AB43: Bill Text

AB43,,2012 (a) Prior to the child’s placement in out-of-home care, the person had an existing relationship with the child or the child’s family that is similar to a familial relationship.

AB43,,2013 (b) During the child’s placement in out-of-home care, the person developed a relationship with the child or the child’s family that is similar to a familial relationship, and the person is not and has not previously been the child’s licensed foster parent.

AB43,,2014 (c) For an Indian child, “like-kin” includes individuals identified by the child’s tribe according to tribal tradition, custom or resolution, code, or law.

AB43,821 Section 821. 48.02 (13) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2016 48.02 (13) “Parent” means a biological natural parent, a husband who has consented to the artificial insemination of his wife under s. 891.40, or a parent by adoption. If the child is a nonmarital child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under s. 767.803, “parent” includes a person conclusively determined from genetic test results to be the father under s. 767.804 or, a person acknowledged under s. 767.805 or a substantially similar law of another state to be a natural parent, or a person adjudicated to be the biological father a natural parent. “Parent” does not include any person whose parental rights have been terminated. For purposes of the application of s. 48.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, “parent” means a biological natural parent of an Indian child, an Indian husband spouse who has consented to the artificial insemination of his wife or her spouse under s. 891.40, or an Indian person who has lawfully adopted an Indian child, including an adoption under tribal law or custom, and includes, in the case of a nonmarital Indian child who is not adopted or whose parents do not subsequently intermarry under s. 767.803, a person conclusively determined from genetic test results to be the father under s. 767.804, a person acknowledged under s. 767.805, a substantially similar law of another state, or tribal law or custom to be the biological father natural parent, or a person adjudicated to be the biological father natural parent, but does not include any person whose parental rights have been terminated.

AB43,822 Section 822. 48.02 (15) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2018 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.

AB43,823 Section 823. 48.025 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2020 48.025 (title) Declaration of paternal parental interest in matters affecting children.

AB43,824 Section 824. 48.025 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2022 48.025 (2) (b) A declaration under sub. (1) may be filed at any time before the birth of the child or within 14 days after the birth of the child, except that a man person who receives a notice under s. 48.42 (1g) (b) may file a declaration within 21 days after the date on which the notice was mailed. This paragraph does not apply to a declaration filed before July 1, 2006.

AB43,825 Section 825. 48.025 (3) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2024 48.025 (3) (c) A court in a proceeding under s. 48.13, 48.133, 48.14, or 938.13 or under a substantially similar law of another state or a person authorized to file a petition under s. 48.25, 48.42, 48.837, or 938.25 or under a substantially similar law of another state may request the department to search its files to determine whether a person who may be the father parent of the child who is the subject of the proceeding has filed a declaration under this section. If the department has on file a declaration of paternal parental interest in matters affecting the child, the department shall issue to the requester a copy of the declaration. If the department does not have on file a declaration of paternal parental interest in matters affecting the child, the department shall issue to the requester a statement that no declaration could be located. The department may require a person who requests a search under this paragraph to pay a reasonable fee that is sufficient to defray the costs to the department of maintaining its file of declarations and publicizing information relating to declarations of paternal parental interest under this section.

AB43,826 Section 826. 48.028 (2) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2026 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.

AB43,827 Section 827. 48.028 (2) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2028 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).

AB43,828 Section 828. 48.207 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2030 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.

AB43,829 Section 829. 48.207 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2032 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.

AB43,830 Section 830. 48.233 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2034 48.233 (2) This section does not apply to a proceeding commenced under s. 48.13 after June 30, 2023 2025.

AB43,831 Section 831. 48.233 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2036 48.233 (3) The state public defender may promulgate rules necessary to implement the pilot program established under sub. (1). The state public defender may promulgate the rules under this subsection as emergency rules under s. 227.24. Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (a) and (3), the state public defender is not required to provide evidence that promulgating a rule under this subsection as an emergency rule is necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, safety, or welfare and is not required to provide a finding of emergency for a rule promulgated under this subsection. Notwithstanding s. 227.24 (1) (c) and (2), emergency rules promulgated under this subsection remain in effect until 2 4 years after June 30, 2021.

AB43,832 Section 832. 48.233 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2038 48.233 (4) By January 1, 2021, and by January 1, 2023 2025, the department and the state public defender shall each submit a report to the joint committee on finance, and to the chief clerk of each house of the legislature for distribution to the appropriate standing committees under s. 13.172 (3), regarding costs and data from implementing the pilot program under sub. (1).

AB43,833 Section 833. 48.27 (3) (b) 1. a. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2040 48.27 (3) (b) 1. a. A person who has filed a declaration of paternal parental interest under s. 48.025.

AB43,834 Section 834. 48.27 (3) (b) 1. b. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2042 48.27 (3) (b) 1. b. A person alleged to the court to be the father a parent of the child or who may, based on the statements of the mother parent who gave birth to the child or other information presented to the court, be the father a parent of the child.

AB43,835 Section 835. 48.27 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2044 48.27 (5) Subject to sub. (3) (b), the court shall make every reasonable effort to identify and notify any person who has filed a declaration of paternal parental interest under s. 48.025, any person conclusively determined from genetic test results to be the father under s. 767.804 (1), any person who has acknowledged paternity parentage of the child under s. 767.805 (1), and any person who has been adjudged to be the father parent of the child in a judicial proceeding unless the person’s parental rights have been terminated.

AB43,836 Section 836. 48.299 (6) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2046 48.299 (6) (intro.) If a man person who has been given notice under s. 48.27 (3) (b) 1., 48.977 (4) (c) 1., 48.978 (2) (c) 1., or 48.9795 (4) (c) 1. appears at any hearing for which he or she received the notice, alleges that he or she is the father a parent of the child, and states that he or she wishes to establish the paternity parentage of the child, all of the following apply:

AB43,837 Section 837. 48.299 (6) (e) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2048 48.299 (6) (e) 1. In this paragraph, “genetic test” means a test that examines genetic markers present on blood cells, skin cells, tissue cells, bodily fluid cells or cells of another body material for the purpose of determining the statistical probability that a man person who is alleged to be a child’s father parent is the child’s biological father parent.

AB43,838 Section 838. 48.299 (6) (e) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2050 48.299 (6) (e) 2. The court shall, at the hearing, orally inform any man person specified in sub. (6) (intro.) that he or she may be required to pay for any testing ordered by the court under this paragraph or under s. 885.23.

AB43,839 Section 839. 48.299 (6) (e) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2052 48.299 (6) (e) 3. In addition to ordering testing as provided under s. 885.23, if the court determines that it would be in the best interests of the child, the court may order any man person specified in sub. (6) (intro.) to submit to one or more genetic tests which shall be performed by an expert qualified as an examiner of genetic markers present on the cells and of the specific body material to be used for the tests, as appointed by the court. A report completed and certified by the court-appointed expert stating genetic test results and the statistical probability that the man person alleged to be the child’s father parent is the child’s biological father parent based upon the genetic tests is admissible as evidence without expert testimony and may be entered into the record at any hearing. The court, upon request by a party, may order that independent tests be performed by other experts qualified as examiners of genetic markers present on the cells of the specific body materials to be used for the tests.

AB43,840 Section 840. 48.299 (6) (e) 4. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2054 48.299 (6) (e) 4. If the genetic tests show that an alleged father parent is not excluded and that the statistical probability that the alleged father parent is the child’s biological father parent is 99.0 percent or higher, the court may determine that for purposes of a proceeding under this chapter, other than a proceeding under subch. VIII, the man person is the child’s biological parent.

AB43,841 Section 841. 48.299 (7) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2056 48.299 (7) If a man person who has been given notice under s. 48.27 (3) (b) 1., 48.977 (4) (c) 1., 48.978 (2) (c) 1., or 48.9795 (4) (c) 1. appears at any hearing for which he or she received the notice but does not allege that he or she is the father a parent of the child and state that he or she wishes to establish the paternity parentage of the child or if no man person to whom such notice was given appears at a hearing, the court may refer the matter to the state or to the attorney responsible for support enforcement under s. 59.53 (6) (a) for a determination, under s. 767.80, of whether an action should be brought for the purpose of determining the paternity parentage of the child.

AB43,842 Section 842. 48.33 (4) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2058 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:

AB43,843 Section 843. 48.335 (3g) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2060 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:

AB43,844 Section 844. 48.335 (3j) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2062 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:

AB43,845 Section 845. 48.345 (3) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2064 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):

AB43,846 Section 846. 48.345 (3) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2066 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.

AB43,847 Section 847. 48.345 (3) (a) 2. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2068 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.

AB43,848 Section 848. 48.345 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2070 48.345 (4) (a) A relative or like-kin of the child.

AB43,849 Section 849. 48.355 (4) (b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2072 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:

AB43,850 Section 850. 48.355 (4g) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2074 48.355 (4g) (a) 1. The child’s parents are parties to a pending action for divorce, annulment, or legal separation, a man person determined under s. 48.299 (6) (e) 4. to be the biological father parent of the child for purposes of a proceeding under this chapter is a party to a pending action to determine paternity of the child under ch. 767, or the child is the subject of a pending independent action under s. 767.41 or 767.43 to determine legal custody of the child or visitation rights with respect to the child.

AB43,851 Section 851. 48.366 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2076 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.

AB43,852 Section 852. 48.371 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2078 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:

AB43,853 Section 853. 48.371 (1) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2080 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).

AB43,854 Section 854. 48.371 (3) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2082 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:

AB43,855 Section 855. 48.371 (3) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2084 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.

AB43,856 Section 856. 48.371 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2086 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.

AB43,857 Section 857. 48.38 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2088 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:

AB43,858 Section 858. 48.38 (3m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2090 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) (b), in this paragraph, “like-kin” may include a person who is or previously was the child’s licensed foster parent.

AB43,859 Section 859. 48.38 (4) (f) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2092 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:

AB43,860 Section 860. 48.38 (4m) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2094 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.

AB43,861 Section 861. 48.38 (4m) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2096 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.

AB43,862 Section 862. 48.38 (5) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2098 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.

AB43,863 Section 863. 48.38 (5) (bm) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB43,,2100 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.