Chapter 48

48.366(3)(b) (b) The person who is the subject of an agreement under par. (a) or his or her guardian may terminate the agreement at any time during the term of the agreement by notifying the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the agreement in writing that the person wishes to terminate the agreement.

48.366(3)(c) (c) A person who terminates a voluntary agreement under this subsection, or the person’s guardian on the person’s behalf, may request the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the person under the agreement to enter into a new voluntary agreement under this subsection at any time before the person is granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma or reaches 21 years of age, whichever occurs first, so long as the person is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and an individualized education program under s. 115.787 is in effect for him or her. If the request meets the conditions set forth in the rules promulgated under sub. (4) (b), the agency shall enter into a new voluntary agreement with that person.

48.366(3)(d) (d) If the agency that enters into a voluntary agreement under this subsection is the department or a county department, the voluntary agreement shall also specifically state that the department or the county department has placement and care responsibility for the person who is the subject of the agreement as required under 42 USC 672 (a) (2) and has primary responsibility for providing services to the person.

48.366(3g) (3g) Appeal procedures. Any person who is aggrieved by the failure of an agency to enter into a transition-to-independent-living agreement under sub. (3) or by an agency’s termination of such an agreement has the right to a contested case hearing under ch. 227.

48.366(3m) (3m) Cost of residential care center placements. The department is responsible for meeting the cost of a placement of a child 18 years of age or over in a residential care center for children and youth under a voluntary agreement under sub. (3) or under an order that terminates as provided in s. 48.355 (4) (b) 4., 48.357 (6) (a) 4., or 48.365 (5) (b) 4. The department shall meet that cost from the appropriations under s. 20.437 (1) (dd) and (pd).

48.366(4) (4) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section. Those rules shall include all of the following:

48.366(4)(a) (a) Rules permitting a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth to provide care for persons who agree to continue in out-of-home care under an extension of an order described in sub. (1) (a) or a voluntary agreement under sub. (3).

48.366(4)(b) (b) Rules setting forth the conditions under which a person who has terminated a voluntary agreement under sub. (3) and the agency primarily responsible for providing services under the agreement may enter into a new voluntary agreement under sub. (3) (c).

48.366 History History: 1987 a. 27; 1989 a. 31, 107, 359; 1993 a. 98, 385; 1995 a. 27, 77; 1997 a. 27, 35; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 344; 2013 a. 334; 2015 a. 55, 128; 2017 a. 366 s. 99; 2023 a. 119.

48.366 Annotation As I See It: Aging Out: Crossing into Adulthood Without a Net. Kilander. Wis. Law. Sept. 2014.

48.368 48.368 Continuation of dispositional orders.

48.368(1) (1) If a petition for termination of parental rights is filed under s. 48.41 or 48.415 or an appeal from a judgment terminating or denying termination of parental rights is filed during the year in which a dispositional order under s. 48.355, an extension order under s. 48.365, a voluntary agreement for placement of the child under s. 48.63, or a guardianship order under s. 48.977 or 48.9795, ch. 54, 2017 stats., or ch. 880, 2003 stats., is in effect, the dispositional or extension order, voluntary agreement, or guardianship order shall remain in effect until all proceedings related to the filing of the petition or an appeal are concluded.

48.368(2) (2) If a child’s placement with a guardian appointed under s. 48.977 (2) is designated by the court under s. 48.977 (3) as a permanent foster placement for the child while a dispositional order under s. 48.345, a revision order under s. 48.363 or an extension order under s. 48.365 is in effect with respect to the child, such dispositional order, revision order or extension order shall remain in effect until the earliest of the following:

48.368(2)(a) (a) Thirty days after the guardianship terminates under s. 48.977 (7).

48.368(2)(b) (b) A court enters a change in placement order under s. 48.357.

48.368(2)(c) (c) A court order terminates such dispositional order, revision order or extension order.

48.368(2)(d) (d) The child attains the age of 18 years.

48.368 History History: 1989 a. 86; 1993 a. 446; Stats. 1993 s. 48.368; 1995 a. 275; 1997 a. 80; 2005 a. 293; 2007 a. 45; 2019 a. 109; 2021 a. 240 s. 30.

48.37 48.37 Costs and fees.

48.37(1) (1) A court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 938 may not impose costs, fees, or surcharges under ch. 814 against a child under 14 years of age but may impose costs, fees, and surcharges under ch. 814 against a child 14 years of age or older.

48.37(2) (2) Notwithstanding sub. (1), no costs, fees, or surcharges may be imposed under ch. 814 against any child in a circuit court exercising jurisdiction under s. 48.16.

48.37 History History: 1977 c. 354, 449; 1979 c. 300, 359; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 263; 1993 a. 387; 1995 a. 77; 2003 a. 139.

48.371 48.371 Access to certain information by substitute care provider.

48.371(1) (1) If a child is placed in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative other than a parent or in the home of like-kin, including a placement under s. 48.205 or 48.21, the agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), that placed the child or arranged for the placement of the child shall provide the following information to the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home or residential care center for children and youth at the time of placement or, if the information has not been provided to the agency by that time, as soon as possible after the date on which the agency receives that information, but not more than 2 working days after that date:

48.371(1)(a) (a) Results of an HIV test, as defined in s. 252.01 (2m), of the child, as provided under s. 252.15 (3m) (d) 15., including results included in a court report or permanency plan. At the time that the HIV test results are provided, the agency shall notify the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home or residential care center for children and youth of the confidentiality requirements under s. 252.15 (6).

48.371(1)(b) (b) Results of any tests of the child to determine the presence of viral hepatitis, type B, including results included in a court report or permanency plan.

48.371(1)(c) (c) Any other medical information concerning the child that is necessary for the care of the child.

48.371(3) (3) At the time of placement of a child in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of a relative other than a parent or in the home of like-kin or, if the information is not available at that time, as soon as possible after the date on which the court report or permanency plan has been submitted, but no later than 7 days after that date, the agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), responsible for preparing the child’s permanency plan shall provide to the foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of the group home or residential care center for children and youth information contained in the court report submitted under s. 48.33 (1), 48.365 (2g), 48.425 (1), 48.831 (2), or 48.837 (4) (c) or permanency plan submitted under s. 48.355 (2e), 48.38, 48.43 (1) (c) or (5) (c), 48.63 (4) or (5) (c), or 48.831 (4) (e) relating to findings or opinions of the court or agency that prepared the court report or permanency plan relating to any of the following:

48.371(3)(a) (a) Any mental, emotional, cognitive, developmental, or behavioral disability of the child.

48.371(3)(b) (b) Any involvement of the child in any criminal gang, as defined in s. 939.22 (9), or in any other group in which any child was traumatized as a result of his or her association with that group.

48.371(3)(c) (c) Any involvement of the child in any activities that are harmful to the child’s physical, mental, or moral well-being.

48.371(3)(d) (d) Any involvement of the child, whether as victim or perpetrator, in sexual intercourse or sexual contact in violation of s. 940.225, 948.02, 948.025, or 948.085, prostitution in violation of s. 944.30 (1m), trafficking in violation of s. 940.302 (2) if s. 940.302 (2) (a) 1. b. applies, sexual exploitation of a child in violation of s. 948.05, trafficking of a child in violation of s. 948.051, or causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity in violation of s. 948.055, if the information is necessary for the care of the child or for the protection of any person living in the foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth or in the home of the relative or like-kin.

48.371(3)(e) (e) The religious affiliation or belief of the child.

48.371(4) (4) Subsection (1) does not preclude an agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), that is arranging for the placement of a child from providing the information specified in sub. (1) (a) to (c) to a person specified in sub. (1) (intro.) before the time of placement of the child. Subsection (3) does not preclude an agency, as defined in s. 48.38 (1) (a), responsible for preparing a child’s court report or permanency plan from providing the information specified in sub. (3) (a) to (e) to a person specified in sub. (3) (intro.) before the time of placement of the child.

48.371(5) (5) Except as permitted under s. 252.15 (6), a foster parent, relative, like-kin, or operator of a group home or residential care center for children and youth that receives any information under sub. (1) or (3), other than the information described in sub. (3) (e), shall keep the information confidential and may disclose that information only for the purposes of providing care for the child or participating in a court hearing or permanency review concerning the child.

48.371 History History: 1993 a. 395; 1995 a. 275; 1997 a. 272; 2001 a. 59, 69, 105; 2005 a. 232, 277; 2007 a. 97, 116; 2009 a. 28, 209; 2011 a. 181, 260; 2013 a. 362; 2023 a. 119.

48.371 Note NOTE: 1993 Wis. Act 395, which created this section, contains extensive explanatory notes.

48.373 48.373 Medical authorization.

48.373(1) (1) The court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 938 may authorize medical services including surgical procedures when needed if the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 938 determines that reasonable cause exists for the services and that the minor is within the jurisdiction of the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 938 and consents.

48.373(2) (2) Section 48.375 (7) applies if the medical service authorized under sub. (1) is an abortion.

48.373(3) (3) In a proceeding under s. 48.375 (7), a circuit court exercising jurisdiction under s. 48.16 may not authorize any medical services other than the performance or inducement of an abortion.

48.373 History History: 1971 c. 105; 1977 c. 354 s. 64; 1977 c. 449; Stats. 1977 s. 48.373; 1991 a. 263; 1993 a. 32; 1995 a. 77.

48.375 48.375 Parental consent required prior to abortion; judicial waiver procedure.

48.375(1) (1) Legislative findings and intent.

48.375(1)(a) (a) The legislature finds that:

48.375(1)(a)1. 1. Immature minors often lack the ability to make fully informed choices that take account of both immediate and long-range consequences.

48.375(1)(a)2. 2. The medical, emotional and psychological consequences of abortion and of childbirth are serious and can be lasting, particularly when the patient is immature.

48.375(1)(a)3. 3. The capacity to become pregnant and the capacity for mature judgment concerning the wisdom of bearing a child or of having an abortion are not necessarily related.

48.375(1)(a)4. 4. Parents ordinarily possess information essential to a physician’s exercise of the physician’s best medical judgment concerning a minor.

48.375(1)(a)5. 5. Parents who are aware that their minor is pregnant or has had an abortion may better ensure that she receives adequate medical attention during her pregnancy or after her abortion.

48.375(1)(a)6. 6. Parental knowledge of a minor’s pregnancy and parental consent to an abortion are usually desirable and in the best interest of the minor.

48.375(1)(b) (b) It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this section to further the purposes set forth in s. 48.01, and in particular to further the important and compelling state interests in:

48.375(1)(b)1. 1. Protecting minors against their own immaturity.

48.375(1)(b)2. 2. Fostering the family structure and preserving it as a viable social unit.

48.375(1)(b)3. 3. Protecting the rights of parents to rear minors who are members of their households.

48.375(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

48.375(2)(a) (a) “Abortion” means the use of any instrument, medicine, drug or any other substance or device with intent to terminate the pregnancy of a minor after implantation of a fertilized human ovum and with intent other than to increase the probability of a live birth, to preserve the life or health of the infant after live birth or to remove a dead fetus.

48.375(2)(b) (b) “Adult family member” means any of the following who is at least 25 years of age:

48.375(2)(b)1. 1. Grandparent.

48.375(2)(b)2. 2. Aunt.

48.375(2)(b)3. 3. Uncle.

48.375(2)(b)4. 4. Sister.

48.375(2)(b)5. 5. Brother.

48.375(2)(c) (c) “Counselor” means a physician including a physician specializing in psychiatry, a psychologist, or an ordained member of the clergy. “Counselor” does not include any person who is employed by or otherwise affiliated with a reproductive health care facility, a family planning clinic, or a family planning agency; any person affiliated with the performance of abortions, except abortions performed to save the life of the mother; or any person who may profit from giving advice to seek an abortion.

48.375(2)(d) (d) Notwithstanding s. 48.02 (2m), “court” means any circuit court within this state.

48.375(2)(e) (e) “Emancipated minor” means a minor who is or has been married; a minor who has previously given birth; or a minor who has been freed from the care, custody and control of her parents, with little likelihood of returning to the care, custody and control prior to marriage or prior to reaching the age of majority.

48.375(2)(em) (em) “Member of the clergy” has the meaning given in s. 765.002 (1).

48.375(2)(g) (g) “Physician” means a person licensed to practice medicine and surgery under ch. 448.

48.375(2)(h) (h) “Referring physician” means a physician who refers a minor to another physician for the purpose of obtaining an abortion.

48.375(3) (3) Applicability. This section applies whether or not the minor who initiates the proceeding is a resident of this state.

48.375(4) (4) Parental consent required.

48.375(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in this section, no person may perform or induce an abortion on or for a minor who is not an emancipated minor unless the person is a physician and one of the following applies:

48.375(4)(a)1. 1. The person or the person’s agent has, either directly or through a referring physician or his or her agent, received and made part of the minor’s medical record, under the requirements of s. 253.10, the voluntary and informed written consent of the minor and the voluntary and informed written consent of one of her parents; or of the minor’s guardian or legal custodian, if one has been appointed; or of an adult family member of the minor; or of one of the minor’s foster parents, if the minor has been placed in a foster home and the minor’s parent has signed a waiver granting the department, a county department, or the foster parent the authority to consent to medical services or treatment on behalf of the minor.

48.375(4)(a)2. 2. The court has granted a petition under sub. (7).

48.375(4)(b) (b) Paragraph (a) does not apply if the person who intends to perform or induce the abortion is a physician and any of the following occurs:

48.375(4)(b)1. 1. The person who intends to perform or induce the abortion believes, to the best of his or her medical judgment based on the facts of the case before him or her, that a medical emergency exists that complicates the pregnancy so as to require an immediate abortion.

48.375(4)(b)1g. 1g. The minor provides the person who intends to perform or induce the abortion with a written statement, signed and dated by the minor, in which the minor swears that the pregnancy is the result of a sexual assault in violation of s. 940.225 (1), (2) or (3) in which the minor did not indicate a freely given agreement to have sexual intercourse. The person who intends to perform or induce the abortion shall place the statement in the minor’s medical record and report the sexual intercourse as required under s. 48.981 (2) or (2m) (e). Any minor who makes a false statement under this subdivision, which the minor does not believe is true, is subject to a proceeding under s. 938.12 or 938.13 (12), whichever is applicable, based on a violation of s. 946.32 (2).

48.375(4)(b)1m. 1m. A physician who specializes in psychiatry or a psychologist states in writing that the physician or psychologist believes, to the best of his or her professional judgment based on the facts of the case before him or her, that the minor is likely to commit suicide rather than file a petition under s. 48.257 or approach her parent, or guardian or legal custodian, if one has been appointed, or an adult family member of the minor, or one of the minor’s foster parents, if the minor has been placed in a foster home and the minor’s parent has signed a waiver granting the department, a county department, or the foster parent the authority to consent to medical services or treatment on behalf of the minor, for consent.

48.375(4)(b)2. 2. The minor provides the person who intends to perform or induce the abortion with a written statement, signed and dated by the minor, that the pregnancy is the result of sexual intercourse with a caregiver specified in s. 48.981 (1) (am) 1., 2., 3., 4. or 8. The person who intends to perform or induce the abortion shall place the statement in the minor’s medical record. The person who intends to perform or induce the abortion shall report the sexual intercourse as required under s. 48.981 (2m) (d) 1.

48.375(4)(b)3. 3. The minor provides the person who intends to perform or induce the abortion with a written statement, signed and dated by the minor, that a parent who has legal custody of the minor, or the minor’s guardian or legal custodian, if one has been appointed, or an adult family member of the minor, or a foster parent, if the minor has been placed in a foster home and the minor’s parent has signed a waiver granting the department, a county department, or the foster parent the authority to consent to medical services or treatment on behalf of the minor, has inflicted abuse on the minor. The person who intends to perform or induce the abortion shall place the statement in the minor’s medical record. The person who intends to perform or induce the abortion shall report the abuse as required under s. 48.981 (2).

48.375(5) (5) Counseling. Any minor who is pregnant and who is seeking an abortion and any minor who has had an abortion may receive counseling from a counselor of her choice. A county department may refer the minor to a private counselor.

48.375(6) (6) Right to petition court for waiver. Any pregnant minor who is seeking an abortion in this state, and any member of the clergy on the minor’s behalf, may file a petition specified under s. 48.257 with any court for a waiver of the parental consent requirement under sub. (4) (a) 1.

48.375(7) (7) Court procedure.

48.375(7)(a) (a) Receipt of petition; initial appearance. On the date that a petition under s. 48.257 is filed, or if it is impossible to do so on that day, on the next calendar day, the court shall hold an initial appearance in chambers at which the minor or the member of the clergy who filed the petition on behalf of the minor, if any, is present and shall do all of the following:

48.375(7)(a)1. 1. Appoint legal counsel under s. 48.23 (1m) (cm) for the minor if the minor is not represented by counsel.

48.375(7)(a)3. 3. Set a time for a hearing on the petition that will enable the court to act within the time period specified in par. (d) 1.

48.375(7)(a)4. 4. Notify the minor, the minor’s counsel, if any, the member of the clergy who filed the petition on behalf of the minor, if any, and the minor’s guardian ad litem, if any, of the time, date and place of the hearing.

48.375(7)(am) (am) Guardian ad litem; appointment. At the initial appearance under par. (a), the court may also, in its discretion, appoint a guardian ad litem under s. 48.235 (1) (d).

48.375(7)(b) (b) Hearing; evidence. The court shall hold a confidential hearing on a petition that is filed by a minor. The hearing shall be held in chambers, unless a public fact-finding hearing is demanded by the minor through her counsel. At the hearing, the court shall consider the report of the guardian ad litem, if any, and hear evidence relating to all of the following: