Chapter 48

48.33(4)(c) (c) Specific information showing that continued placement of the child in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the child, specific information showing that the county department, the department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the child from the home, while assuring that the child’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, unless any of the circumstances specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies, and, if a permanency plan has previously been prepared for the child, specific information showing that the county department, department, or agency has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency goal of the child’s permanency plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement.

48.33(4)(cm) (cm) A statement indicating whether the recommended placement is certified under s. 48.675.

48.33(4)(cr) (cr)

48.33(4)(cr)1. 1. If the report recommends placement of a child in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, except as provided in subd. 2., the report shall contain the results of the standardized assessment and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including all of the following:

48.33(4)(cr)1.a. a. Whether the proposed placement will provide the child with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment.

48.33(4)(cr)1.b. b. How the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.

48.33(4)(cr)1.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.

48.33(4)(cr)1.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.

48.33(4)(cr)2. 2. If the information under subd. 1. is not available at the time of the report, the agency shall submit it by the date of the dispositional hearing or, if it is not available on that date, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.

48.33(4)(d) (d)

48.33(4)(d)1. 1. If the child has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been removed from the home or for whom an out-of-home placement is recommended, specific information showing that the county department, department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to place the child in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the county department, department, or agency recommends that the child and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, in which case the report shall include specific information showing that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings and the specific information required under subd. 2.

48.33(4)(d)2. 2. If a recommendation is made that the child and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, specific information showing that the county department, department, or agency has made reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the child and the siblings, unless the county department, department, or agency recommends that such visitation or interaction not be provided, in which case the report shall include specific information showing that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings.

48.33(4)(dm) (dm) If the agency knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child who is being removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, a description of any efforts undertaken to determine whether the child is an Indian child; specific information showing that continued custody of the child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 1.; specific information showing that active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 2. have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian child’s family and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful; a statement as to whether the out-of-home care placement recommended is in compliance with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c); and, if the recommended placement is not in compliance with that order, specific information showing good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

48.33(4m) (4m) Support recommendations; information to parents. In making a recommendation for an amount of child support under sub. (4), the agency shall consider the factors that the court considers under s. 49.345 (14) (c) for deviation from the percentage standard. Prior to the dispositional hearing under s. 48.335, the agency shall provide the child’s parent with all of the following:

48.33(4m)(a) (a) A copy of its recommendation for child support.

48.33(4m)(b) (b) A written explanation of how the parent may request that the court modify the amount of child support under s. 49.345 (14) (c).

48.33(4m)(c) (c) A written explanation of how the parent may request a revision under s. 48.363 in the amount of child support ordered by the court under s. 48.355 (2) (b) 4.

48.33(5) (5) Identity of foster parent; confidentiality. If the report recommends placement in a foster home, and the name of the foster parent is not available at the time the report is filed, the agency shall provide the court and the child’s parent or guardian with the name and address of the foster parent within 21 days after the dispositional order is entered, except that the court may order the information withheld from the child’s parent or guardian if the court finds that disclosure would result in imminent danger to the child or to the foster parent. After notifying the child’s parent or guardian, the court shall hold a hearing prior to ordering the information withheld.

48.33 History History: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300; 1983 a. 399; 1987 a. 27, 339; 1989 a. 31, 41, 107; 1993 a. 377, 385, 446, 481; 1995 a. 27, 77, 201; 1997 a. 27, 292; 2001 a. 59, 109; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 79, 94, 185, 334; 2011 a. 181, 258; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 165, 334; 2015 a. 172; 2021 a. 42; 2023 a. 119.

48.335 48.335 Dispositional hearings.

48.335(1) (1) The court shall conduct a hearing to determine the disposition of a case in which a child is adjudged to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 or an unborn child is adjudged to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.133.

48.335(3) (3) At hearings under this section, any party may present evidence relevant to the issue of disposition, including expert testimony, and may make alternative dispositional recommendations.

48.335(3g) (3g) 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:

48.335(3g)(a) (a) That continued placement of the child in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the child.

48.335(3g)(b) (b) That the county department, the department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the child from the home, while assuring that the child’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, unless any of the circumstances specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies.

48.335(3g)(c) (c) That, if a permanency plan has previously been prepared for the child, the county department, department, or agency has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency goal of the child’s permanency plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement.

48.335(3g)(d) (d)

48.335(3g)(d)1. 1. If the child has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been removed from the home or for whom an out-of-home placement is recommended, that the county department, department, or agency has made reasonable efforts to place the child in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the county department, department, or agency recommends that the child and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, in which case the county department, department, or agency shall present as evidence specific information showing that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings and the specific information required under subd. 2.

48.335(3g)(d)2. 2. If a recommendation is made that the child and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, that the county department, department, or agency has made reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the child and the siblings, unless the county department, department, or agency recommends that such visitation or interaction not be provided, in which case the county department, department, or agency shall present as evidence specific information showing that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the child or any of those siblings.

48.335(3j) (3j) 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:

48.335(3j)(a) (a) That continued custody of the Indian child by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian child under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 1.

48.335(3j)(b) (b) That active efforts under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 2. have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian child’s family and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful.

48.335(3j)(c) (c) That the placement recommended is in compliance with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c) or, if that placement is not in compliance with that order, good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

48.335(3r) (3r) At hearings under this section, a parent of the child may present evidence relevant to the amount of child support to be paid by either or both parents.

48.335(4) (4) At hearings under this section, s. 48.357, 48.358, 48.363, or 48.365, on the request of any party, unless good cause to the contrary is shown, the court may admit testimony on the record by telephone or live audiovisual means, if available, under s. 807.13 (2). The request and the showing of good cause may be made by telephone.

48.335(5) (5) At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall make a dispositional order in accordance with s. 48.355.

48.335(6) (6) If the dispositional order places the child outside the home, the parent, if present at the hearing, shall be requested to provide the names and other identifying information of 3 relatives of the child or other individuals 18 years of age or over whose homes the parent requests the court to consider as placements for the child, unless that information has previously been provided under s. 48.21 (3) (f). If the parent does not provide that information at the hearing, the county department, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under the dispositional order shall permit the parent to provide the information at a later date.

48.335 History History: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300, 331, 359; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1993 a. 98, 481; 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 252, 292; 2001 a. 109; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 79, 94, 185; 2011 a. 181, 258; 2013 a. 165, 334; 2015 a. 172; 2023 a. 119.

48.335 Note Judicial Council Note, 1988: Sub. (4) allows the court to admit testimony on the record by telephone or live television at hearings on disposition, revision and extension of orders, or change of placement, on request of any party, unless good cause is shown. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1988]

48.335 Annotation The petitioner bears the burden of proof by the greater weight of the credible evidence for purposes of dispositional and extension hearings. S.D.S. v. Rock County Department of Social Services, 152 Wis. 2d 345, 448 N.W.2d 282 (Ct. App. 1989).

48.345 48.345 Disposition of child or unborn child of child expectant mother adjudged in need of protection or services. If the judge finds that the child is in need of protection or services or that the unborn child of a child expectant mother is in need of protection or services, the judge shall enter an order deciding one or more of the dispositions of the case as provided in this section under a care and treatment plan, except that the order may not place any child not specifically found under chs. 46, 49, 51, 54, or 115 to be developmentally disabled, mentally ill, or to have a disability specified in s. 115.76 (5) in facilities that exclusively treat those categories of children, and the court may not place any child expectant mother of an unborn child in need of protection or services outside of the child expectant mother’s home unless the court finds that the child 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. The dispositions under this section are as follows:

48.345(1) (1) Counsel the child or the parent, guardian or legal custodian.

48.345(2) (2) Place the child under supervision of an agency, the department, if the department approves, or a suitable adult, including a friend of the child, under conditions prescribed by the judge including reasonable rules for the child’s conduct, designed for the physical, mental and moral well-being and behavior of the child and, if applicable, for the physical well-being of the child’s unborn child.

48.345(2m) (2m) Place the child in the child’s home under the supervision of an agency or the department, if the department approves, and order the agency or department to provide specified services to the child and the child’s family, which may include individual, family, or group counseling, homemaker or parent aide services, respite care, housing assistance, child care, parent skills training, or prenatal development training or education.

48.345(2r) (2r) Place the child as provided in sub. (2) or (2m) and, in addition, request a court-appointed special advocate program to designate a court-appointed special advocate for the child to perform the activities specified in s. 48.236 (3) that are authorized in the memorandum of understanding under s. 48.07 (5) (a). A court-appointed special advocate designated under this subsection shall have the authority specified in s. 48.236 (4) that is authorized in the memorandum of understanding under s. 48.07 (5) (a).

48.345(3) (3) Subject to sub. (3m), designate one of the following as the placement for the child:

48.345(3)(a) (a) The home of a parent, 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):

48.345(3)(a)1. 1. The home of a parent, other relative, or like-kin if the parent, 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.

48.345(3)(a)2. 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, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.

48.345 Note NOTE: Par. (a) is shown as amended by 2023 Wis. Acts 119 and 224 and as merged by the legislative reference bureau under s. 13.92 (2) (i).

48.345(3)(b) (b) The home of a person who is not required to be licensed if placement is for less than 30 days, 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):

48.345(3)(b)1. 1. The home of a person who is not required to be licensed if the person 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.

48.345(3)(b)2. 2. The home of a person who is not required to be licensed if the judge finds that the person 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, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.

48.345(3)(c) (c) A foster home licensed under s. 48.62, a group home licensed under s. 48.625, a foster home, group home, or similar facility regulated in another state, or the home of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2).

48.345(3)(cm) (cm) A group home described in s. 48.625 (1m) or a similar facility regulated in another state, if the child is at least 12 years of age, is a custodial parent, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (b), or an expectant mother, is receiving inadequate care, and is in need of a safe and structured living arrangement.

48.345(3)(d) (d) A residential care center for children and youth operated by a child welfare agency licensed under s. 48.60, or a similar facility regulated in another state.

48.345(3)(e) (e) With a parent in a qualifying residential family-based treatment facility, or a similar facility regulated in another state, if the child’s permanency plan includes a recommendation for such a placement under s. 48.38 (4) (em) before the placement is made.

48.345(3m) (3m) Subject to s. 48.028 (7) (c), if the child is an Indian child who is being removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian and placed outside of that home, designate one of the placements listed in s. 48.028 (7) (b) 1. to 4. as the placement for the Indian child, in the order of preference listed, unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

48.345(4) (4) If it is shown that the rehabilitation or the treatment and care of the child cannot be accomplished by means of voluntary consent of the parent or guardian, transfer legal custody to any of the following:

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

48.345(4)(b) (b) The county department in a county having a population of less than 750,000.

48.345(4)(bm) (bm) The department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more.

48.345(4)(c) (c) A licensed child welfare agency.

48.345(6) (6) 

48.345(6)(a) (a) If the child is in need of special treatment or care, as identified in an evaluation under s. 48.295 and the report under s. 48.33, the judge may order the child’s parent to provide the special treatment or care. If the parent fails or is financially unable to provide the special treatment or care, the judge may order an appropriate agency to provide the special treatment or care whether or not legal custody has been taken from the parents. If a judge orders a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 to provide special treatment or care under this paragraph, the provision of that special treatment or care shall be subject to conditions specified in ch. 51. An order of special treatment or care under this paragraph may not include an order for the administration of psychotropic drugs.

48.345(6)(b) (b) Payment for the special treatment or care that relates to alcohol and other drug abuse services ordered under par. (a) shall be in accordance with s. 48.361.

48.345(6)(c) (c) Payment for services provided under ch. 51 that are ordered under par. (a), other than alcohol and other drug abuse services, shall be in accordance with s. 48.362.

48.345(6m) (6m) If the report prepared under s. 48.33 (1) recommends that the child is in need of a coordinated services plan of care and if an initiative under s. 46.56 has been established for the county or, for a child who is a member of a tribe, as defined in s. 46.56 (1) (q), for a tribe, the judge may order an assessment of the child and the child’s family for eligibility for and appropriateness of the initiative, and if eligible for enrollment in the initiative, that a coordinated services plan of care be developed and implemented.

48.345(10) (10) 

48.345(10)(a) (a) The judge may order that a child, on attaining 17 years of age, be allowed to live independently, either alone or with friends, under such supervision as the judge deems appropriate.

48.345(10)(b) (b) If the plan for independent living cannot be accomplished with the consent of the parent or guardian, the judge may transfer custody of the child as provided in sub. (4) (a) to (c).

48.345(10)(c) (c) The judge may order independent living as a dispositional alternative only upon a showing that the child is of sufficient maturity and judgment to live independently and only upon proof of a reasonable plan for supervision by an appropriate person or agency.

48.345(12) (12) 

48.345(12)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (d), the judge may order the child to attend any of the following:

48.345(12)(a)1. 1. A nonresidential educational program, including a program for children at risk under s. 118.153, provided by the school district in which the child resides.

48.345(12)(a)2. 2. Pursuant to a contractual agreement with the school district in which the child resides, a nonresidential educational program provided by a licensed child welfare agency.

48.345(12)(a)3. 3. Pursuant to a contractual agreement with the school district in which the child resides, an educational program provided by a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian agency that is located in the school district in which the child resides and that complies with 42 USC 2000d.

48.345(12)(a)4. 4. Pursuant to a contractual agreement with the school district in which the child resides, an educational program provided by a technical college district located in the school district in which the child resides.

48.345(12)(a)5. 5. Pursuant to a contractual agreement with the school district in which the child resides, an educational program provided by a tribal school.

48.345(12)(b) (b) The judge shall order the school board to disclose the child’s pupil records, as defined under s. 118.125 (1) (d), to the county department, department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or licensed child welfare agency responsible for supervising the child, as necessary to determine the child’s compliance with the order under par. (a).

48.345(12)(c) (c) The judge shall order the county department, department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or licensed child welfare agency responsible for supervising the child to disclose to the school board, technical college district board, tribal school, or private, nonprofit, nonsectarian agency which is providing an educational program under par. (a) 3. records or information about the child, as necessary to assure the provision of appropriate educational services under par. (a).

48.345(12)(d) (d) This subsection does not apply to a child with a disability, as defined under s. 115.76 (5).

48.345(13) (13) 

48.345(13)(a) (a) If the report prepared under s. 48.33 (1) recommends that the child is in need of treatment for the use or abuse of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs and its medical, personal, family or social effects, the court may order the child to enter an outpatient alcohol and other drug abuse treatment program at an approved treatment facility. The approved treatment facility shall, under the terms of a service agreement between the approved treatment facility and the county in a county having a population of less than 750,000 or the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or with the written informed consent of the child or the child’s parent if the child has not attained the age of 12, report to the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child as to whether the child is cooperating with the treatment and whether the treatment appears to be effective.

48.345(13)(b) (b) If the report prepared under s. 48.33 (1) recommends that the child is in need of education relating to the use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs, the court may order the child to participate in an alcohol or other drug abuse education program approved by the court. The person or agency that provides the education program shall, under the terms of a service agreement between the education program and the county in a county having a population of less than 750,000 or the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or with the written informed consent of the child or the child’s parent if the child has not attained the age of 12, report to the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child about the child’s attendance at the program.

48.345(13)(c) (c) Payment for the court ordered treatment or education under this subsection in counties that have an alcohol and other drug abuse program under s. 48.547 shall be in accordance with s. 48.361.

48.345(14) (14) 

48.345(14)(a) (a) If, based on an evaluation under s. 48.295 and the report under s. 48.33, the judge finds that the child expectant mother of an unborn child in need of protection or services is in need of inpatient treatment for her habitual lack of self-control in the use of alcohol, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs, exhibited to a severe degree, that inpatient treatment is appropriate for the child expectant mother’s needs and that inpatient treatment is the least restrictive treatment consistent with the child expectant mother’s needs, the judge may order the child expectant mother to enter an inpatient alcohol or other drug abuse treatment program at an inpatient facility, as defined in s. 51.01 (10). The inpatient facility shall, under the terms of a service agreement between the inpatient facility and the county in a county having a population of less than 750,000 or the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or with the written and informed consent of the child expectant mother or the child expectant mother’s parent if the child expectant mother has not attained the age of 12, report to the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child expectant mother as to whether the child expectant mother is cooperating with the treatment and whether the treatment appears to be effective.

48.345(14)(b) (b) Payment for any treatment ordered under par. (a) shall be in accordance with s. 48.361.