AB557: Bill Text

AB557,,182 767.57 (2) Procedure if recipient on public assistance. If a party entitled to maintenance or support, or both, is receiving public assistance under ch. 49, the party may assign the party’s right to support or maintenance to the county department under s. 46.215, 46.22, or 46.23 granting the assistance. The assignment shall be approved by order of the court granting the maintenance or support. The assignment may not be terminated if there is a delinquency in the amount to be paid to the assignee of maintenance and support previously ordered without the written consent of the assignee or upon notice to the assignee and a hearing. When an assignment of maintenance or support, or both, has been approved by the order, the assignee shall be deemed a real party in interest within s. 803.01 solely for the purpose of securing payment of unpaid maintenance or support ordered to be paid, by participating in proceedings to secure the payment of unpaid amounts. Notwithstanding assignment under this subsection, and without further order of the court, the department or its designee, upon receiving notice that a party or a minor child of the parties is receiving aid under s. 48.645 or public assistance under ch. 49 or that a kinship care relative provider or long-term kinship care relative provider of the minor child is receiving kinship care payments or long-term kinship care payments for the minor child, shall forward all support assigned under s. 48.57 (3m) (b) 2. or (3n) (b) 2., 48.645 (3), 49.19 (4) (h) 1., or 49.45 (19) to the assignee under s. 48.57 (3m) (b) 2. or (3n) (b) 2., 48.645 (3), 49.19 (4) (h) 1., or 49.45 (19).

AB557,90 Section 90. 938.02 (12c) of the statutes is created to read:

AB557,,184 938.02 (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.

AB557,91 Section 91. 938.02 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,186 938.02 (15) “Relative” means a parent, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, first cousin, 2nd cousin, first cousin once removed, 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. 938.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, “relative” includes an extended family member, as defined in s. 938.028 (2) (a), whether by blood, marriage, or adoption, including adoption under tribal law or custom. For purposes of placement of a juvenile, “relative” also includes a parent of a sibling of the juvenile who has legal custody of that sibling.

AB557,92 Section 92. 938.028 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,188 938.028 (2) (c) “Out-of-home care placement” means the removal of an Indian juvenile 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 juvenile returned upon demand. “Out-of-home care placement” does not include an emergency change in placement under s. 938.357 (2) (b) or holding an Indian juvenile in custody under ss. 938.19 to 938.21.

AB557,93 Section 93. 938.207 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,190 938.207 (1) (b) The home of a relative or like-kin, except that a juvenile may not be held 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 juvenile, 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 juvenile. The person making the custody decision shall consider the wishes of the juvenile in making that determination.

AB557,94 Section 94. 938.207 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,192 938.207 (1) (f) The home of a person not a relative or like-kin if the person has not had a license under s. 48.62 refused, revoked, or suspended within the previous 2 years. A placement under this paragraph may not exceed 30 days, unless the placement is extended by the court for cause for an additional 30 days.

AB557,95 Section 95. 938.33 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,194 938.33 (4) Other out-of-home placements. (intro.) A report recommending placement in a foster home, group home, or nonsecured 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, except that the report may be presented orally at the dispositional hearing if all parties consent. A report that is presented orally shall be transcribed and made a part of the court record. The report shall include all of the following:

AB557,96 Section 96. 938.335 (3g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,196 938.335 (3g) Reasonable efforts finding. (intro.) At hearings under this section, if the agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), is recommending placement of the juvenile 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:

AB557,97 Section 97. 938.335 (3j) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,198 938.335 (3j) Indian juvenile; active efforts finding. (intro.) At hearings under this section involving an Indian juvenile who is the subject of a proceeding under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), if the agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), is recommending removal of the Indian juvenile from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian and placement of the Indian juvenile 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:

AB557,98 Section 98. 938.34 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,200 938.34 (3) (a) (intro.) The home of a parent or, other relative, or like-kin of the juvenile, except that the court may not designate any of the following as the juvenile’s placement, unless the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would be in the best interests of the juvenile or, in the case of an Indian juvenile, the best interests of the Indian juvenile as described in s. 938.01 (3):

AB557,99 Section 99. 938.34 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,202 938.34 (3) (a) 1. The home of a parent or, other relative, or like-kin of the juvenile if the parent or, other relative, or like-kin has been convicted of the homicide of a parent of the juvenile under s. 940.01 or 940.05, 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 juvenile, the court shall consider the wishes of the juvenile.

AB557,100 Section 100. 938.34 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,204 938.34 (3) (a) 2. The home of a relative other than the parent of the juvenile or the home of like-kin if the court 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.

AB557,101 Section 101. 938.355 (4) (am) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,206 938.355 (4) (am) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (b) or s. 938.368, an order under this section or s. 938.357 or 938.365 made before the juvenile attains 18 years of age that places or continues the placement of the juvenile 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 court specifies a shorter period or the court terminates the order sooner:

AB557,102 Section 102. 938.357 (6) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,208 938.357 (6) (a) (intro.) No change in placement may extend the expiration date of the original dispositional order, except that if the change in placement is from a placement in the juvenile’s home to a placement in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative who is not a parent, in the home of like-kin, or in a supervised independent living arrangement, the court may extend the expiration date of the original dispositional order to the latest of the following dates, unless the court specifies a shorter period:

AB557,103 Section 103. 938.357 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,210 938.357 (6) (b) If the change in placement is from a placement in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative or like-kin to a placement in the juvenile’s home and if the expiration date of the original dispositional order is more than one year after the date on which the change-in-placement order is granted, the court shall shorten the expiration date of the original dispositional order to the date that is one year after the date on which the change-in-placement order is granted or to an earlier date as specified by the court.

AB557,104 Section 104. 938.365 (5) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,212 938.365 (5) (b) (intro.) Except as provided in s. 938.368, an order under this section that continues the placement of a juvenile 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 be for a specified length of time not to exceed the latest of the following dates:

AB557,105 Section 105. 938.366 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,214 938.366 (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. 938.355, 938.357, or 938.365 that terminates as provided in s. 938.355 (4) (am) 1., 2., or 3., 938.357 (6) (a) 1., 2., or 3., or 938.365 (5) (b) 1., 2., or 3. on or after the person attains 18 years of age.

AB557,106 Section 106. 938.371 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,216 938.371 (1) Medical information. (intro.) If a juvenile is placed in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children and youth, or juvenile correctional facility or, in the home of a relative other than a parent, or in the home of like-kin, including a placement under s. 938.205 or 938.21, the agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), that placed the juvenile or arranged for the placement of the juvenile shall provide the following information to the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home, residential care center for children and youth, or juvenile correctional facility 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:

AB557,107 Section 107. 938.371 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,218 938.371 (1) (a) Results of an HIV test, as defined in s. 252.01 (2m), of the juvenile as provided under s. 252.15 (3m) (d) 15., including results included in a court report or permanency plan. At the time that the test results are provided, the agency shall notify the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home, residential care center for children and youth, or juvenile correctional facility of the confidentiality requirements under s. 252.15 (6).

AB557,108 Section 108. 938.371 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,220 938.371 (3) Other information. (intro.) At the time of placement of a juvenile in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children and youth, or juvenile correctional facility 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. 938.38 (1) (a), responsible for preparing the juvenile’s permanency plan shall provide to the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home, residential care center for children and youth, or juvenile correctional facility information contained in the court report submitted under s. 938.33 (1) or 938.365 (2g) or permanency plan submitted under s. 938.355 (2e) or 938.38 relating to findings or opinions of the court or agency that prepared the court report or permanency plan relating to any of the following:

AB557,109 Section 109. 938.371 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,222 938.371 (5) Confidentiality of information. Except as permitted under s. 252.15 (6), a foster parent, treatment foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of a group home, residential care center for children and youth, or juvenile correctional facility 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 juvenile or participating in a court hearing or permanency review concerning the juvenile.

AB557,110 Section 110. 938.38 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,224 938.38 (2) Permanency plan required. (intro.) Except as provided in sub. (3), for each juvenile living in a foster home, group home, residential care center for children and youth, juvenile detention facility, shelter care facility, or supervised independent living arrangement, the agency that placed the juvenile or arranged the placement or the agency assigned primary responsibility for providing services to the juvenile under s. 938.355 (2) (b) 6g. shall prepare a written permanency plan, if any of the following conditions exists, and, for each juvenile living in the home of a guardian or a relative other than a parent or in the home of like-kin, that agency shall prepare a written permanency plan, if any of the conditions under pars. (a) to (e) exists:

AB557,111 Section 111. 938.38 (3m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,226 938.38 (3m) (a) All appropriate biological family members, relatives, and like-kin of the juvenile, as determined by the agency. Notwithstanding s. 938.02 (12c), in this paragraph, “like-kin” may include an individual who is or previously was the child’s licensed foster parent.

AB557,112 Section 112. 938.38 (4) (f) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,228 938.38 (4) (f) (intro.) A description of the services that will be provided to the juvenile, the juvenile’s family, and the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility where the juvenile is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the juvenile is living to carry out the dispositional order, including services planned to accomplish all of the following:

AB557,113 Section 113. 938.38 (4m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,230 938.38 (4m) (b) At least 10 days before the date of the hearing the court shall notify the juvenile; any parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the juvenile; any foster parent, or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the juvenile, the operator of the facility in which the juvenile is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the juvenile is living; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is or is alleged to be in need of protection or services under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’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.

AB557,114 Section 114. 938.38 (4m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,232 938.38 (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.

AB557,115 Section 115. 938.38 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,234 938.38 (5) (b) The court or the agency shall notify the juvenile; the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the juvenile is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the juvenile is living; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’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 juvenile’s counsel, the juvenile’s guardian ad litem, and the juvenile’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 juvenile’s case record. The notice to the juvenile’s school shall also include the name and contact information for the caseworker or social worker assigned to the juvenile’s case.

AB557,116 Section 116. 938.38 (5) (bm) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,236 938.38 (5) (bm) 1. A juvenile, 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, 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.

AB557,117 Section 117. 938.38 (5) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,238 938.38 (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 juvenile or the juvenile’s counsel or guardian ad litem; the person representing the interests of the public; the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian; the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility where the juvenile is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the juvenile is living; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe.

AB557,118 Section 118. 938.38 (5m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,240 938.38 (5m) (b) The court shall notify the juvenile; the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; and the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the juvenile is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the juvenile 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 juvenile’s counsel and the juvenile’s guardian ad litem; the agency that prepared the permanency plan; the juvenile’s school; the person representing the interests of the public; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’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 juvenile’s school shall also include the name and contact information for the caseworker or social worker assigned to the juvenile’s case.

AB557,119 Section 119. 938.38 (5m) (c) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,242 938.38 (5m) (c) 1. A juvenile, 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, 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.

AB557,120 Section 120. 938.38 (5m) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,244 938.38 (5m) (e) After the hearing, the court shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law relating to the determinations under sub. (5) (c) and shall provide a copy of those findings of fact and conclusions of law to the juvenile; the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the juvenile is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the juvenile is living; the agency that prepared the permanency plan; the person representing the interests of the public; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe. The court shall make the findings specified in sub. (5) (c) 7. on a case-by-case basis based on circumstances specific to the juvenile and shall document or reference the specific information on which those findings are based in the findings of fact and conclusions of law prepared under this paragraph. Findings of fact and conclusions of law that merely reference sub. (5) (c) 7. without documenting or referencing that specific information in the findings of fact and conclusions of law or amended findings of fact and conclusions of law that retroactively correct earlier findings of fact and conclusions of law that do not comply with this paragraph are not sufficient to comply with this paragraph.

AB557,121 Section 121. 938.385 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB557,,246 938.385 Plan for transition to independent living. (intro.) During the 90 days immediately before a juvenile who 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 attains 18 years of age or, if the juvenile is placed in such a placement under an order under s. 938.355, 938.357, or 938.365 that terminates under s. 938.355 (4) (am) after the juvenile attains 18 years of age or under a voluntary transition-to-independent-living agreement under s. 938.366 (3) that terminates under s. 938.366 (3) (a) after the juvenile attains 18 years of age, during the 90 days immediately before the termination of the order or agreement, the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile under the order or agreement shall do all of the following:

AB557,122 Section 122. Nonstatutory provisions.

AB557,,248 (1) If, prior to July 1, 2024, the department of children and families determines that there is sufficient funding allocated under s. 49.175 (1) (s) to fund the expansion of the kinship care and long-term kinship care programs under this act, the department shall submit to the legislative reference bureau for publication in the Wisconsin Administrative Register a notice specifying the date of that determination.

AB557,123 Section 123. Effective date.

AB557,,250 (1) This act takes effect on the date specified in the notice published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register under Section 122 (1) of this act, or on July 1, 2025, whichever is earlier.

AB557,,251 (end)