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AB630,25 18Section 25 . 48.417 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,12,219 48.417 (2) Filing or joining in petition or motion; when not required. (intro.)
20Notwithstanding that any of the circumstances specified in sub. (1) (a), (b), (c) or (d)
21may apply, an agency or the district attorney, corporation counsel or other
22appropriate official designated under s. 48.09 need not file a petition under s. 48.42
23(1) or motion under s. 48.42 (1d) to terminate the parental rights of a parent or the
24parents of a child, or, if a petition under s. 48.42 (1) or motion to terminate those
25parental rights has already been filed, the agency, district attorney, corporation

1counsel or other appropriate official need not join in the petition, if any of the
2following circumstances apply:
AB630,26 3Section 26 . 48.417 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,12,104 48.417 (3) Concurrent adoption efforts required. If a petition or motion to
5terminate parental rights
is filed or joined in as required under sub. (1), the agency
6primarily responsible for providing services to the child under a court order shall,
7during the pendency of the proceeding on the petition or motion, work with the
8agency identified in the report under s. 48.425 (1) (f) that would be responsible for
9accomplishing the adoption of the child in processing and approving a qualified
10family for the adoption of the child.
AB630,27 11Section 27 . 48.417 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,12,1412 48.417 (4) Notice to department. If a petition or motion to terminate parental
13rights
is filed or joined in as required under sub. (1), the person who filed or joined
14in the petition or motion shall notify the department of that filing or joinder.
AB630,28 15Section 28 . 48.42 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,12,2016 48.42 (1) Petition. (intro.) A Except as provided under sub. (1d), a proceeding
17for the termination of parental rights shall be initiated by petition which may be filed
18by the child's parent, an agency or a person authorized to file a petition under s. 48.25
19or 48.835. The petition shall be entitled “In the interest of .......... (child's name), a
20person under the age of 18" and shall set forth with specificity:
AB630,29 21Section 29 . 48.42 (1d) of the statutes is created to read:
AB630,13,422 48.42 (1d) Motion to terminate parental rights of a child alleged to be in
23need of protection or services.
If there is an open proceeding under s. 48.13 for the
24child, the termination of parental rights may be initiated by filing a motion in that
25open proceeding. A motion under this subsection may be filed by the child's parent,

1an agency, or a person authorized to file a petition under s. 48.25, who is a party to
2the open proceeding, and shall set forth with specificity the information required in
3sub. (1) (c) and (e). A motion filed under this subsection is subject to the procedures
4of this subchapter.
AB630,30 5Section 30 . 48.42 (1g) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,13,166 48.42 (1g) (a) (intro.) Except as provided in par. (c), if the petition or motion to
7terminate parental rights
is filed by a person or agency other than the district
8attorney, corporation counsel, or other appropriate official under s. 48.09; if the
9petition or motion seeks to terminate the parental rights of a person who may be the
10father of a nonmarital child who is under one year of age at the time the petition or
11motion
is filed, who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry
12under s. 767.803, and whose paternity has not been established; and if the mother
13of the child has voluntarily consented to or seeks to voluntarily consent to the
14termination of her parental rights to the child, the petitioner or movant may file with
15the petition or motion an affidavit signed by the mother that includes all of the
16following:
AB630,31 17Section 31 . 48.42 (1g) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,14,218 48.42 (1g) (b) The petitioner or movant shall notify any man identified in the
19affidavit under par. (a) as an alleged father of his right to file a declaration of paternal
20interest under s. 48.025 before the birth of the child, within 14 days after the birth
21of the child, or within 21 days after the date on which the notice is mailed, whichever
22is later; of the birth date or anticipated birth date of the child; and of the
23consequences of filing or not filing a declaration of paternal interest. The petitioner
24or movant shall include with the notice a copy of the form required to file a

1declaration of paternal interest under s. 48.025. The notice shall be sent by certified
2mail to the last-known address of the alleged father.
AB630,32 3Section 32 . 48.42 (1g) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,14,54 48.42 (1g) (c) If an affidavit under par. (a) is not filed with the petition or
5motion
, notice shall be given to an alleged father under sub. (2).
AB630,33 6Section 33 . 48.42 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,14,157 48.42 (1m) (a) If the petition filed under sub. (1) or motion filed under sub. (1d)
8includes a statement of the grounds for involuntary termination of parental rights
9under sub. (1) (c) 2., the petitioner or movant may, at the time the petition under sub.
10(1) or motion under sub. (1d) is filed, also petition the court for a temporary order and
11an injunction prohibiting the person whose parental rights are sought to be
12terminated from visiting or contacting the child who is the subject of the petition
13under sub. (1) or motion. Any petition under this paragraph shall allege facts
14sufficient to show that prohibiting visitation or contact would be in the best interests
15of the child.
AB630,34 16Section 34 . 48.42 (1m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,14,2217 48.42 (1m) (b) Subject to par. (e), the court may issue the temporary order ex
18parte or may refuse to issue the temporary order and hold a hearing on whether to
19issue an injunction. The temporary order is in effect until a hearing is held on the
20issuance of an injunction. The court shall hold a hearing on the issuance of an
21injunction on or before the date of the hearing on the petition or motion to terminate
22parental rights under s. 48.422 (1).
AB630,35 23Section 35 . 48.42 (1m) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,15,524 48.42 (1m) (c) Notwithstanding any other order under s. 48.355 (3), the court,
25subject to par. (e), may grant an injunction prohibiting the respondent from visiting

1or contacting the child if the court determines that the prohibition would be in the
2best interests of the child. An injunction under this subsection is effective according
3to its terms but may not remain in effect beyond the date the court dismisses the
4petition or motion for termination of parental rights under s. 48.427 (2) or issues an
5order terminating parental rights under s. 48.427 (3).
AB630,36 6Section 36 . 48.42 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,15,97 48.42 (2) Who must be summoned. (intro.) Except as provided in sub. (2m), the
8petitioner or movant shall cause the summons and petition or motion to terminate
9parental rights
to be served upon the following persons:
AB630,37 10Section 37 . 48.42 (2) (bm) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,15,1511 48.42 (2) (bm) (intro.) If the child is a nonmarital child who is under one year
12of age at the time the petition or motion to terminate parental rights is filed and who
13is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under s. 767.803 and
14whose paternity has not been established and if an affidavit under sub. (1g) (a) is filed
15with the petition or motion to terminate parental rights:
AB630,38 16Section 38 . 48.42 (2g) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,16,317 48.42 (2g) (a) In addition to causing the summons and petition or motion to
18terminate parental rights
to be served as required under sub. (2), the petitioner or
19movant
shall also notify any foster parent or other physical custodian described in
20s. 48.62 (2) of the child of all hearings on the petition or motion. The first notice to
21any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) shall be
22written, shall have a copy of the petition or motion attached to it, shall state the
23nature, location, date, and time of the initial hearing and shall be mailed to the
24last-known address of the foster parent or other physical custodian described in s.
2548.62 (2). Thereafter, notice of hearings may be given by telephone at least 72 hours

1before the time of the hearing. The person giving telephone notice shall place in the
2case file a signed statement of the time notice was given and the person to whom he
3or she spoke.
AB630,39 4Section 39 . 48.42 (2g) (ag) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,16,195 48.42 (2g) (ag) In the case of an involuntary termination of parental rights to
6a child whom the petitioner or movant knows or has reason to know is an Indian
7child, the petitioner or movant shall cause the summons and petition or motion to be
8served on the Indian child's parent and Indian custodian in the manner specified in
9s. 48.028 (4) (a). In like manner, the petitioner or movant shall also notify the Indian
10child's tribe of all hearings on the petition or motion. The first notice to an Indian
11child's tribe shall be written, shall have a copy of the petition or motion attached to
12it, and shall state the nature, location, date, and time of the initial hearing. No
13hearing may be held on the petition or motion until at least 10 days after receipt of
14notice of the hearing by the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe or, if
15the identity or location of the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe cannot
16be determined, until at least 15 days after receipt of the notice by the U.S. secretary
17of the interior. On request of the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, or tribe, the
18court shall grant a continuance of up to 20 additional days to enable the requester
19to prepare for the hearing.
AB630,40 20Section 40 . 48.42 (2m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,17,921 48.42 (2m) Notice not required. (a) Parent as a result of sexual assault.
22Except as provided in this paragraph, notice is not required to be given to a person
23who may be the father of a child conceived as a result of a sexual assault in violation
24of s. 940.225 (1), (2) or (3), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, or 948.085 if a physician attests
25to his or her belief that a sexual assault as specified in this paragraph has occurred

1or if the person who may be the father of the child has been convicted of sexual assault
2as specified in this paragraph for conduct which may have led to the child's
3conception. A person who under this paragraph is not given notice does not have
4standing to appear and contest a petition or motion for the termination of his
5parental rights, present evidence relevant to the issue of disposition, or make
6alternative dispositional recommendations. This paragraph does not apply to a
7person who may be the father of a child conceived as a result of a sexual assault in
8violation of s. 948.02 (1) or (2) if that person was under 18 years of age at the time
9of the sexual assault.
AB630,17,2010 (b) Parent of nonmarital child. A person who may be the father of a nonmarital
11child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under s.
12767.803 and whose paternity has not been established, by virtue of the fact that he
13has engaged in sexual intercourse with the mother of the child, is considered to be
14on notice that a pregnancy and a termination of parental rights proceeding
15concerning the child may occur, and has the duty to protect his own rights and
16interests. He is therefore entitled to actual notice of such a proceeding only as
17provided in sub. (2) (b) or (bm). A person who is not entitled to notice under sub. (2)
18(b) or (bm) does not have standing to appear and contest a petition or motion for the
19termination of his parental rights, present evidence relevant to the issue of
20disposition, or make alternative dispositional recommendations.
AB630,41 21Section 41 . 48.42 (4) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,17,2322 48.42 (4) (title) Manner of serving summons and petition or motion to
23terminate parental rights
.
AB630,42 24Section 42 . 48.42 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,18,7
148.42 (4) (a) Personal service. Except as provided in this paragraph, par. (b),
2and sub. (2g) (ag), a copy of the summons and petition or motion to terminate
3parental rights
shall be served personally upon the parties specified in sub. (2), if
4known, at least 7 days before the date of the hearing. Service of summons is not
5required if the party submits to the jurisdiction of the court. Service upon parties
6who are not natural persons and upon persons under a disability shall be as
7prescribed in s. 801.11.
AB630,43 8Section 43 . 48.42 (4) (b) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,18,129 48.42 (4) (b) 3. At the time the petition or motion to terminate parental rights
10is filed, the petitioner or movant may move the court for an order waiving the
11requirement of constructive notice to a person who, although his identity is
12unknown, may be the father of a nonmarital child.
AB630,44 13Section 44 . 48.42 (4) (b) 4. (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,19,214 48.42 (4) (b) 4. (intro.) A notice published under this subsection shall be
15published as a class 1 notice under ch. 985. In determining which newspaper is likely
16to give notice as required under s. 985.02 (1), the petitioner, movant, or court shall
17consider the residence of the party, if known, or the residence of the relatives of the
18party, if known, or the last-known location of the party. If the party's post-office
19address is known or can, with due diligence, be ascertained, a copy of the summons
20and petition or motion to terminate parental rights shall be mailed to the party upon
21or immediately prior to the first publication. The mailing may be omitted if the
22petitioner or movant shows that the post-office address cannot be obtained with due
23diligence. Except as provided in subd. 5., the notice shall include the date, place and
24circuit court branch for the hearing, the court file number, the name, address and
25telephone number of the petitioner's or movant's attorney and information the court

1determines to be necessary to give effective notice to the party or parties. Such
2information shall include the following, if known:
AB630,45 3Section 45 . 48.422 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,19,5 448.422 (title) Hearing on the petition or motion to terminate parental
5rights
.
AB630,46 6Section 46 . 48.422 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,19,117 48.422 (1) Except as provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), the hearing on the petition
8or motion to terminate parental rights shall be held within 30 days after the petition
9or motion is filed. At the hearing on the petition or motion to terminate parental
10rights the court shall determine whether any party wishes to contest the petition or
11motion
and inform the parties of their rights under sub. (4) and s. 48.423.
AB630,47 12Section 47 . 48.422 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,19,1713 48.422 (2) Except as provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), if the petition or motion to
14terminate parental rights
is contested the court shall set a date for a fact-finding
15hearing to be held within 45 days after the hearing on the petition or motion, unless
16all of the necessary parties agree to commence with the hearing on the merits
17immediately.
AB630,48 18Section 48 . 48.422 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,19,2119 48.422 (3) If the petition or motion to terminate parental rights is not contested
20the court shall hear testimony in support of the allegations in the petition or motion,
21including testimony as required in sub. (7).
AB630,49 22Section 49 . 48.422 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,20,223 48.422 (4) Any party who is necessary to the proceeding or whose rights may
24be affected by an order terminating parental rights shall be granted a jury trial upon

1request if the request is made before the end of the initial hearing on the petition or
2motion to terminate parental rights
.
AB630,50 3Section 50 . 48.422 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,20,134 48.422 (6) (b) If the court determines that an unknown person may be the
5father of the child and notice to that person has not been waived under s. 48.42 (4)
6(b) 3., the court shall determine whether constructive notice will substantially
7increase the likelihood of notice to that person. If the court does determine that it
8would substantially increase the likelihood of notice and the petitioner or movant
9has not already caused the notice to be published or the court determines that the
10publication used was not sufficient, the court shall adjourn the hearing for a period
11not to exceed 30 days and shall order constructive notice under s. 48.42 (4) (b). If the
12court determines that constructive notice will not substantially increase the
13likelihood of notice to that person, the court shall order that the hearing proceed.
AB630,51 14Section 51 . 48.422 (7) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,20,1615 48.422 (7) (intro.) Before accepting an admission of the alleged facts in a
16petition or motion to terminate parental rights, the court shall:
AB630,52 17Section 52 . 48.422 (7) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,20,2018 48.422 (7) (a) Address the parties present and determine that the admission
19is made voluntarily with understanding of the nature of the acts alleged in the
20petition or motion to terminate parental rights and the potential dispositions.
AB630,53 21Section 53 . 48.422 (7) (bm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,21,1422 48.422 (7) (bm) Establish whether a proposed adoptive parent of the child has
23been identified. If a proposed adoptive parent of the child has been identified and
24the proposed adoptive parent is not a relative of the child, the court shall order the
25petitioner or movant to submit a report to the court containing the information

1specified in s. 48.913 (7). The court shall review the report to determine whether any
2payments or agreement to make payments set forth in the report are coercive to the
3birth parent of the child or to an alleged to presumed father of the child or are
4impermissible under s. 48.913 (4). Making any payment to or on behalf of the birth
5parent of the child, an alleged or presumed father of the child or the child conditional
6in any part upon transfer or surrender of the child or the termination of parental
7rights or the finalization of the adoption creates a rebuttable presumption of
8coercion. Upon a finding of coercion, the court shall dismiss the petition or motion
9to terminate parental rights
or amend the agreement to delete any coercive
10conditions, if the parties agree to the amendment. Upon a finding that payments
11which are impermissible under s. 48.913 (4) have been made, the court may dismiss
12the petition and may refer the matter to the district attorney for prosecution under
13s. 948.24 (1). This paragraph does not apply if the petition or motion was filed with
14a petition for adoptive placement under s. 48.837 (2).
AB630,54 15Section 54 . 48.422 (7) (br) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,21,1916 48.422 (7) (br) Establish whether any person has coerced a birth parent or any
17alleged or presumed father of the child in violation of s. 48.63 (3) (b) 5. Upon a finding
18of coercion, the court shall dismiss the petition or motion to terminate parental
19rights
.
AB630,55 20Section 55 . 48.422 (8) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,21,2521 48.422 (8) If the petition or motion for termination of parental rights is filed
22by an agency enumerated in s. 48.069 (1) or (2), the court shall order the agency to
23file a report with the court as provided in s. 48.425 (1), except that, if the child is an
24Indian child, the court may order the agency or request the tribal child welfare
25department of the Indian child's tribe to file that report.
AB630,56
1Section 56. 48.422 (9) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,22,62 48.422 (9) (a) If a petition or motion for termination of the rights of a birth
3parent, as defined under s. 48.432 (1) (am), is filed by a person other than an agency
4enumerated under s. 48.069 (1) or (2) or if the court waives the report required under
5s. 48.425, the court shall order any parent whose rights may be terminated to file
6with the court the information specified under s. 48.425 (1) (am).
AB630,57 7Section 57 . 48.423 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,22,148 48.423 (2) Rights of out-of-state fathers. (intro.) A person who may be the
9father of a nonmarital child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently
10intermarry under s. 767.803 and whose paternity has not been established may
11contest the petition or motion to terminate parental rights, present evidence relevant
12to the issue of disposition, and make alternative dispositional recommendations if
13the person appears at the hearing, establishes paternity under sub. (1), and proves
14all of the following by a preponderance of the evidence:
AB630,58 15Section 58 . 48.424 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,22,1816 48.424 (1) (intro.) The purpose of the fact-finding hearing is to determine in
17cases in which the petition or motion was contested at the hearing on the petition or
18motion to terminate parental rights
under s. 48.422 all of the following:
AB630,59 19Section 59 . 48.424 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,23,220 48.424 (4) (intro.) If grounds for the termination of parental rights are found
21by the court or jury, the court shall find the parent unfit. A finding of unfitness shall
22not preclude a dismissal of a petition or motion to terminate parental rights under
23s. 48.427 (2). Except as provided in s. 48.23 (2) (b) 3., the court shall then proceed
24immediately to hear evidence and motions related to the dispositions enumerated in
25s. 48.427. Except as provided in s. 48.42 (2g) (ag), the court may delay making the

1disposition and set a date for a dispositional hearing no later than 45 days after the
2fact-finding hearing if any of the following apply:
AB630,60 3Section 60 . 48.424 (4) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,23,94 48.424 (4) (b) The court has not yet received a report to the court on the history
5of the child as provided in s. 48.425 and the court now orders an agency enumerated
6in s. 48.069 (1) or (2) to file that report with the court, or, in the case of an Indian child,
7now orders that agency or requests the tribal child welfare department of the Indian
8child's tribe to file such a report, before the court makes the disposition on the
9petition or motion to terminate parental rights.
AB630,61 10Section 61 . 48.425 (1) (am) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,23,1311 48.425 (1) (am) 2. A report of any medical examination which either birth
12parent had within one year before the date of the petition or motion to terminate
13parental rights
.
AB630,62 14Section 62 . 48.425 (1) (cm) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,23,2215 48.425 (1) (cm) If the petition or motion is seeking the involuntary termination
16of parental rights to an Indian child, specific information showing that continued
17custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious
18emotional or physical damage to the child under s. 48.028 (4) (e) 1. and, if the Indian
19child has previously been adjudged to be in need of protection or services, specific
20information showing that active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (e) 2. have been made to
21prevent the breakup of the Indian child's family and that those efforts have proved
22unsuccessful.
AB630,63 23Section 63 . 48.425 (1m) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,24,3
148.425 (1m) The agency required under sub. (1) to file the report shall prepare
2the medical record within 60 days after the date of the petition or motion for the
3termination of parental rights.
AB630,64 4Section 64 . 48.425 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,24,75 48.425 (3) The court may order a report as specified under this section to be
6prepared by an agency in those cases where the petition or motion to terminate
7parental rights
is filed by someone other than an agency.
AB630,65 8Section 65 . 48.427 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,24,119 48.427 (2) The court may dismiss the petition or motion to terminate parental
10rights
if it finds that the evidence does not warrant the termination of parental
11rights.
AB630,66 12Section 66 . 48.43 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,24,1813 48.43 (1) (intro.) The court shall enter a judgment setting forth its findings and
14disposition in accordance with s. 48.426 in an order implementing the disposition
15chosen. If the court dismisses the petition or motion to terminate parental rights
16under s. 48.427 (2), the order shall contain the reasons for dismissal. If the
17disposition is for the termination of parental rights under s. 48.427 (3), the order
18shall contain all of the following:
AB630,67 19Section 67 . 48.46 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,25,1020 48.46 (2) A parent who has consented to the termination of his or her parental
21rights under s. 48.41 or who did not contest the petition or motion initiating the
22proceeding in which his or her parental rights were terminated termination of
23parental rights proceeding
may move the court for relief from the judgment on any
24of the grounds specified in s. 806.07 (1) (a), (b), (c), (d) or (f). Any such motion for relief
25shall be filed within 30 days after the entry of the judgment or order terminating

1parental rights, unless the parent files a timely notice of intent to pursue relief from
2the judgment under s. 808.04 (7m), in which case the motion for relief shall be filed
3within the time permitted by s. 809.107 (5). A motion for relief under this subsection
4does not affect the finality or suspend the operation of the judgment or order
5terminating parental rights. A parent who has consented to the termination of his
6or her parental rights to an Indian child under s. 48.41 (2) (e) may also move for relief
7from the judgment under s. 48.028 (5) (c) or (6). Motions A motion for relief under
8this subsection or s. 48.028 (5) (c) or (6) and appeals to the court of appeals shall be
9the exclusive remedies for such a parent to obtain a new hearing in a termination of
10parental rights proceeding.
AB630,68 11Section 68 . 48.46 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:
AB630,25,1712 48.46 (3) An adoptive parent who has been granted adoption of a child under
13s. 48.91 (3) may not petition the court for a rehearing under sub. (1) or move the court
14under s. 806.07 for relief from the order granting adoption. A petition or motion for
15termination of parental rights under s. 48.42 and an appeal to the court of appeals
16shall be the exclusive remedies for an adoptive parent who wishes to end his or her
17parental relationship with his or her adopted child.
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