Chapter 48

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:

48.355(2)(b)1. 1. The specific services to be provided to the child and family, to the child expectant mother and family, or to the adult expectant mother and, if custody of the child is to be transferred to effect the treatment plan, the identity of the legal custodian.

48.355(2)(b)1m. 1m. A notice that the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the child, if 14 years of age or over, the expectant mother, if 14 years of age or over, or the unborn child’s guardian ad litem may request an agency that is providing care or services for the child or expectant mother or that has legal custody of the child to disclose to, or make available for inspection by, the parent, guardian, legal custodian, child, expectant mother, or unborn child’s guardian ad litem the contents of any record kept or information received by the agency about the child or expectant mother as provided in s. 48.78 (2) (ag) and (aj).

48.355(2)(b)2. 2. If the child is placed outside the home, the name of the place or facility, including transitional placements, where the child will be cared for or treated, except that if the placement is a foster home and if the name and address of the foster parent is not available at the time of the order, the name and address of the foster parent shall be furnished to the court and the parent within 21 days after the order. If, after a hearing on the issue with due notice to the parent or guardian, the judge finds that disclosure of the identity of the foster parent would result in imminent danger to the child or the foster parent, the judge may order the name and address of the prospective foster parents to be withheld from the parent or guardian.

48.355(2)(b)2m. 2m. If the adult expectant mother is placed outside her home, the name of the place or facility, including transitional placements, where the expectant mother shall be treated.

48.355(2)(b)3. 3. The date of the expiration of the court’s order.

48.355(2)(b)4. 4. If the child is placed outside the child’s home, a designation of the amount of support, if any, to be paid by the child’s parent, guardian or trustee, specifying that the support obligation begins on the date of the placement, or a referral to the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) for establishment of child support.

48.355(2)(b)4m. 4m. If the child is placed outside the home and if the child’s parent has not already provided a statement of income, assets, debts and living expenses to the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department under s. 48.30 (6) (b) or (c) or 48.31 (7) (b) or (c), an order for the parent to provide that statement to the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department by a date specified by the court. The county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department shall provide, without charge, to the parent a form on which to provide that statement, and the parent shall provide that statement on that form. The county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department shall use the information provided in the statement to determine whether the department may claim federal foster care and adoption assistance reimbursement under 42 USC 670 to 679a for the cost of providing care for the child.

48.355(2)(b)5. 5. For a child placed outside his or her home pursuant to an order under s. 48.345, a permanency plan under s. 48.38 if one has been prepared.

48.355(2)(b)6. 6. If the child is placed outside the home, a finding that continued placement of the child in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the child, a finding as to whether 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 a court order 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 the court finds that any of the circumstances specified in sub. (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies, and, if a permanency plan has previously been prepared for the child, a finding as to whether 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. The court shall make the findings specified in this subdivision on a case-by-case basis based on circumstances specific to the child and shall document or reference the specific information on which those findings are based in the court order. A court order that merely references this subdivision without documenting or referencing that specific information in the court order or an amended court order that retroactively corrects an earlier court order that does not comply with this subdivision is not sufficient to comply with this subdivision.

48.355(2)(b)6d. 6d. Except as provided in par. (cd), if the child is placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, 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:

48.355(2)(b)6d.a. a. Whether the needs of the child can be met through placement in a foster home.

48.355(2)(b)6d.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.

48.355(2)(b)6d.c. c. Whether the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.

48.355(2)(b)6d.d. d. Whether the court approves or disapproves the placement.

48.355(2)(b)6g. 6g. If the child is placed outside the home under the supervision of the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department, an order ordering the child into 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 primary responsibility for providing services to the child.

48.355(2)(b)6m. 6m. If the child is placed outside the home in a placement recommended by the agency designated under s. 48.33 (1), a statement that the court approves the placement recommended by the agency or, if the child is placed outside the home in a placement other than a placement recommended by that agency, a statement that the court has given bona fide consideration to the recommendations made by the agency and all parties relating to the child’s placement.

48.355(2)(b)6p. 6p. If the child is placed outside the home and if the child has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 48.38 (4) (br) 1., who have also been placed outside the home, a finding as to whether 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 a court 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 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.

48.355(2)(b)6r. 6r. If the court finds that any of the circumstances specified in sub. (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies with respect to a parent, a determination that the county department, department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or agency primarily responsible for providing services under the court order is not required to make reasonable efforts with respect to the parent to make it possible for the child to return safely to his or her home.

48.355(2)(b)6v. 6v. 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 that home, a finding supported by clear and convincing evidence, including the testimony of one or more qualified expert witnesses, 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 child under s. 48.028 (4) (d) 1. and a finding 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. The findings under this subdivision shall be in addition to the findings under subd. 6., except that for the sole purpose of determining whether the cost of providing care for an Indian child is eligible for reimbursement under 42 USC 670 to 679b, the findings under this subdivision and the findings under subd. 6. shall be considered to be the same findings. The findings under this subdivision are not required if they were made in a previous order in the proceeding unless a change in circumstances warrants new findings.

48.355(2)(b)7. 7. A statement of the conditions with which the child or expectant mother is required to comply.

48.355(2)(c) (c) If school attendance is a condition of an order under par. (b) 7., the order shall specify what constitutes a violation of the condition and shall direct the school board of the school district in which the child is enrolled or the governing body of the private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3d), in which the child is enrolled, or shall request the governing body of the tribal school in which the child is enrolled, to notify the county department that is responsible for supervising the child or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department within 5 days after any violation of the condition by the child.

48.355(2)(cd) (cd) If the results of the standardized assessment and recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment are required but not available at the time of the order, the court shall defer making the findings under par. (b) 6d. as provided in this paragraph. No later than 60 days after the date on which the placement was made, the court shall issue an order making the findings under par. (b) 6d.

48.355(2)(cm) (cm)

48.355(2)(cm)1. 1. Subject to subd. 2., the court shall order 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 to conduct a diligent search in order to locate and provide notice of the information specified in s. 48.21 (5) (e) 2. a. to e. to all relatives of the child named under s. 48.335 (6) and to all adult relatives, as defined in s. 48.21 (5) (e) 1., of the child within 30 days after the child is removed from the custody of the child’s parent unless the child is returned to his or her home within that period. The court may also order the county department, department, or agency to conduct a diligent search in order to locate and provide notice of that information to all other adult individuals named under s. 48.335 (6) within 30 days after the child is removed from the custody of the child’s parent unless the child is returned to his or her home within that period. The county department, department, or agency may not provide that notice to a person named under s. 48.335 (6) or to an adult relative if the county department, department, or agency has reason to believe that it would be dangerous to the child or to the parent if the child were placed with that person or adult relative.

48.355(2)(cm)2. 2. Subdivision 1. does not apply if the search required under subd. 1. was previously conducted and the notice required under subd. 1. was previously provided under s. 48.21 (5) (e) 2.

48.355(2)(d) (d) The court shall provide a copy of a dispositional order relating to a child in need of protection or services to the child’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or trustee, to the child through the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem, to the child’s court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child who has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian and placed outside that home, to the Indian child’s Indian custodian and tribe. The court shall provide a copy of a dispositional order relating to an unborn child in need of protection or services to the expectant mother, to the unborn child’s guardian ad litem, to the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or trustee of a child expectant mother, and, if the expectant mother is an Indian child, to the expectant mother’s Indian custodian and tribe.

48.355(2b) (2b) Concurrent planning.

48.355(2b)(a) (a) In this subsection, “concurrent planning” means appropriate efforts to work simultaneously towards achieving more than one of the permanency goals listed in s. 48.38 (4) (fg) 1. to 5. for a child who is placed in out-of-home care and for whom a permanency plan is required under s. 48.38 (2).

48.355(2b)(b) (b) A county department, the department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to a child under a court order shall determine, in accordance with standards established by the department, whether to engage in concurrent planning. If, according to those standards, concurrent planning is required, the county department, department, or agency shall engage in concurrent planning unless the court or permanency review panel determines under s. 48.38 (5) (c) 5m. that concurrent planning is inappropriate.

48.355(2c) (2c) Reasonable efforts standards.

48.355(2c)(a) (a) When a court makes a finding under sub. (2) (b) 6. as to whether 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 a court order has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the child from his or her home, while assuring that the child’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, the court’s consideration of reasonable efforts shall include, but not be limited to, whether:

48.355(2c)(a)1. 1. A comprehensive assessment of the family’s situation was completed, including a determination of the likelihood of protecting the child’s health, safety and welfare effectively in the home.

48.355(2c)(a)2. 2. Financial assistance, if applicable, was provided to the family.

48.355(2c)(a)3. 3. Services were offered or provided to the family, if applicable, and whether any assistance was provided to the family to enable the family to utilize the services. Examples of the types of services that may have been offered include:

48.355(2c)(a)3.a. a. In-home support services, such as homemakers and parent aides.

48.355(2c)(a)3.b. b. In-home intensive treatment services.

48.355(2c)(a)3.c. c. Community support services, such as child care, parent skills training, housing assistance, employment training, and emergency mental health services.

48.355(2c)(a)3.d. d. Specialized services for family members with special needs.

48.355(2c)(a)4. 4. Monitoring of client progress and client participation in services was provided.

48.355(2c)(a)5. 5. A consideration of alternative ways of addressing the family’s needs was provided, if services did not exist or existing services were not available to the family.

48.355(2c)(b) (b) When a court makes a finding under sub. (2) (b) 6. as to whether 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 under a court order has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency goal of the permanency plan, the court’s consideration of reasonable efforts shall include the considerations listed under par. (a) 1. to 5. and whether visitation schedules between the child and his or her parents were implemented, unless visitation was denied or limited by the court.

48.355(2d) (2d) Reasonable efforts not required.

48.355(2d)(a) (a) In this subsection:

48.355(2d)(a)1. 1. “Aggravated circumstances” include abandonment in violation of s. 948.20 or in violation of the law of any other state or federal law if that violation would be a violation of s. 948.20 if committed in this state, torture, chronic abuse and sexual abuse.

48.355(2d)(a)2. 2. “Sexual abuse” means any of the following:

48.355(2d)(a)2.a. a. A violation of s. 940.225, 944.30 (1m), 948.02, 948.025, 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.085, 948.09 or 948.10.

48.355(2d)(a)2.b. b. A violation of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies.

48.355(2d)(a)2.c. c. A violation of the law of any other state or federal law if that violation would be a violation listed under subd. 2. a. or b. if committed in this state.

48.355(2d)(b) (b) Notwithstanding sub. (2) (b) 6., the court is not required to include in a dispositional order a finding as to whether 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 a court order has made reasonable efforts with respect to a parent of a child to prevent the removal of the child from the home, while assuring that the child’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, or a finding as to whether the county department, department, or agency has made reasonable efforts with respect to a parent of a child to achieve the permanency goal of returning the child safely to his or her home, if the court finds any of the following:

48.355(2d)(b)1. 1. That the parent has subjected the child to aggravated circumstances, as evidenced by a final judgment of conviction.

48.355(2d)(b)2. 2. That the parent has committed, has aided or abetted the commission of, or has solicited, conspired, or attempted to commit, a violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, or 940.05 or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of s. 940.01, 940.02, 940.03, or 940.05 if committed in this state, as evidenced by a final judgment of conviction, and that the victim of that violation is a child of the parent.

48.355(2d)(b)3. 3. That the parent has committed a violation of s. 940.19 (3), 1999 stats., a violation of s. 940.19 (2), (4), or (5), 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a), (3) (a), or (5) (a) 1., 2., or 3., or 948.085 or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of s. 940.19 (2), (4), or (5), 940.225 (1) or (2), 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) (a), (3) (a), or (5) (a) 1., 2., or 3., or 948.085 if committed in this state, as evidenced by a final judgment of conviction, and that the violation resulted in great bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (14), or in substantial bodily harm, as defined in s. 939.22 (38), to the child or another child of the parent.

48.355(2d)(b)3m. 3m. That the parent has committed a violation of s. 948.051 or a violation of the law of any other state or federal law, if that violation would be a violation of s. 948.051 if committed in this state, as evidenced by a final judgment of conviction, and that the victim of that violation is a child of the parent.

48.355(2d)(b)4. 4. That the parental rights of the parent to another child have been involuntarily terminated, as evidenced by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction terminating those parental rights.

48.355(2d)(b)5. 5. That the parent has been found under s. 48.13 (2m) to have relinquished custody of the child under s. 48.195 (1m) when the child was 72 hours old or younger, as evidenced by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction making that finding.

48.355(2d)(bm) (bm) The court shall make a finding specified in par. (b) 1. to 5. on a case-by-case basis based on circumstances specific to the child and shall document or reference the specific information on which that finding is based in the dispositional order. A dispositional order that merely references par. (b) 1. to 5. without documenting or referencing that specific information in the dispositional order or an amended dispositional order that retroactively corrects an earlier dispositional order that does not comply with this paragraph is not sufficient to comply with this paragraph.

48.355(2d)(c) (c) If the court finds that any of the circumstances specified in par. (b) 1. to 5. applies with respect to a parent, the court shall hold a hearing under s. 48.38 (4m) within 30 days after the date of that finding to determine the permanency goal and, if applicable, any concurrent permanency goals for the child.

48.355(2d)(d) (d) This subsection does not affect the requirement under sub. (2) (b) 6v. that the court include in a dispositional order removing an Indian child from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian and placing the child outside that home a finding 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.

48.355(2e) (2e) Permanency plans; filing; amended orders; copies.

48.355(2e)(a) (a) If a permanency plan has not been prepared at the time the dispositional order is entered, or if the court orders a disposition that is not consistent with the permanency plan, the agency responsible for preparing the plan shall prepare a permanency plan that is consistent with the order or revise the permanency plan to conform to the order and shall file the plan with the court within the time specified in s. 48.38 (3). A permanency plan filed under this paragraph shall be made a part of the dispositional order.

48.355(2e)(b) (b) Each time a child’s placement is changed under s. 48.32 or 48.357, a trial reunification is ordered under s. 48.358, a consent decree is revised under s. 48.32, or a dispositional order is revised under s. 48.363 or extended under s. 48.365, the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall revise the plan to conform to the order and shall file a copy of the revised plan with the court. Each plan filed under this paragraph shall be made a part of the court order.

48.355(2e)(c) (c) Either the court or the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall furnish a copy of the original plan and each revised plan to the child’s parent or guardian, to the child or the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem, to the child’s court-appointed special advocate and to the person representing the interests of the public.

48.355(2m) (2m) Transitional placements. The court order may include the name of transitional placements, but may not designate a specific time when transitions are to take place. The procedures of ss. 48.357 and 48.363 shall govern when such transitions take place. However, the court may place specific time limitations on interim arrangements made for the care of the child or for the treatment of the expectant mother pending the availability of the dispositional placement.

48.355(3) (3) Parental visitation.

48.355(3)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), if, after a hearing on the issue with due notice to the parent or guardian, the court finds that it would be in the best interest of the child, the court may set reasonable rules of parental visitation.

48.355(3)(b) (b)

48.355(3)(b)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the court may not grant visitation under par. (a) to a parent of a child if the parent 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 the child’s other parent, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside or vacated.

48.355(3)(b)1m. 1m. Except as provided in subd. 2., if a parent who is granted visitation rights with a child under par. (a) is convicted under s. 940.01 of the first-degree intentional homicide, or under s. 940.05 of the 2nd-degree intentional homicide, of the child’s other parent, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside or vacated, the court shall issue an order prohibiting the parent from having visitation with the child on petition of the child, the guardian or legal custodian of the child, a person or agency bound by the dispositional order or the district attorney or corporation counsel of the county in which the dispositional order was entered, or on the court’s own motion, and on notice to the parent.

48.355(3)(b)2. 2. Subdivisions 1. and 1m. do not apply if the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the visitation would be in the best interests of the child. The court shall consider the wishes of the child in making that determination.

48.355(4) (4) Termination of orders.

48.355(4)(a) (a) Except as provided under s. 48.368, an order under this section or s. 48.357 or 48.365 made before the child attains 18 years of age that places or continues the placement of the child in his or her home shall terminate one year after the date on which the order is granted unless the judge specifies a shorter period of time or the judge terminates the order sooner.

48.355(4)(b) (b) 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:

Effective date note NOTE: Par. (b) (intro.) is shown as amended by 2023 Wis. Act 119 eff. 7-1-25 or on the date specified in the Department of Children and Families notice published in the Wisconsin Administrative Register under 2023 Wis. Act 119, section 122 (1), whichever is earlier. Prior to that date par. (b) (intro.) reads:

Effective date text (b) 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, 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: