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AB559,4,33 (a) A child who suffered prenatal exposure to a controlled substance or alcohol,
4used by the mother for a nonmedical purpose, as evidenced by withdrawal symptoms
5in the child at birth, a positive result from a toxicology test of the mother or child at

1the time of the child's birth, or developmental delays or other symptoms during the
2child's first year of life that have been diagnosed as a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
3or as caused by prenatal exposure to a controlled substance.
AB559,4,54 (b) A child whose basic needs and safety have been adversely affected by a
5parent's or guardian's chronic and severe use of alcohol or a controlled substance.
AB559,2 6Section 2 . 48.13 (15) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,4,77 48.13 (15) The child is a drug-affected child.
AB559,3 8Section 3 . 48.31 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,5,79 48.31 (2) The A hearing on a termination of parental rights petition shall be
10to the court. A hearing on a petition under s. 48.13 or 48.133 shall be to the court
11unless the child, the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the unborn child's
12guardian ad litem, or the expectant mother of the unborn child exercises the right
13to a jury trial by demanding a jury trial at any time before or during the plea hearing.
14If a jury trial is demanded in a proceeding under s. 48.13 or 48.133, the jury shall
15consist of 6 persons. If a jury trial is demanded in a proceeding under s. 48.42, the
16jury shall consist of 12 persons unless the parties agree to a lesser number.
Chapters
17756 and 805 shall govern the selection of jurors. If the hearing involves a child victim
18or witness, as defined in s. 950.02, the court may order that a deposition be taken by
19audiovisual means and allow the use of a recorded deposition under s. 967.04 (7) to
20(10) and, with the district attorney, shall comply with s. 971.105. At the conclusion
21of the a hearing on a termination of parental rights petition, the court shall make a
22determination of the facts. At the conclusion of a hearing on a petition under s. 48.13
23or 48.133, the court
or jury shall make a determination of the facts, except that in a
24case alleging a child or an unborn child to be in need of protection or services under
25s. 48.13 or 48.133, the court shall make the determination under s. 48.13 (intro.) or

148.133 relating to whether the child or unborn child is in need of protection or
2services that can be ordered by the court. If the court finds that the child or unborn
3child is not within the jurisdiction of the court or, in a case alleging a child or an
4unborn child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 or 48.133, that the
5child or unborn child is not in need of protection or services that can be ordered by
6the court, or if the court or jury finds that the facts alleged in the petition have not
7been proved, the court shall dismiss the petition with prejudice.
AB559,4 8Section 4 . 48.31 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,6,59 48.31 (4) The court shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law relating
10to the allegations of a petition filed under s. 48.42. The court
or jury shall make
11findings of fact and the court shall make conclusions of law relating to the allegations
12of a petition filed under s. 48.13, or 48.133 or 48.42, except that the court shall make
13findings of fact relating to whether the child or unborn child is in need of protection
14or services which that can be ordered by the court. In cases alleging a child to be in
15need of protection or services under s. 48.13 (11), the court may not find that the child
16is suffering emotional damage unless a licensed physician specializing in psychiatry
17or a licensed psychologist appointed by the court to examine the child has testified
18at the hearing that in his or her opinion the condition exists, and adequate
19opportunity for the cross-examination of the physician or psychologist has been
20afforded. The judge may use the written reports if the right to have testimony
21presented is voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waived by the guardian ad
22litem or legal counsel for the child and the parent or guardian. In cases alleging a
23child to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 (11m) or an unborn child
24to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.133, the court may not find that the
25child or the expectant mother of the unborn child is in need of treatment and

1education for needs and problems related to the use or abuse of alcohol beverages,
2controlled substances, or controlled substance analogs and its medical, personal,
3family, or social effects unless an assessment for alcohol and other drug abuse that
4conforms to the criteria specified under s. 48.547 (4) has been conducted by an
5approved treatment facility.
AB559,5 6Section 5 . 48.356 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,6,167 48.356 (1) Whenever the court orders a child to be placed outside his or her
8home, orders an expectant mother of an unborn child to be placed outside of her
9home, or denies a parent visitation because the child or unborn child has been
10adjudged to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.21 (4), 48.32, 48.345,
1148.347, 48.357, 48.363, or 48.365 and whenever the court reviews a permanency plan
12under s. 48.38 (5m), the court shall orally inform the parent or parents who appear
13in court or the expectant mother who appears in court of any grounds for termination
14of parental rights under s. 48.415 which may be applicable and of the conditions
15necessary for the child or expectant mother to be returned to the home or for the
16parent to be granted visitation.
AB559,6 17Section 6 . 48.38 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,7,518 48.38 (5) (a) Except as provided in s. 48.63 (5) (d), the court or a panel appointed
19under par. (ag) shall review the permanency plan for each child for whom a
20permanency plan is required under sub. (2) in the manner provided in this subsection
21not later than 6 months after the date on which the child was first removed from his
22or her home
of a hearing held under sub. (5m) and every 6 months after a previous
23review under this subsection for as long as the child is placed outside the home,
24except that for the review that is required to be conducted not later than 12 months
25after the child was first removed from his or her home and the
reviews that are

1required to be conducted every 12 months after that review the initial hearing under
2sub. (5m),
the court shall hold a hearing under sub. (5m) to review the permanency
3plan, which. The hearing may be instead of or in addition to the review under this
4subsection. The 6-month and 12-month periods referred to in this paragraph
5include trial reunifications under s. 48.358.
AB559,7 6Section 7 . 48.38 (5m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,7,137 48.38 (5m) (a) The court shall hold a hearing to review the permanency plan
8and to make the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) for each child for whom a
9permanency plan is required under sub. (2) no later than 12 6 months after the date
10on which the child was first removed from the home and every 12 months after a
11previous hearing under this subsection for as long as the child is placed outside the
12home. The 6-month and 12-month periods referred to in this paragraph include
13trial reunifications under s. 48.358.
AB559,8 14Section 8. 48.415 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,8,2 1548.415 Grounds for involuntary termination of parental rights. (intro.)
16At the fact-finding hearing the court or jury shall determine whether grounds exist
17for the termination of parental rights. If the child is an Indian child, the court or jury
18shall also determine at the fact-finding hearing whether continued custody of the
19Indian child by the Indian child's parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in
20serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child under s. 48.028 (4) (e) 1. and
21whether active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (e) 2. have been made to prevent the
22breakup of the Indian child's family and whether those efforts have proved
23unsuccessful, unless partial summary judgment on the grounds for termination of
24parental rights is granted, in which case the court shall make those determinations

1at the dispositional hearing. Grounds for termination of parental rights shall be one
2of the following:
AB559,9 3Section 9 . 48.415 (1) (a) 4. of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,8,64 48.415 (1) (a) 4. That a person who is or may be the father of the child failed
5without reasonable cause to provide care and support for the mother during her
6pregnancy.
AB559,10 7Section 10 . 48.415 (1) (a) 5. of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,8,98 48.415 (1) (a) 5. That the parent has failed without reasonable cause to pay
9court-ordered payments of child support.
AB559,11 10Section 11 . 48.415 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,8,1611 48.415 (2) (a) 1. That the child has been adjudged to be a child or an unborn
12child in need of protection or services and placed, or continued in a placement,
13outside his or her home pursuant to one or more court orders under s. 48.21 (4), 48.32,
1448.345, 48.347, 48.357, 48.363, 48.365, 48.38, 938.21 (4), 938.32, 938.345, 938.357,
15938.363 or, 938.365, or 938.38 containing the notice required by s. 48.356 (2) or
16938.356 (2).
AB559,12 17Section 12 . 48.415 (3m) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,8,1918 48.415 (3m) Parental incarceration. Parental incarceration, which shall be
19established by proving all of the following:
AB559,8,2320 (a) That the child has been adjudged to be in need of protection or services and
21placed, or continued in a placement, outside his or her home pursuant to one or more
22court orders under s. 48.345, 48.357, 48.363, or 48.365 containing the notice required
23under s. 48.356 (2).
AB559,8,2424 (b) That the parent is incarcerated at the time of the fact-finding hearing.
AB559,9,4
1(c) That the parent is likely to continue to be incarcerated for a substantial
2period of the child's minority. In determining whether the parent is likely to continue
3to be incarcerated for a substantial period of the child's minority, the court may
4consider whether the parent has a history of repeated incarceration.
AB559,13 5Section 13 . 48.415 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,9,106 48.415 (4) (a) That the parent has been denied periods of physical placement
7by court order in an action affecting the family or has been denied visitation under
8an order under s. 48.21 (4), 48.32, 48.345, 48.355 (3), 48.363, 48.365, 48.38, 938.21
9(4), 938.32,
938.345, 938.363 or, 938.365, or 938.38 containing the notice required by
10s. 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2).
AB559,14 11Section 14 . 48.415 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,9,2112 48.415 (6) (b) In this subsection, “substantial parental relationship" means the
13acceptance and exercise of significant responsibility for the daily supervision,
14education, protection, and care of the child. In evaluating whether the person has
15had a substantial parental relationship with the child, the court may consider such
16factors, including, but not limited to, whether the person has expressed concern for
17or interest in the
provided care or support , care or well-being of for the child, and
18whether the person has neglected or refused to provide care or support for the child
19and whether, with respect to a person who is or may be the father of the child, the
20person has expressed concern for or interest in the support, care or well-being of the
21mother during her pregnancy
.
AB559,15 22Section 15 . 48.415 (11) of the statutes is created to read:
AB559,9,2423 48.415 (11) Drug-affected child. The child is a drug-affected child, which
24shall be established by proving that the child has been adjudged to be a child in need

1of protection or services under s. 48.13 (15), unless the parent proves all of the
2following by a preponderance of the evidence:
AB559,10,53 (a) That the parent enrolled in a substance abuse treatment or recovery
4program within 90 days of the birth of the child or placement of the child outside of
5the home pursuant to a dispositional order under s. 48.345.
AB559,10,76 (b) That the parent continues to maintain substantial compliance with a
7substance abuse treatment or recovery program.
AB559,16 8Section 16. 48.422 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,10,139 48.422 (1) Except as provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), the hearing on the petition
10to terminate parental rights shall be held within 30 days after the petition is filed.
11At the hearing on the petition to terminate parental rights the court shall determine
12whether any party wishes to contest the petition and inform the parties of their
13rights under sub. (4) and s. 48.423.
AB559,17 14Section 17. 48.422 (4) of the statutes is repealed.
AB559,18 15Section 18. 48.422 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,10,1816 48.422 (5) Any nonpetitioning party, including the child, shall be granted a
17continuance of the hearing for the purpose of consulting with an attorney on the
18request for a jury trial or
concerning a request for the substitution of a judge.
AB559,19 19Section 19. 48.424 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,10,2420 48.424 (3) If the facts are determined by a jury, the jury may only The court
21shall
decide whether any grounds for the termination of parental rights have been
22proved and, whether the allegations specified in s. 48.42 (1) (e) have been proved in
23cases involving the involuntary termination of parental rights to an Indian child.
24The court shall decide
, and what disposition is in the best interest of the child.
AB559,20 25Section 20. 48.424 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,11,8
148.424 (4) (intro.) If the court finds grounds for the termination of parental
2rights are found by the court or jury, the court shall find the parent unfit. A finding
3of unfitness shall not preclude a dismissal of a petition under s. 48.427 (2). Except
4as provided in s. 48.23 (2) (b) 3., the court shall then proceed immediately to hear
5evidence and motions related to the dispositions enumerated in s. 48.427. Except as
6provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), the court may delay making the disposition and set a
7date for a dispositional hearing no later than 45 days after the fact-finding hearing
8if any of the following apply:
AB559,21 9Section 21 . 938.356 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,11,1710 938.356 (1) Oral warning. Whenever the court orders a juvenile to be placed
11outside his or her home or denies a parent visitation because the juvenile has been
12adjudged to be delinquent or to be in need of protection or services under s. 938.21
13(4), 938.32,
938.34, 938.345, 938.357, 938.363, or 938.365 and whenever the court
14reviews a permanency plan under s. 938.38 (5m), the court shall orally inform the
15parent or parents who appear in court of any grounds for termination of parental
16rights under s. 48.415 which may be applicable and of the conditions necessary for
17the juvenile to be returned to the home or for the parent to be granted visitation.
AB559,22 18Section 22 . 938.38 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,12,619 938.38 (5) (a) Except as provided in s. 48.63 (5) (d), the court or a panel
20appointed under par. (ag) shall review the permanency plan for each juvenile for
21whom a permanency plan is required under sub. (2) in the manner provided in this
22subsection not later than 6 months after the date on which the juvenile was first
23removed from his or her home
of a hearing held under sub. (5m) and every 6 months
24after a previous review under this subsection for as long as the juvenile is placed
25outside the home, except that for the review that is required to be conducted not later

1than 12 months after the juvenile was first removed from his or her home and the

2reviews that are required to be conducted every 12 months after that review the
3initial hearing under sub. (5m)
, the court shall hold a hearing under sub. (5m) to
4review the permanency plan. The hearing may be instead of or in addition to the
5review under this subsection. The 6-month and 12-month periods referred to in this
6paragraph include trial reunifications under s. 938.358.
AB559,23 7Section 23 . 938.38 (5m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB559,12,148 938.38 (5m) (a) The court shall hold a hearing to review the permanency plan
9and to make the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) for each juvenile for whom
10a permanency plan is required under sub. (2) no later than 12 6 months after the date
11on which the juvenile was first removed from the home and every 12 months after
12a previous hearing under this subsection for as long as the juvenile is placed outside
13the home. The 6-month and 12-month periods referred to in this paragraph include
14trial reunifications under s. 938.358.
AB559,24 15Section 24 . Nonstatutory provisions.
AB559,12,2216 (1) Parental incarceration. A court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under ch.
1748 may terminate parental rights to a child who was ordered to be placed outside the
18home before the effective date of this subsection on the grounds specified under s.
1948.415 (3m) notwithstanding that the parent was not notified of those grounds under
20s. 48.356 (2) when that placement was ordered so long as the parent is notified of
21those grounds under s. 48.356 (2) before the filing of the termination of parental
22rights petition.
AB559,25 23Section 25. Initial applicability.
AB559,13,3
1(1) Right to a jury trial. This act first applies to a termination of parental
2rights proceeding for which the petition is filed on the effective date of this
3subsection.
AB559,13,64 (2) Child in need of protection or services ground. The treatment of s. 48.13
5(15) first applies to a petition filed under s. 48.13 on the effective date of this
6subsection.
AB559,13,107 (3) Warnings for grounds of an involuntary termination of parental rights.
8The treatment of s. 48.415 (11) first applies to court orders required to contain the
9notice under s. 48.356 (2) or 938.356 (2) granted on the effective date of this
10subsection.
AB559,13,1311 (4) Permanency plan reviews. The treatment of ss. 48.38 (5) (a) and (5m) (a)
12and 938.38 (5) (a) and (5m) (a) first applies to a permanency plan that is filed with
13the court under s. 48.38 (3) or 938.38 (3) on the effective date of this subsection.
AB559,13,1514 (5) Parental incarceration. This act first applies to a petition for termination
15of parental rights filed on the effective date of this subsection.
AB559,13,1616 (End)
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