Chapter 48

48.357(2)(a)2. 2. If the emergency change in placement under subd. 1. 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 person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information specified under sub. (1) (am) 1m., with the notice under subd. 1. or, if not available at that time, and except as provided under subd. 3., no later than 10 days after the filing of that notice.

48.357(2)(a)3. 3. If, for good cause shown, the information required to be submitted under subd. 2. is not available by the deadline under that subdivision, the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order shall submit it no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.

48.357(2)(a)4. 4. If the emergency change in placement under subd. 1. 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 the findings under sub. (2v) (a) 5., 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.

48.357(2)(b) (b) Emergency in-home to out-of-home placements.

48.357(2)(b)1. 1. If emergency conditions necessitate an immediate change in placement of a child or expectant mother placed in the home to a placement outside the home, the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order may remove the child or expectant mother to a new placement, whether or not authorized by the existing dispositional order, without first requesting a change in placement under sub. (1) (c) 1.

48.357(2)(b)2. 2. Except as provided in subd. 3., a hearing on an emergency change in placement under subd. 1. shall be held within 48 hours after the emergency change in placement is made, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. When a child or expectant mother is removed to a new placement under subd. 1., the person or agency that removed the child or expectant mother shall immediately notify the court by the most practical means. As soon as possible after receiving that notice, the court shall schedule the hearing and the person or agency that removed the child or expectant mother, by the most practical means, shall provide notice of the hearing to the child, the child’s counsel or guardian ad litem, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the child, the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order, the district attorney or corporation counsel, any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2), the child’s court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child, the Indian child’s Indian custodian and tribe.

48.357(2)(b)3. 3. By the time of the hearing under subd. 2., a request for a change in placement under sub. (1) (c) 1. shall be filed with the court. The court shall hold a hearing on the request as provided in sub. (1) (c) 2., except that, subject to sub. (1) (c) 2r., if all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing under sub. (1) (c) 2. in lieu of the hearing under subd. 2.

48.357(2)(b)4. 4. If the court orders an emergency change in placement under subd. 2., the change-in-placement order shall contain the findings under sub. (2v) (a) 1., the applicable order under sub. (2v) (a) 1m., the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (a) 2., the finding under sub. (2v) (a) 2m., and, if in addition the court finds that any of the circumstances under s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies with respect to a parent, the determination under sub. (2v) (a) 3.

48.357(2)(b)5. 5. If the emergency change in placement under this paragraph 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 person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information specified under sub. (1) (am) 1m., to the court and all persons who are required to receive the notice under subd. 2. no later than the filing of that request or, if not available by that time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.

48.357(2)(b)6. 6. If the emergency change in placement under this paragraph 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 the findings under sub. (2v) (a) 5., 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.

48.357(2)(c) (c) Placements permitted in emergency. 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 placement authorized under s. 48.345 (3).

48.357(2m) (2m) Request by others.

48.357(2m)(a) (a) Request; information required.

48.357(2m)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in par. (bv), 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 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. If the proposed change in placement would change the placement of a child placed in the child’s home to a placement outside the child’s home, the request shall also contain specific information showing that continued placement of the child in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child and, unless any of the circumstances under s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies, specific information showing that the agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional 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. The request shall be submitted to the court. The court may also propose a change in placement on its own motion.

48.357(2m)(a)2. 2. If the change in placement results in the 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 person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order shall submit it and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including the information specified under sub. (1) (am) 1m., to the court and to all persons who are required to receive the notice under par. (b) 2., no later than the filing of that request or, if not available by that time, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.

48.357(2m)(am) (am) Indian child; additional information required.

48.357(2m)(am)1. 1. If the proposed change of placement would change the placement of an Indian child placed in the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian to a placement outside that home, a request under par. (a) shall also contain specific information showing 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., 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 new placement 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 new 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.

48.357(2m)(am)2. 2. If the proposed change in placement would change the placement of an Indian child placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian to another placement outside that home, a request under par. (a) shall also contain a statement as to whether the new placement 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 new 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.

48.357(2m)(b) (b) Hearing; when required.

48.357(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. Except as provided in par. (bv), a hearing is not required if the requested or proposed change in placement does not involve a change in placement of a child placed in the child’s home to a placement outside the child’s home, 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.

48.357(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 of the child, the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order, the district attorney or corporation counsel, any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, the child’s court-appointed special advocate, and, if the child is an Indian child, the Indian child’s Indian custodian and tribe. 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 person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional 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. Subject to par. (br), if all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing.

48.357(2m)(bm) (bm) Child placed outside the home. If the court changes the child’s placement from a placement in the child’s home to a placement outside the child’s 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 this paragraph, sub. (1) (c) 2m., or s. 48.21 (3) (f) or 48.335 (6). 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 implementing the dispositional order shall permit the parent to provide the information at a later date.

48.357(2m)(br) (br) Indian child; notice. If the child is an Indian child, and if the proposed change in placement would change the placement of the Indian child from a placement in the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian to a placement outside that home, notice under par. (b) 2. to the Indian child’s parent, Indian custodian, and tribe shall be provided in the manner specified in s. 48.028 (4) (a). Notwithstanding par. (b) 2., no hearing on the request or proposal may be held until at least 10 days after receipt of the notice by the Indian child’s parent, Indian custodian, and tribe or, if the identity or location of the Indian child’s parent, Indian custodian, or tribe cannot be determined, until at least 15 days after receipt of the notice by the U.S. secretary of the interior. On request of the Indian child’s parent, Indian custodian, or tribe, the court shall grant a continuance of up to 20 additional days to enable the requester to prepare for the hearing.

48.357(2m)(bv) (bv) Children subject to certain dispositional orders. If the proposed change in placement involves a child who is subject to a dispositional order that terminates as provided in sub. (6) (a) 4. or s. 48.355 (4) (b) 4. or 48.365 (5) (b) 4., only the child or the child’s guardian on behalf of the child or a person or agency primarily bound by the dispositional order may request a change in placement under par. (a). No hearing is required for a change in placement described in this paragraph if written waivers of objection to the proposed change in placement are signed by the child, the guardian of the child, and all parties that are bound by the dispositional order. If a hearing is scheduled, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing on the consent of the person who requested the change in placement, the child, the guardian of the child, and all parties who are bound by the dispositional order.

48.357(2m)(c) (c) Contents of order.

48.357(2m)(c)1. 1. If the court changes the child’s placement from a placement in the child’s home to a placement outside the child’s home, the change-in-placement order shall contain the findings under sub. (2v) (a) 1., the applicable order under sub. (2v) (a) 1m., the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (a) 2., the finding under sub. (2v) (a) 2m., and, if in addition the court finds that any of the circumstances under s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies with respect to a parent, the determination under sub. (2v) (a) 3. If the court changes the placement of an Indian child from a placement in the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian to a placement outside that home, the change-in-placement order shall, in addition, contain the findings under sub. (2v) (a) 4. and comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

48.357(2m)(c)2. 2. 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) 1m., the applicable statement under sub. (2v) (a) 2., and the finding under sub. (2v) (a) 2m. If the court changes the placement of an Indian child from a placement outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian to another placement outside that home, the change-in-placement order shall, in addition, comply with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b) or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), unless the court finds good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), for departing from that order.

48.357(2r) (2r) Removal from foster home or other physical custodian. If a hearing is held under sub. (1) (am) 2. or (2m) (b) 1. 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) (am) 1. or (2m) (b) 2. 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.

48.357(2v) (2v) Change-in-placement order.

48.357(2v)(a) (a) Contents of order. A change in placement order under sub. (1) or (2m) shall contain all of the following:

48.357(2v)(a)1. 1. If the change-in-placement order changes the child’s placement from a placement in the child’s home to a placement outside the child’s home, a finding that continued placement of the child in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the child and, unless a circumstance specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies, a finding that the county department, department, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional 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.

48.357(2v)(a)1m. 1m. 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 child’s home, whether from a placement in the home or from another placement outside the home, an order ordering the child into, or 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 primary responsibility, or continued primary responsibility, for providing services to the child.

48.357(2v)(a)2. 2. If the change-in-placement order changes the placement of the child to a placement outside the home recommended by the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order, whether from a placement in the home or from another placement outside the home, a statement that the court approves the placement recommended by that person or 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 person or agency, whether from a placement in the home or from another placement outside the home, a statement that the court has given bona fide consideration to the recommendations made by that person or agency and all parties relating to the child’s placement.

48.357(2v)(a)2m. 2m. 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 county department, the department in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, or the agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional 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.

48.357(2v)(a)3. 3. If the court finds that any of the circumstances specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 5. applies with respect to a parent, a determination that the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the change in placement 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. This subdivision does not apply to a child who is subject to a dispositional order that terminates as provided in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 4., 48.357 (6) (a) 4., or 48.365 (5) (b) 4.

48.357(2v)(a)4. 4. If the change in placement order changes an Indian child’s placement from a placement in the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian to a placement 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. 1., 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. 1. 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.

48.357(2v)(a)5. 5. Except as provided in subd. 6., 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:

48.357(2v)(a)5.a. a. Whether the needs of the child can be met through placement in a foster home.

48.357(2v)(a)5.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.

48.357(2v)(a)5.c. c. Whether the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan.

48.357(2v)(a)5.d. d. Whether the court approves or disapproves the placement.

48.357(2v)(a)6. 6. 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. 5. 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. 5.

48.357(2v)(b) (b) Documentation of basis of findings. The court shall make the findings specified in par. (a) 1. and 3. 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 change in placement order. A change in placement order that merely references par. (a) 1. or 3. without documenting or referencing that specific information in the change in placement order or an amended change in placement order that retroactively corrects an earlier change in placement order that does not comply with this paragraph is not sufficient to comply with this paragraph.

48.357(2v)(c) (c) Reasonable efforts not required; permanency hearing. If the court finds under par. (a) 3. that any of the circumstances specified in s. 48.355 (2d) (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.

48.357(2v)(d) (d) Search for relatives.

48.357(2v)(d)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 implementing 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 sub. (1) (c) 2m. or (2m) (bm) 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 sub. (1) (c) 2m. or (2m) (bm) 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 sub. (1) (c) 2m. or (2m) (bm) 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.

48.357(2v)(d)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. or 48.355 (2) (cm) 1.

48.357(4d) (4d) Prohibited placements based on homicide of parent.

48.357(4d)(a) (a) Prohibition. Except as provided in par. (b), 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.

48.357(4d)(am) (am) Change in placement required. Except as provided in par. (b), 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 person or agency primarily responsible for implementing 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.

48.357(4d)(b) (b) Exception. Paragraphs (a) and (am) 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.

48.357(5m) (5m) Child support.

48.357(5m)(a) (a) If a proposed change in placement would change a child’s placement from a placement in the child’s home to a placement outside the child’s home, the court shall order the child’s parent to provide a statement of the income, assets, debts, and living expenses of the child and the child’s parent to the court or the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order by a date specified by the court. The clerk of court shall provide, without charge, to any parent ordered to provide that statement a document setting forth the percentage standard established by the department under s. 49.22 (9) and the manner of its application established by the department under s. 49.345 (14) (g) and listing the factors that a court may consider under s. 49.345 (14) (c). If the child is placed outside the child’s home, the court shall determine the liability of the parent in the manner provided in s. 49.345 (14).

48.357(5m)(b) (b) If the court orders the child’s parent to provide a statement of the income, assets, debts, and living expenses of the child and the child’s parent to the court or if the court orders the child’s parent to provide that statement to the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order and that person or agency is not the county department or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department, the court shall also order the child’s 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.

48.357(5r) (5r) Expectant mother; placement outside the home. The court may not change the placement of an expectant mother of an unborn child 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.

48.357(6) (6) Duration of order.

48.357(6)(a) (a) No change in placement may extend the expiration date of the original dispositional order, except that if the change in placement is from a placement in the child’s home to a placement outside the home the court may extend the expiration date of the original dispositional order to the latest of the following dates, unless the court specifies a shorter period:

48.357(6)(a)1. 1. The date on which the child attains 18 years of age.

48.357(6)(a)2. 2. The date that is one year after the date on which the change-in-placement order is granted.

48.357(6)(a)3. 3. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma or the date on which the child attains 19 years of age, whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and is reasonably expected to complete the program before attaining 19 years of age.

48.357(6)(a)4. 4. The date on which the child is granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma or the date on which the child attains 21 years of age, whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and if an individualized education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for the child. The court may not grant an order that terminates as provided in this subdivision unless the child is 17 years of age or older when the order is granted and the child, or the child’s guardian on behalf of the child, agrees to the order. At any time after the child attains 18 years of age, the child, or the child’s guardian on behalf of the child, may request the court in writing to terminate the order and, on receipt of such a request, the court, without a hearing, shall terminate the order.

48.357(6)(b) (b) If the change in placement is from a placement outside the home to a placement in the child’s home and if the expiration date of the original dispositional order is more than one year after the date on which the change-in-placement order is granted, the court shall shorten the expiration date of the original dispositional order to the date that is one year after the date on which the change-in-placement order is granted or to an earlier date as specified by the court.

48.357 History History: 1977 c. 354; 1979 c. 300; 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 31, 107; 1993 a. 16, 385, 395, 446, 481, 491; 1995 a. 27, 77, 275, 404; 1997 a. 3, 35, 80, 237, 292; 1999 a. 9, 103, 149; 2001 a. 16, 103, 109; 2005 a. 253; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 79, 94; 2011 a. 181; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 170, 334; 2015 a. 172, 195, 373; 2021 a. 42, 239; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

48.357 Annotation A foster parent is entitled to a hearing under s. 48.64 (4) (a) regarding the person’s interest as a foster parent even when placement of the child cannot be affected by the hearing outcome. Bingenheimer v. DHSS, 129 Wis. 2d 100, 383 N.W.2d 898 (1986).

48.357 Annotation In the Best Interest of Children: When Foster Parents May Keep Placement. Neary. Wis. Law. Sept. 2007.

48.358 48.358 Trial reunification.

48.358(1) (1) Definition. In this section:

48.358(1)(a) (a) “Trial reunification” means a period of 7 consecutive days or longer, but not exceeding 150 days, during which a child who is placed in an out-of-home placement under s. 48.355 or 48.357 resides in the home of a relative of the child from which the child was removed or in the home of either of the child’s parents for the purpose of determining the appropriateness of changing the placement of the child to that home.

48.358(1)(b) (b) “Trial reunification home” means the home in which in which a child resides during a trial reunification.

48.358(2) (2) Trial reunification; procedure.

48.358(2)(a) (a) Request or proposal. No trial reunification may occur without a court order. Only the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order may request the court to order a trial reunification. The request shall contain the name and address of the requested trial reunification home, a statement describing why the trial reunification is in the best interests of the child, and a statement describing how the trial reunification satisfies the objectives of the child’s permanency plan. A request for a trial reunification may not be made on the sole grounds that an emergency condition necessitates an immediate removal of the child from his or her out-of-home placement. If an emergency condition necessitates such an immediate removal, the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order shall proceed as provided in s. 48.357 (2) (a).

48.358(2)(b) (b) Notice; information required. The person or agency requesting the trial reunification shall submit the request to the court and shall cause written notice of the requested trial reunification to be sent to the child, the parent, guardian, and legal custodian of the child, any foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) of the child, the child’s court-appointed special advocate, all parties who are bound by the dispositional order, and, if the child is an Indian child who has been removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, the Indian child’s Indian custodian and tribe. The notice shall contain the information that is required to be included in the request under par. (a).

48.358(2)(c) (c) Hearing; when required. Any person who is entitled to receive notice of a requested trial reunification 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 request was filed with the court. If an objection is filed, a hearing shall be held within 30 days after the request was filed with the court. Not less than 3 days before the hearing the person or agency requesting the trial reunification or the court shall provide notice of the hearing to all persons who are entitled to receive notice under par. (b). A copy of the request for the trial reunification shall be attached to the notice. If all of the parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing.

48.358(2)(d) (d) Order. If the court finds that the trial reunification is in the best interests of the child and that the trial reunification satisfies the objectives of the child’s permanency plan, the court shall order the trial reunification. A trial reunification shall terminate 90 days after the date of the order, unless the court specifies a shorter period in the order, extends the trial reunification under sub. (3), or revokes the trial reunification under sub. (4) (c) or (6) (b). No trial reunification order may extend the expiration date of the original dispositional order under s. 48.355 or any extension order under s. 48.365. A trial reunification under this section is not a change in placement under s. 48.357. Unless revoked under sub. (4) (c) or (6) (b), at the end of a trial reunification, the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order shall do one of the following:

48.358(2)(d)1. 1. Return the child to his or her previous out-of-home placement. The person or agency may do so without further order of the court, but within 5 days after the return the person or agency shall provide notice of the date of the return and the address of that placement to all persons who are entitled to receive notice under par. (b).

48.358(2)(d)2. 2. Request a change in placement under s. 48.357 to place the child in a new out-of-home placement.

48.358(2)(d)3. 3. Request a change in placement under s. 48.357 to place the child in the trial reunification home.

48.358(3) (3) Extension of trial reunification.

48.358(3)(a) (a) Extension request. The person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order may request an extension of a trial reunification. The request shall contain a statement describing how the trial reunification continues to be in the best interests of the child. No later than 10 days prior to the expiration of the trial reunification, the person or agency that requests the extension shall submit the request to the court that ordered the trial reunification and shall cause notice of the request to be provided to all persons who are entitled to receive notice under sub. (2) (b).

48.358(3)(b) (b) Extension hearing; when required. Any person who is entitled to receive notice of the extension request under par. (a), 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 request was filed with the court. If an objection is filed, the court shall schedule a hearing on the matter. If the court is unable to conduct a hearing on the matter before the trial reunification expires, the court may extend the trial reunification for not more than 30 days without a hearing. If a hearing is scheduled, not less than 3 days before the hearing the person or agency requesting the extension or the court shall provide notice of the hearing to all persons who are entitled to receive notice of the extension request under par. (a). A copy of the request for the extension shall be attached to the notice. If all of the parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing.

48.358(3)(c) (c) Extension order. If the court finds that the trial reunification continues to be in the best interests of the child, the court shall grant an order extending the trial reunification for a period specified by the court. Any number of extensions may be granted, but the total period for a trial reunification may not exceed 150 days.

48.358(4) (4) Revocation of trial reunification.

48.358(4)(a) (a) Revocation request; information required.

48.358(4)(a)1. 1. If the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order determines based on current circumstances that a trial reunification is no longer in the best interests of the child, that person or agency may, without prior court order, remove the child from the trial reunification home and place the child in the child’s previous out-of-home placement as provided in subd. 2. or place the child in a new out-of-home placement as provided in subd. 3.

48.358(4)(a)2. 2. If the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order places the child in the child’s previous out-of-home placement, within 3 days after removing the child from the trial reunification home, that person or agency shall submit a request for revocation of the trial reunification to the court that ordered the trial reunification and shall cause notice of the request to be provided to all persons who are entitled to receive notice of the trial reunification under sub. (2) (b). The request shall contain the date on which the child was removed from the trial reunification home, the address of the child’s current placement, and the reasons for the proposed revocation. Paragraphs (b) and (c) apply to a request for revocation submitted under this subdivision.

48.358(4)(a)3. 3. If the person or agency primarily responsible for implementing the dispositional order places the child in a new out-of-home placement, within 3 days after removing the child from the trial reunification home, that person or agency shall request a change in placement under s. 48.357 (1) (am). The procedures specified in s. 48.357 relating to a change in placement under s. 48.357 (1) (am) apply to a change in placement requested under this subdivision, except that the request shall include the date on which the child was removed from the trial reunification home in addition to the information required under s. 48.357 (1) (am) 1., and the trial reunification is revoked when the change in placement order is granted.

48.358(4)(b) (b) Revocation hearing; when required. Any person who is entitled to receive notice of a revocation request under par. (a) 2., 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 request is filed with the court. If a hearing is scheduled, not less than 3 days prior to the hearing the court shall provide notice of the hearing, together with a copy of the request for the revocation, to all persons who are entitled to receive notice under par. (a) 2. If all parties consent, the court may proceed immediately with the hearing.

48.358(4)(c) (c) Revocation order. If the court finds that the trial reunification is no longer in the best interests of a child who has been placed in his or her previous out-of-home placement under par. (a) 1., the court shall grant an order revoking the trial reunification.

48.358(5) (5) Removal from foster home or other physical custodian. If a hearing is held under sub. (2) (c) and the trial reunification 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 trial reunification. A foster parent or other physical custodian described in s. 48.62 (2) who receives notice of a hearing under sub. (2) (c) 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.