 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,10 48.028 (2) (e) “Out-of-home care placement” means the removal of an Indian child from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian for temporary placement in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children and youth, or shelter care facility, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, or in the home of a guardian, from which placement the parent or Indian custodian cannot have the child returned upon demand. “Out-of-home care placement” does not include an adoptive placement, a preadoptive placement, a delegation of powers, as described in par. (d) 5., an emergency change in placement under s. 48.357 (2) (b), or holding an Indian child in custody under ss. 48.19 to 48.21.

AB557,4 Section 4. 48.028 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,12 48.028 (2) (f) “Preadoptive placement” means the temporary placement of an Indian child in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, or in the home of a guardian after a termination of parental rights but prior to or in lieu of an adoptive placement. “Preadoptive placement” does not include an emergency change in placement under s. 48.437 (2).

AB557,5 Section 5. 48.207 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,14 48.207 (1) (b) The home of a relative or like-kin, except that a child may not be held under this paragraph in the home of a relative if the relative person who has been convicted under s. 940.01 of the first-degree intentional homicide, or under s. 940.05 of the 2nd-degree intentional homicide, of a parent of the child, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside or vacated, unless the person making the custody decision determines by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would be in the best interests of the child. The person making the custody decision shall consider the wishes of the child in making that determination.

AB557,6 Section 6. 48.207 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,16 48.207 (1) (f) The home of a person not a relative or like-kin, if the placement does not exceed 30 days, though the placement may be extended for an additional 30 days for cause by the court, and if the person has not had a license under s. 48.62 refused, revoked, or suspended within the last 2 years.

AB557,7 Section 7. 48.33 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,18 48.33 (4) Other out-of-home placements. (intro.) A report recommending placement of an adult expectant mother outside of her home shall be in writing. A report recommending placement of a child in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, in the home of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), or in a supervised independent living arrangement shall be in writing and shall include all of the following:

AB557,8 Section 8. 48.335 (3g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,20 48.335 (3g) (intro.) At hearings under this section, if the agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), is recommending placement of the child in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, in the home of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), or in a supervised independent living arrangement, the agency shall present as evidence specific information showing all of the following:

AB557,9 Section 9. 48.335 (3j) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,22 48.335 (3j) (intro.) At hearings under this section involving an Indian child, if the agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), is recommending removal of the Indian child from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian and placement of the Indian child in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative other than a parent or in the home of like-kin, the agency shall present as evidence specific information showing all of the following:

AB557,10 Section 10. 48.345 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,24 48.345 (3) (a) (intro.) The home of a parent or, other relative, or like-kin of the child, except that the judge may not designate any of the following as the child’s placement, unless the judge determines by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would be in the best interests of the child or, in the case of an Indian child, the best interests of the Indian child as described in s. 48.01 (2):

AB557,11 Section 11. 48.345 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,26 48.345 (3) (a) 1. The home of a parent or, other relative, or like-kin if the parent or, other relative, or like-kin has been convicted under s. 940.01 of the first-degree intentional homicide, or under s. 940.05 of the 2nd-degree intentional homicide, of a parent of the child, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside, or vacated. In determining whether a placement under this subdivision would be in the best interests of the child, the judge shall consider the wishes of the child.

AB557,12 Section 12. 48.345 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,28 48.345 (3) (a) 2. The home of a relative other than the parent of a child or the home of like-kin if the judge finds that the relative or like-kin has been convicted of, has pleaded no contest to, or has had a charge dismissed or amended as a result of a plea agreement for a crime under s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.

AB557,13 Section 13. 48.345 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,30 48.345 (4) (a) A relative or like-kin of the child.

AB557,14 Section 14. 48.355 (4) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,32 48.355 (4) (b) (intro.) Except as provided under s. 48.368, an order under this section or s. 48.357 or 48.365 made before the child reaches 18 years of age that places or continues the placement of the child in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, or in a supervised independent living arrangement shall terminate on the latest of the following dates, unless the judge specifies a shorter period or the judge terminates the order sooner:

AB557,15 Section 15. 48.366 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,34 48.366 (1) (a) The person is placed in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, or in a supervised independent living arrangement under an order under s. 48.355, 48.357, or 48.365 that terminates as provided in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 1., 2., or 3., 48.357 (6) (a) 1., 2., or 3., or 48.365 (5) (b) 1., 2., or 3. on or after the person attains 18 years of age.

AB557,16 Section 16. 48.371 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,36 48.371 (1) (intro.) If a child is placed in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative other than a parent or in the home of like-kin, including a placement under s. 48.205 or 48.21, the agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), that placed the child or arranged for the placement of the child shall provide the following information to the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home or residential care center for children and youth at the time of placement or, if the information has not been provided to the agency by that time, as soon as possible after the date on which the agency receives that information, but not more than 2 working days after that date:

AB557,17 Section 17. 48.371 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,38 48.371 (1) (a) Results of an HIV test, as defined in s. 252.01 (2m), of the child, as provided under s. 252.15 (3m) (d) 15., including results included in a court report or permanency plan. At the time that the HIV test results are provided, the agency shall notify the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home or residential care center for children and youth of the confidentiality requirements under s. 252.15 (6).

AB557,18 Section 18. 48.371 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,40 48.371 (3) (intro.) At the time of placement of a child in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative other than a parent or in the home of like-kin or, if the information is not available at that time, as soon as possible after the date on which the court report or permanency plan has been submitted, but no later than 7 days after that date, the agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), responsible for preparing the child’s permanency plan shall provide to the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home or residential care center for children and youth information contained in the court report submitted under s. 48.33 (1), 48.365 (2g), 48.425 (1), 48.831 (2), or 48.837 (4) (c) or permanency plan submitted under s. 48.355 (2e), 48.38, 48.43 (1) (c) or (5) (c), 48.63 (4) or (5) (c), or 48.831 (4) (e) relating to findings or opinions of the court or agency that prepared the court report or permanency plan relating to any of the following:

AB557,19 Section 19. 48.371 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,42 48.371 (3) (d) Any involvement of the child, whether as victim or perpetrator, in sexual intercourse or sexual contact in violation of s. 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.085, prostitution in violation of s. 944.30 (1m), trafficking in violation of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies, sexual exploitation of a child in violation of s. 948.05, trafficking of a child in violation of s. 948.051, or causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity in violation of s. 948.055, if the information is necessary for the care of the child or for the protection of any person living in the foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of the relative or like-kin.

AB557,20 Section 20. 48.371 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,44 48.371 (5) Except as permitted under s. 252.15 (6), a foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of a group home or residential care center for children and youth that receives any information under sub. (1) or (3), other than the information described in sub. (3) (e), shall keep the information confidential and may disclose that information only for the purposes of providing care for the child or participating in a court hearing or permanency review concerning the child.

AB557,21 Section 21. 48.38 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,46 48.38 (2) Permanency plan required. (intro.) Except as provided in sub. (3), for each child living in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children and youth, juvenile detention facility, shelter care facility, qualifying residential family-based treatment facility with a parent, or supervised independent living arrangement, the agency that placed the child or arranged the placement or the agency assigned primary responsibility for providing services to the child under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 6g. shall prepare a written permanency plan, if any of the following conditions exists, and, for each child living in the home of a guardian or, a relative other than a parent, or like-kin, that agency shall prepare a written permanency plan, if any of the conditions specified in pars. (a) to (e) exists:

AB557,22 Section 22. 48.38 (3m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,48 48.38 (3m) (a) All appropriate biological family members, relatives, and like-kin of the child, as determined by the agency. Notwithstanding s. 48.02 (12c), in this paragraph, “like-kin” may include an individual who is or previously was the child’s licensed foster parent.

AB557,23 Section 23. 48.38 (4) (f) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,50 48.38 (4) (f) (intro.) A description of the services that will be provided to the child, the child’s family, and the child’s foster parent, the operator of the facility where the child is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the child is living to carry out the dispositional order, including services planned to accomplish all of the following:

AB557,24 Section 24. 48.38 (4m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,52 48.38 (4m) (b) At least 10 days before the date of the hearing the court shall notify the child; any parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the child; any foster parent, or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, the operator of the facility in which the child is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the child is living; and, if the child is an Indian child, the Indian child’s Indian custodian and tribe of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing, of the issues to be determined at the hearing, and of the fact that they shall have a right to be heard at the hearing.

AB557,25 Section 25. 48.38 (4m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,54 48.38 (4m) (d) The court shall give a foster parent, other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), operator of a facility, or relative, or like-kin who is notified of a hearing under par. (b) a right to be heard at the hearing by permitting the foster parent, other physical custodian, operator, or relative, or like-kin to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, relevant to the issues to be determined at the hearing. The foster parent, other physical custodian, operator of a facility, or relative, or like-kin does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and right to be heard.

AB557,26 Section 26. 48.38 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,56 48.38 (5) (b) The court or the agency shall notify the child; the child’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; the child’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the child is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the child is living; 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 of the time, place, and purpose of the review, of the issues to be determined as part of the review, and of the fact that they shall have a right to be heard at the review as provided in par. (bm) 1. The court or agency shall notify 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 the child’s school of the time, place, and purpose of the review, of the issues to be determined as part of the review, and of the fact that they may have an opportunity to be heard at the review as provided in par. (bm) 1. The notices under this paragraph shall be provided in writing not less than 30 days before the review and copies of the notices shall be filed in the child’s case record. The notice to the child’s school shall also include the name and contact information for the caseworker or social worker assigned to the child’s case.

AB557,27 Section 27. 48.38 (5) (bm) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,58 48.38 (5) (bm) 1. A child, parent, guardian, legal custodian, foster parent, operator of a facility, or relative, or like-kin who is provided notice of the review under par. (b) shall have a right to be heard at the review by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in par. (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the review or by participating at the review. A person representing the interests of the public, counsel, guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate, or school who is provided notice of the review under par. (b) may have an opportunity to be heard at the review by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in par. (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the review. A foster parent, operator of a facility, or relative, or like-kin who receives notice of a review under par. (b) and a right to be heard under this subdivision does not become a party to the proceeding on which the review is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and right to be heard.

AB557,28 Section 28. 48.38 (5) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,60 48.38 (5) (e) Within 30 days, the agency shall prepare a written summary of the determinations under par. (c) and shall provide a copy to the court that entered the order; the child or the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem; the person representing the interests of the public; the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian; the child’s court-appointed special advocate; the child’s foster parent, the operator of the facility where the child is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the child is living; 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.

AB557,29 Section 29. 48.38 (5m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,62 48.38 (5m) (b) The court shall notify the child; the child’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; and the child’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the child is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the child is living of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing, of the issues to be determined at the hearing, and of the fact that they shall have a right to be heard at the hearing as provided in par. (c) 1. The court shall notify the child’s counsel, the child’s guardian ad litem, and the child’s court-appointed special advocate; the agency that prepared the permanency plan; the child’s school; the person representing the interests of the public; 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 of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing, of the issues to be determined at the hearing, and of the fact that they may have an opportunity to be heard at the hearing as provided in par. (c) 1. The notices under this paragraph shall be provided in writing not less than 30 days before the hearing. The notice to the child’s school shall also include the name and contact information for the caseworker or social worker assigned to the child’s case.

AB557,30 Section 30. 48.38 (5m) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,64 48.38 (5m) (c) 1. A child, parent, guardian, legal custodian, foster parent, operator of a facility, or relative, or like-kin who is provided notice of the hearing under par. (b) shall have a right to be heard at the hearing by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the hearing or by participating at the hearing. A counsel, guardian ad litem, court-appointed special advocate, agency, school, or person representing the interests of the public who is provided notice of the hearing under par. (b) may have an opportunity to be heard at the hearing by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the hearing or by participating at the hearing. A foster parent, operator of a facility, or relative, or like-kin who receives notice of a hearing under par. (b) and a right to be heard under this subdivision does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and right to be heard.

AB557,31 Section 31. 48.38 (5m) (e) of the statutes is amended to read: