Chapter 48

48.213(6) (6) Informal disposition. If the judge or circuit court commissioner determines that the best interests of the unborn child and the public are served, the judge or circuit court commissioner may enter a consent decree under s. 48.32 or order the petition dismissed and refer the matter to the intake worker for informal disposition in accordance with s. 48.245.

48.213 History History: 1997 a. 292; 2001 a. 61; 2013 a. 170; 2015 a. 373; 2017 a. 253.

48.215 48.215 Mother-young child care program. Sections 48.19 to 48.21 do not apply to children participating in the mother-young child care program under s. 301.049.

48.215 History History: 1991 a. 39.

48.217 48.217 Change in placement; child or expectant mother held in custody.

48.217(1) (1) Request by intake worker, agency responsible for custody order, or prosecutor.

48.217(1)(a) (a) Applicable procedures.

48.217(1)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the intake worker, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order under s. 48.21 (4) or 48.213 (3), the district attorney, or the corporation counsel may request a change in the placement of the child or expectant mother who is the subject of the order as provided in this subsection, whether or not the change requested is authorized in the order.

48.217(1)(a)2. 2. A change in the placement of a child from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.21 (6). A change in the placement of an adult expectant mother from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.213 (5).

48.217(1)(b) (b) Notice; information required.

48.217(1)(b)1. 1.

48.217(1)(b)1.a. a. The intake worker, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order, the district attorney, or the corporation counsel may request a change in placement under this subsection by causing written notice of the proposed change in placement to be sent to the child, the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian or Indian custodian of the child, any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, and the child’s court-appointed special advocate.

48.217(1)(b)1.b. b. If the child is the expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, written notice of the proposed change in placement shall also be sent to the unborn child’s guardian ad litem. If the change in placement involves an adult expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, written notice of the proposed change in placement shall be sent to the adult expectant mother, the physical custodian of the adult expectant mother, and the unborn child’s guardian ad litem.

48.217(1)(b)2. 2. The notice shall contain the name and address of the new placement, the reasons for the change in placement, whether the new placement is certified under s. 48.675, and a statement describing why the new placement is preferable to the present placement. The person sending the notice shall file the notice with the court on the same day that the notice is sent.

48.217(1)(b)3. 3. If the proposed change in placement would place the child in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the qualified individual shall conduct a standardized assessment and the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including all of the following, to the court and all persons who are required to receive the notice under subd. 1. a. no later than the filing of that notice or, if not available by that time, and except as provided under subd. 4., no later than 10 days after the notice is filed:

48.217(1)(b)3.a. a. Whether the proposed placement will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment.

48.217(1)(b)3.b. b. How the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.

48.217(1)(b)3.c. c. The reasons why the child’s needs can or cannot be met by the child’s family or in a foster home. A shortage or lack of foster homes is not an acceptable reason for determining that the child’s needs cannot be met in a foster home.

48.217(1)(b)3.d. d. The placement preference of the family permanency team under s. 48.38 (3m) and, if that preference is not the placement recommended by the qualified individual, why that recommended placement is not preferred.

48.217(1)(b)4. 4. If, for good cause shown, the information required to be submitted under subd. 3. is not available by the deadline under that subdivision, the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement is made.

48.217(1)(c) (c) Hearing; when required. Any person receiving the notice under par. (b), other than a court-appointed special advocate, may obtain a hearing on the matter by filing an objection with the court within 10 days after the notice is sent to that person and filed with the court. Except as provided in par. (d), if an objection is filed within 10 days after that notice is sent and filed with the court, the court shall hold a hearing prior to ordering any change in placement. At least 3 days before the hearing, the court shall provide notice of the hearing to all persons who are required to receive notice under par. (b). If all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing. Except as provided in par. (d), if no objection is filed within 10 days after that notice is sent and filed with the court, the court shall enter an order changing the child’s placement as proposed in that notice. Except as provided in par. (d), placements may not be changed until 10 days after that notice is sent and filed with the court unless written waivers of objection are signed as follows:

48.217(1)(c)1. 1. By the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian of the child and by the child, if 12 years of age or over.

48.217(1)(c)2. 2. By the child expectant mother, if 12 years of age or over, her parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian, and the unborn child’s guardian ad litem.

48.217(1)(c)3. 3. By the adult expectant mother and the unborn child’s guardian ad litem.

48.217(1)(d) (d) When hearing not required. Changes in placement that were authorized in the temporary physical custody order may be made immediately if notice is given as required under par. (b). A hearing is not required for changes in placement authorized in the temporary physical custody order except when an objection filed by a person who received notice alleges that new information is available that affects the advisability of the order.

48.217(1)(e) (e) Contents of order. If the court changes a child’s placement from a placement outside the home to another placement outside the home, the change-in-placement order shall contain the applicable order under sub. (2v) (a), the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (b), and the finding under sub. (2v) (c).

48.217(2) (2) Emergency change in placement.

48.217(2)(a) (a) If emergency conditions necessitate an immediate change in the placement of a child or expectant mother placed outside the home under a temporary physical custody order under s. 48.21 (4) or 48.213 (3), the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under the order may remove the child or expectant mother to a new placement, whether or not authorized by the existing order, without the prior notice under sub. (1) (b). Notice of the emergency change in placement shall be sent to the persons specified in sub. (1) (b) 1. within 48 hours after the emergency change in placement. Any party receiving notice may demand a hearing under sub. (1) (c). In emergency situations, a child may be placed in a licensed public or private shelter care facility as a transitional placement for not more than 20 days or in any other placement authorized under s. 48.207, 48.208, or 48.209.

48.217(2)(b) (b)

48.217(2)(b)1. 1. If the emergency change in placement under par. (a) results in a child being placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the qualified individual shall conduct a standardized assessment and the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information specified under sub. (1) (b) 3., with the notice under par. (a) or, if not available at that time, and except as provided under subd. 2., no later than 10 days after the filing of that notice.

48.217(2)(b)2. 2. If, for good cause shown, the information required to be submitted under subd. 1. is not available by the deadline under that subdivision, the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.

48.217(2)(c) (c) If the emergency change in placement under par. (a) results in a child being placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the court shall, no later than 60 days after the placement is made, issue an order making all of the findings required under sub. (2v) (d) 1., the answers to which do not affect whether the placement may be made, after considering the standardized assessment and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment.

48.217(2m) (2m) Request by others.

48.217(2m)(a) (a) Request; information required.

48.217(2m)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the child, the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem, the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian of the child, the expectant mother, or the unborn child’s guardian ad litem may request a change in the placement of the child or expectant mother who is the subject of the order as provided in this subsection. The request shall contain the name and address of the new placement requested and shall state what new information is available that affects the advisability of the current placement. The request shall be submitted to the court. The court may also propose a change in placement on its own motion.

48.217(2m)(a)2. 2. A change in the placement of a child from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.21 (6). A change in the placement of an adult expectant mother from a placement in the home to a placement outside the home may only be made as provided in s. 48.213 (5).

48.217(2m)(b) (b) Hearing; when required.

48.217(2m)(b)1. 1. The court shall hold a hearing prior to ordering any change in placement requested or proposed under par. (a) if the request or proposal states that new information is available that affects the advisability of the current placement. A hearing is not required if written waivers of objection to the proposed change in placement are signed by all persons entitled to receive notice under subd. 2., other than a court-appointed special advocate, and the court approves.

48.217(2m)(b)2. 2. If a hearing is scheduled, at least 3 days before the hearing the court shall notify the child, the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian or Indian custodian of the child, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, the district attorney or corporation counsel, any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, and the child’s court-appointed special advocate. If the child is the expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, the court shall also notify the unborn child’s guardian ad litem. If the change in placement involves an adult expectant mother of an unborn child under s. 48.133, at least 3 days before the hearing the court shall notify the adult expectant mother, the unborn child’s guardian ad litem, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, and the district attorney or corporation counsel. A copy of the request or proposal for the change in placement shall be attached to the notice. If all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing.

48.217(2m)(b)3. 3. If the change in placement results in a child being placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the qualified individual shall conduct a standardized assessment and the intake worker or agency primarily responsible for providing services under a temporary physical custody order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information under sub. (1) (b) 3., to the court and to all persons who are required to receive the notice under subd. 2., no later than the hearing or, if not available by that time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement is made.

48.217(2m)(c) (c) Contents of order.

48.217(2m)(c)1. 1. If the court changes the child’s placement from a placement outside the home to another placement outside the home, the change-in-placement order shall contain the applicable order under sub. (2v) (a), the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (b), and the finding under sub. (2v) (c).

48.217(2m)(c)2. 2. Except as provided in subd. 3., if the court changes the placement to a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the change-in-placement order shall contain the findings under sub. (2v) (d) 1., the answers to which do not affect whether the placement may be made, after considering the standardized assessment and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment.

48.217(2m)(c)3. 3. If the results of the standardized assessment and recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment are not available at the time of the order, the court shall defer making the findings under sub. (2v) (d) 1. as provided in this subdivision. No later than 60 days after the date on which the placement was made, the court shall issue an order making the findings under sub. (2v) (d) 1.

48.217(2r) (2r) Removal from foster home or other physical custodian. If a hearing is held under sub. (1) (c) or (2m) (b) and the change in placement would remove a child from a foster home or other placement with a physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), the court shall give the foster parent or other physical custodian a right to be heard at the hearing by permitting the foster parent or other physical custodian to make a written or oral statement during the hearing or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing relating to the child and the requested change in placement. A foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) who receives notice of a hearing under sub. (1) (c) or (2m) (b) and a right to be heard under this subsection 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.

48.217(2v) (2v) Change-in-placement order. A change-in-placement order under sub. (1) or (2m) shall contain all of the following:

48.217(2v)(a) (a) If the change-in-placement order changes the placement of a child who is under the supervision of the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department to a placement outside the home, an order ordering the child to be continued in the placement and care responsibility of the county department or department as required under 42 USC 672 (a) (2) and assigning the county department or department continued primary responsibility for providing services to the child.

48.217(2v)(b) (b) If the change-in-placement order changes the placement of the child to a placement outside the home recommended by the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, a statement that the court approves the placement recommended by that agency or, if the change-in-placement order changes the placement of the child to a placement outside the home that is not a placement recommended by that agency, a statement that the court has given bona fide consideration to the recommendations made by that agency and all parties relating to the child’s placement.

48.217(2v)(c) (c) If the change-in-placement order changes the placement of the child to a placement outside the home and if the child has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been placed outside the home or for whom a change in placement to a placement outside the home is requested, a finding as to whether the intake worker, the county department, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order has made reasonable efforts to place the child in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the court determines that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings, in which case the court shall order the intake worker, county department, department, or agency to make reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the child and the siblings, unless the court determines that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings.

48.217(2v)(d) (d)

48.217(2v)(d)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., if the court changes the placement to a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, the change-in-placement order shall contain a finding as to each of the following, the answers to which do not affect whether the placement may be made, after considering the standardized assessment and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment:

48.217(2v)(d)1.a. a. Whether the needs of the child can be met through placement in a foster home.

48.217(2v)(d)1.b. b. Whether placement of the child in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675 provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment.

48.217(2v)(d)1.c. c. Whether the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.

48.217(2v)(d)1.d. d. Whether the court approves or disapproves the placement.

48.217(2v)(d)2. 2. If the results of the standardized assessment and recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment are not available at the time of the order, the court shall defer making the findings under subd. 1. as provided in this subdivision. No later than 60 days after the date on which the placement was made, the court shall issue an order making the findings under subd. 1.

48.217(3) (3) Prohibited placements based on homicide of parent.

48.217(3)(a) (a) Prohibition. Except as provided in par. (c), the court may not change a child’s placement to a placement in the home of a person who has been convicted of the homicide of a parent of the child under s. 940.01 or 940.05, if the conviction has not been reversed, set aside, or vacated.

48.217(3)(b) (b) Change in placement required. Except as provided in par. (c), if a parent in whose home a child is placed is convicted of the homicide of the child’s other parent under s. 940.01 or 940.05, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside, or vacated, the court shall change the child’s placement to a placement outside the home of the parent on petition of the child, the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem, the guardian or legal custodian of the child, the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the temporary physical custody order, or the district attorney or corporation counsel of the county in which that order was entered, or on the court’s own motion, and on notice to the parent.

48.217(3)(c) (c) Exception. Paragraphs (a) and (b) do not apply if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would be in the best interests of the child. The court shall consider the wishes of the child in making that determination.

48.217(4) (4) Expectant mother; placement outside the home. The court may not change the placement of an expectant mother of an unborn child alleged to be in need of protection or services from a placement in the expectant mother’s home to a placement outside of the expectant mother’s home unless the court finds that the expectant mother is refusing or has refused to accept any alcohol or other drug abuse services offered to her or is not making or has not made a good faith effort to participate in any alcohol or other drug abuse services offered to her.

48.217(6) (6) Effective period of order. A change-in-placement order under this section remains in effect until a dispositional order is granted or a consent decree is entered into, the petition under s. 48.25 is withdrawn or dismissed, or the order is modified or terminated by further order of the court.

48.217 History History: 2015 a. 373; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2021 a. 42; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

48.227 48.227 Runaway homes.

48.227(1) (1) Nothing contained in this section prohibits a home licensed under s. 48.48 or 48.75 from providing housing and services to a runaway child with the consent of the child and the consent of the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian, under the supervision of a county department, a child welfare agency or the department. When the parent, guardian or legal custodian and the child both consent to the provision of these services and the child has not been taken into custody, no hearing as described in this section is required.

48.227(2) (2) Any person who operates a home under sub. (1) and licensed under s. 48.48 or 48.75, when engaged in sheltering a runaway child without the consent of the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian, shall notify the intake worker of the presence of the child in the home within 12 hours. The intake worker shall notify the parent, guardian and legal custodian as soon as possible of the child’s presence in that home. A hearing shall be held under sub. (4). The child shall not be removed from the home except with the approval of the court under sub. (4). This subsection does not prohibit the parent, guardian or legal custodian from conferring with the child or the person operating the home.

48.227(3) (3) For runaway children who have been taken into custody and then released, the judge may, with the agreement of the persons operating the homes, designate homes licensed under ss. 48.48 and 48.75 as places for the temporary care and housing of such children. If the parent, guardian or legal custodian refuses to consent, the person taking the child into custody or the intake worker may release the child to one of the homes designated under this section; however, a hearing shall be held under sub. (4). The child shall not be removed from the home except with the approval of the court under sub. (4). This subsection does not prohibit the parent, guardian, or legal custodian from conferring with the child or the person operating the home.

48.227(4) (4) 

48.227(4)(a) (a) If the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian does not consent to the temporary care and housing of the child at the runaway home as provided under sub. (2) or (3), a hearing shall be held on the issue by the judge or a circuit court commissioner within 24 hours of the time that the child entered the runaway home, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. The intake worker shall notify the child and the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian of the time, place and purpose of the hearing.

48.227(4)(b) (b) If, in addition to jurisdiction under par. (c), the court has jurisdiction over the child under ss. 48.13 to 48.14, excluding s. 48.14 (8), or under ss. 938.12 to 938.14, a hearing may be held under s. 48.21 or 938.21.

48.227(4)(c) (c) For the purposes of this section, the court has jurisdiction over a runaway child only to the extent that it may hold the hearings and make the orders provided in this section.

48.227(4)(d) (d) At the hearing, the child, the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian and a representative of the runaway home may present evidence, cross-examine and confront witnesses and be represented by counsel or guardian ad litem.

48.227(4)(e) (e) At the conclusion of the hearing, the court may order:

48.227(4)(e)1. 1. That the child be released to his or her parent, guardian or legal custodian; or

48.227(4)(e)2. 2. That, with the consent of the child and the runaway home, the child remain in the care of the runaway home for a period of not more than 20 days. Without further proceedings, the child shall be released whenever the child indicates, either by statement or conduct, that he or she wishes to leave the home or whenever the runaway home withdraws its consent. During this time period not to exceed 20 days ordered by the court, the child’s parent, guardian or legal custodian may not remove the child from the home but may confer with the child or with the person operating the home. If, at the conclusion of the time period ordered by the court the child has not left the home, and no petition concerning the child has been filed under s. 48.13, 48.133, 938.12 or 938.13, the child shall be released from the home. If a petition concerning the child has been filed under s. 48.13, 48.133, 938.12 or 938.13, the child may be held in temporary physical custody under ss. 48.20 to 48.21 or 938.20 to 938.21.

48.227(5) (5) No person operating an approved or licensed home in compliance with this section is subject to civil or criminal liability by virtue of false imprisonment.

48.227 History History: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300; 1985 a. 176; 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 292; 2001 a. 61.

48.23 48.23 Right to counsel.

48.23(1g) (1g) Definition. In this section, “counsel” means an attorney acting as adversary counsel who shall advance and protect the legal rights of the party represented, and who may not act as guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate for any party in the same proceeding.

48.23(1m) (1m) Right of children to legal representation. Children subject to proceedings under this chapter shall be afforded legal representation as follows:

48.23(1m)(a) (a) Any child held in a juvenile detention facility shall be represented by counsel at all stages of the proceedings, but a child 15 years of age or older may waive counsel if the court is satisfied that the waiver is knowingly and voluntarily made and the court accepts the waiver.

48.23(1m)(b) (b)

48.23(1m)(b)1. 1. If a child is alleged to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13, the child may be represented by counsel at the discretion of the court. Except as provided in subd. 2., a child 15 years of age or older may waive counsel if the court is satisfied such waiver is knowingly and voluntarily made and the court accepts the waiver.

48.23(1m)(b)2. 2. If the petition is contested, the court may not place the child outside his or her home unless the child is represented by counsel at the fact-finding hearing and subsequent proceedings. If the petition is not contested, the court may not place the child outside his or her home unless the child is represented by counsel at the hearing at which the placement is made. For a child under 12 years of age, the judge may appoint a guardian ad litem instead of counsel.

48.23(1m)(c) (c) Any child subject to the jurisdiction of the court under s. 48.14 (5) shall be represented by counsel. No waiver of counsel may be accepted by the court.

48.23(1m)(cm) (cm) Any minor who is subject to the jurisdiction of the circuit court under s. 48.16 and who is required to appear in court shall be represented by counsel.

48.23(2) (2) Right of parent to counsel.

48.23(2)(a) (a) Except as provided in sub. (2g), a minor parent petitioning for a voluntary termination of parental rights shall be represented by a guardian ad litem.

48.23(2)(b) (b) In a proceeding involving a contested adoption or an involuntary termination of parental rights, any parent who appears before the court shall be represented by counsel, except as follows: