Chapter 48

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.

48.345(15) (15) If it appears that an unborn child in need of protection or services may be born during the period of the dispositional order, the judge may order that the child, when born, be provided with any services or care that may be ordered for a child in need of protection or services under this section.

48.345 History History: 1971 c. 125; 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300; 1987 a. 285; 1989 a. 31, 107; 1993 a. 363, 377, 385, 491; 1995 a. 27; 1995 a. 77 ss. 235 to 237, 239, 241, 249, 250, 257 to 263; 1995 a. 225, 448; 1997 a. 27, 80, 164, 292; 1999 a. 9, 149; 2001 a. 59, 69; 2005 a. 25, 387; 2009 a. 28, 94, 185, 302, 334; 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 172; 2019 a. 9; 2021 a. 72, 239; 2023 a. 119, 224; s. 13.92 (2) (i).

48.347 48.347 Disposition of unborn child of adult expectant mother adjudged in need of protection or services. If the judge finds that the unborn child of an adult 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 adult expectant mother of an unborn child not specifically found under ch. 51, 54, or 55 to be developmentally disabled or mentally ill in a facility that exclusively treats those categories of individuals, and the court may not place any adult expectant mother of an unborn child in need of protection or services outside of the adult expectant mother’s home unless the court finds that the adult 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. If the judge finds 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 s. 48.345 under a care and treatment plan. The dispositions under this section are as follows:

48.347(1) (1) Counseling. Counsel the adult expectant mother.

48.347(2) (2) Supervision. Place the adult expectant mother under supervision of the county department, the department, if the department approves, or a suitable adult, including an adult relative or friend of the adult expectant mother, under conditions prescribed by the judge including reasonable rules for the adult expectant mother’s conduct, designed for the physical well-being of the unborn child. An order under this paragraph may include an order to participate in mental health treatment, anger management, individual or family counseling or prenatal development training or education and to make a reasonable contribution, based on ability to pay, for the cost of those services.

48.347(3) (3) Placement. Designate one of the following as the placement for the adult expectant mother:

48.347(3)(a) (a) The home of an adult relative or friend of the adult expectant mother.

48.347(3)(b) (b) A community-based residential facility, as defined in s. 50.01 (1g).

48.347(4) (4) Special treatment or care.

48.347(4)(a) (a) If the adult expectant mother 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 adult expectant mother to obtain the special treatment or care. If the adult expectant mother fails or is financially unable to obtain the special treatment or care, the judge may order an appropriate agency to provide the special treatment or care. 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.

48.347(4)(b) (b) Payment for any 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.

48.347(4)(c) (c) Payment for any 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.

48.347(5) (5) Alcohol or drug treatment or education.

48.347(5)(a) (a) If the report prepared under s. 48.33 (1) recommends that the adult expectant mother 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 adult expectant mother 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 adult expectant mother, report to the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the adult expectant mother as to whether the adult expectant mother is cooperating with the treatment and whether the treatment appears to be effective.

48.347(5)(b) (b) If the report prepared under s. 48.33 (1) recommends that the adult expectant mother is in need of education relating to the use of alcohol beverages, controlled substances or controlled substance analogs, the court may order the adult expectant mother 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 adult expectant mother, report to the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the adult expectant mother about the adult expectant mother’s attendance at the program.

48.347(5)(c) (c) Payment for any treatment or education ordered 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.

48.347(6) (6) Inpatient alcohol or drug treatment.

48.347(6)(a) (a) If, based on an evaluation under s. 48.295 and the report under s. 48.33, the judge finds that the adult expectant mother 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 adult expectant mother’s needs and that inpatient treatment is the least restrictive treatment consistent with the adult expectant mother’s needs, the judge may order the adult 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 adult expectant mother, report to the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the adult expectant mother as to whether the adult expectant mother is cooperating with the treatment and whether the treatment appears to be effective.

48.347(6)(b) (b) Payment for any treatment ordered under par. (a) shall be in accordance with s. 48.361.

48.347(7) (7) Services for child when born. If it appears that the unborn child may be born during the period of the dispositional order, the judge may order that the child, when born, be provided any services or care that may be ordered for a child in need of protection or services under s. 48.345.

48.347 History History: 1997 a. 292; 2005 a. 387; 2015 a. 172.

48.35 48.35 Effect of judgment and disposition.

48.35(1) (1) 

48.35(1)(a) (a) The judge shall enter a judgment setting forth his or her findings and disposition in the proceeding.

48.35(1)(b) (b) The disposition of a child or an unborn child, and any record of evidence given in a hearing in court, shall not be admissible as evidence against the child or the expectant mother of the unborn child in any case or proceeding in any other court except for the following:

48.35(1)(b)1. 1. In sentencing proceedings after the child or expectant mother has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor and then only for the purpose of a presentence investigation.

48.35(1)(b)2. 2. In a proceeding in any court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 938.

48.35(1)(b)3. 3. In a court of civil or criminal jurisdiction while it is exercising jurisdiction over an action affecting the family and is considering the custody of a child.

48.35(2) (2) Except as specifically provided in sub. (1), this section does not preclude the court from disclosing information to qualified persons if the court considers the disclosure to be in the best interests of the child or unborn child or of the administration of justice.

48.35 History History: 1971 c. 213 s. 5; 1973 c. 328; 1975 c. 39; 1977 c. 29; 1977 c. 354 ss. 59, 63; 1977 c. 447, 449; 1979 c. 32, 300, 331, 359; 1985 a. 321; 1987 a. 222; 1995 a. 27, 77; 1997 a. 205, 292.

48.355 48.355 Dispositional orders.

48.355(1) (1) Intent. In any order under s. 48.345 or 48.347 the judge shall decide on a placement and treatment finding based on evidence submitted to the judge. The disposition shall employ those means necessary to maintain and protect the well-being of the child or unborn child which are the least restrictive of the rights of the parent and child, of the rights of the parent and child expectant mother or of the rights of the adult expectant mother, and which assure the care, treatment or rehabilitation of the child and the family, of the child expectant mother, the unborn child and the family or of the adult expectant mother and the unborn child, consistent with the protection of the public. When appropriate, and, in cases of child abuse or neglect or unborn child abuse, when it is consistent with the best interest of the child or unborn child in terms of physical safety and physical health, the family unit shall be preserved and there shall be a policy of transferring custody of a child from the parent or of placing an expectant mother outside of her home only when there is no less drastic alternative. If there is no less drastic alternative for a child than transferring custody from the parent, the judge shall consider transferring custody to a relative whenever possible.

48.355(2) (2) Content of order; copy to parent.

48.355(2)(a) (a) In addition to the order, the judge shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law based on the evidence presented to the judge to support the disposition ordered, including findings as to the condition and need for special treatment or care of the child or expectant mother if an examination or assessment was conducted under s. 48.295. A finding may not include a finding that a child or an expectant mother is in need of psychotropic medications.

48.355(2)(b) (b) The court order shall be in writing and shall contain: