Chapter 48

48.658(1)(c) (c) “Child safety alarm” means an alarm system that prompts the driver of a child care vehicle to inspect the child care vehicle for children before exiting the child care vehicle.

48.658(2) (2) Child safety alarms required. Before a child care vehicle is placed in service, the child care provider or contractor of a child care provider that is the owner or lessee of the child care vehicle shall have a child safety alarm installed in the child care vehicle. A person who is required under this subsection to have a child safety alarm installed in a child care vehicle shall ensure that the child safety alarm is properly maintained and in good working order each time the child care vehicle is used for transporting children to or from a child care provider.

48.658(3) (3) Violations.

48.658(3)(a) (a) No person may knowingly transport a child, and no child care provider or contractor of a child care provider that is the owner or lessee of a child care vehicle may knowingly permit a child to be transported, to or from a child care provider in a child care vehicle in which a child safety alarm has not been installed, is not properly maintained, or is not in good working order. In addition to the sanctions and penalties specified in s. 48.715, any person who violates this paragraph may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both.

48.658(3)(bm) (bm) No person may remove, disconnect, tamper with, or otherwise circumvent the operation of a child safety alarm that is installed in a child care vehicle, except for the purpose of testing, repairing, or maintaining the child safety alarm or of replacing or disposing of a malfunctioning child safety alarm. No person may shut off a child safety alarm that is installed in a child care vehicle unless the person first inspects the vehicle to ensure that no child is left unattended in the vehicle. Any person who violates this paragraph is guilty of a Class I felony.

48.658(4) (4) Rules; information about child safety alarms.

48.658(4)(a) (a) The department shall promulgate rules to implement this section. Those rules shall include a rule requiring the department, whenever it inspects a child care provider that is licensed under s. 48.65 (1) or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14), and a county department or an agency contracted with under s. 48.651 (2), whenever it inspects a child care provider that is certified under s. 48.651, to inspect the child safety alarm of each child care vehicle that is used to transport children to and from the child care provider to determine whether the child safety alarm is in good working order.

48.658(4)(bm) (bm) The department shall make information about child safety alarms available to persons who are required under sub. (2) to have a child safety alarm installed in a child care vehicle. The department may make that information available by posting the information on the department’s Internet site.

48.658 History History: 2009 a. 19, 185; 2015 a. 172.

48.659 48.659 Child care quality rating system. The department shall provide a child care quality rating system that rates the quality of the child care provided by a child care provider licensed under s. 48.65 that receives payment under s. 49.155 for the child care provided or that volunteers for rating under this section. The department shall make the rating information provided under that system available to the parents, guardians, and legal custodians of children who are recipients, or prospective recipients, of care and supervision from a child care provider that is rated under this section, including making that information available on the department’s Internet site.

48.659 History History: 2009 a. 28; 2013 a. 20.

subch. XVI of ch. 48 SUBCHAPTER XVI

LICENSING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
FOR CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, FOSTER HOMES, GROUP HOMES, CHILD CARE CENTERS,
AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS

48.66 48.66 Licensing duties of the department.

48.66(1) (1) 

48.66(1)(a) (a) Except as provided in s. 48.715 (6) and (7), the department shall license and supervise child welfare agencies, as required by s. 48.60, group homes, as required by s. 48.625, shelter care facilities, as required by s. 938.22, and child care centers, as required by s. 48.65. The department may license foster homes, as provided by s. 48.62, and may license and supervise county departments in accordance with the procedures specified in this section and in ss. 48.67 to 48.74. The department may supervise a child care program established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14) that receives payment under s. 49.155 for the child care provided. In the discharge of this duty the department may inspect the records and visit the premises of all child welfare agencies, group homes, shelter care facilities, and child care centers and visit the premises of all foster homes in which children are placed. The department may also inspect the records and visit the premises of all child care programs established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14) that receive payment under s. 49.155 for the child care provided.

48.66(1)(b) (b) Except as provided in s. 48.715 (6), the department of corrections may license a child welfare agency to operate a secured residential care center for children and youth for holding in secure custody juveniles who have been convicted under s. 938.183 or adjudicated delinquent under s. 938.183 or 938.34 (4d), (4h), or (4m) and referred to the child welfare agency by the court, the tribal court, the county department, or the department of corrections and to provide supervision, care, and maintenance for those juveniles.

48.66(1)(c) (c) A license issued under par. (a) or (b), other than a license to operate a foster home or secured residential care center for children and youth, is valid until revoked or suspended. A license issued under this subsection to operate a foster home or secured residential care center for children and youth may be for any term not to exceed 2 years from the date of issuance. No license issued under par. (a) or (b) is transferable.

48.66(2) (2) The department shall prescribe application forms to be used by all applicants for licenses from it. The application forms prescribed by the department shall require that the social security numbers of all applicants for a license to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or child care center who are individuals, other than an individual who does not have a social security number and who submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under sub. (2m) (a) 2., be provided and that the federal employer identification numbers of all applicants for a license to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or child care center who are not individuals be provided.

48.66(2m) (2m) 

48.66(2m)(a) (a)

48.66(2m)(a)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the department shall require each applicant for a license under sub. (1) (a) to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or child care center who is an individual to provide that department with the applicant’s social security number, and shall require each applicant for a license under sub. (1) (a) to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or child care center who is not an individual to provide that department with the applicant’s federal employer identification number, when initially applying for or applying to continue the license.

48.66(2m)(a)2. 2. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.

48.66(2m)(am) (am)

48.66(2m)(am)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., the department of corrections shall require each applicant for a license under sub. (1) (b) to operate a secured residential care center for children and youth who is an individual to provide that department with the applicant’s social security number when initially applying for or applying to renew the license.

48.66(2m)(am)2. 2. If an applicant who is an individual does not have a social security number, the applicant shall submit a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation to the department of corrections that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subdivision is invalid.

48.66(2m)(b) (b) If an applicant who is an individual fails to provide the applicant’s social security number to the department or if an applicant who is not an individual fails to provide the applicant’s federal employer identification number to the department, that department may not issue or continue a license under sub. (1) (a) to operate a child welfare agency, group home, shelter care facility, or child care center to or for the applicant unless the applicant is an individual who does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under par. (a) 2.

48.66(2m)(bm) (bm) If an applicant who is an individual fails to provide the applicant’s social security number to the department of corrections, that department may not issue or renew a license under sub. (1) (b) to operate a secured residential care center for children and youth to or for the applicant unless the applicant does not have a social security number and the applicant submits a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation as required under par. (am) 2.

48.66(2m)(c) (c) The subunit of the department that obtains a social security number or a federal employer identification number under par. (a) 1. may not disclose that information to any person except to the department of revenue for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 73.0301 and to the department of workforce development for the sole purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227 or on the request of the subunit of the department that administers the child and spousal support program under s. 49.22 (2m).

48.66(2m)(cm) (cm) The department of corrections may not disclose any information obtained under par. (am) 1. to any person except on the request of the department under s. 49.22 (2m).

48.66(3) (3) The department shall prescribe the form and content of records to be kept and information to be reported by persons licensed by it.

48.66(5) (5) A child welfare agency, group home, child care center, or shelter care facility license, other than a probationary license, is valid until revoked or suspended, but shall be reviewed every 2 years after the date of issuance as provided in this subsection. At least 30 days prior to the continuation date of the license, the licensee shall submit to the department an application for continuance of the license in the form and containing the information that the department requires. If the minimum requirements for a license established under s. 48.67 are met, the application is approved, the applicable fees referred to in ss. 48.68 (1), 48.685 (8), and 48.686 (2) (ag) are paid, and any forfeiture under s. 48.715 (3) (a) or penalty under s. 48.76 that is due is paid, the department shall continue the license for an additional 2-year period, unless sooner suspended or revoked. If the application is not timely filed, the department shall issue a warning to the licensee. If the licensee fails to apply for continuance of the license within 30 days after receipt of the warning, the department may revoke the license as provided in s. 48.715 (4) and (4m) (b).

48.66(6) (6) 

48.66(6)(a) (a) If the department notifies a child welfare agency of its intent to revoke or suspend the child welfare agency’s license under s. 227.51 or notifies a child welfare agency of its intent to terminate a contract under which the child welfare agency provides foster home licensing services for the department or if a child welfare agency notifies the department of its intent to surrender or surrenders its license or terminates such a contract, the department may do any of the following:

48.66(6)(a)1. 1. Require the child welfare agency to provide the department with complete copies of the child welfare agency’s financial, child placement, and foster home licensing records in accordance with department requirements.

48.66(6)(a)2. 2. Transfer any child placement or foster home licensing records obtained under subd. 1. to any county department or child welfare agency to which a foster home license issued by the child welfare agency is transferred under par. (b) or to any public licensing agency or child welfare agency that relicenses a foster home licensed by the child welfare agency.

48.66(6)(a)3. 3. Prohibit the child welfare agency from accepting new placements or issuing new foster home licenses.

48.66(6)(b) (b) If the department revokes or suspends a child welfare agency’s license under s. 227.51 or terminates a contract under which the child welfare agency provides foster home licensing services for the department, or if a child welfare agency surrenders its license or terminates such a contract, the department may transfer each foster home license issued by the child welfare agency to a county department or the department, or to another child welfare agency that consents to the transfer. A license transferred under this paragraph remains valid until it expires or 180 days after the date of the transfer, whichever is later.

48.66 History History: 1975 c. 307; 1977 c. 29, 271, 418, 447; 1979 c. 330; 1985 a. 176; 1993 a. 375 ss. 10, 12, 13; 1993 a. 377, 446, 491; 1995 a. 27, 77, 352; 1997 a. 27, 191, 205, 237; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 344; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 185; 2013 a. 36; 2017 a. 47, 59, 185, 257; 2019 a. 8.

48.66 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DCF 57, Wis. adm. code.

48.67 48.67 Rules governing child welfare agencies, child care centers, foster homes, group homes, shelter care facilities, and county departments. The department shall promulgate rules establishing minimum requirements for the issuance of licenses to, and establishing standards for the operation of, child welfare agencies, child care centers, foster homes, group homes, shelter care facilities, and county departments. Those rules shall be designed to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of the children in the care of all licensees. The department shall consult with the department of safety and professional services, the department of public instruction, and the child abuse and neglect prevention board before promulgating those rules. For foster homes, those rules shall include the rules promulgated under s. 48.62 (8). Those rules shall include rules that require all of the following:

48.67(1) (1) That all child care center licensees, and all employees and volunteers of a child care center, who provide care and supervision for children under one year of age receive, before the date on which the license is issued or the employment or volunteer work commences, whichever is applicable, training in the most current medically accepted methods of preventing sudden infant death syndrome. The rules shall provide that any training in those methods that a licensee has obtained in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), counts toward satisfying the training requirement under this subsection if the licensee demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the training obtained in that connection is substantially equivalent to the training required under this subsection.

48.67(2) (2) That all child care center licensees, and all employees and volunteers of a child care center, who provide care and supervision for children under 5 years of age receive, before the date on which the license is issued or the employment or volunteer work commences, whichever is applicable, the training relating to shaken baby syndrome and impacted babies required under s. 253.15 (4) (a) or (c).

48.67(3) (3) 

48.67(3)(a) (a) That all child care center licensees, and all employees of a child care center, who provide care and supervision for children have current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator, as defined in s. 256.15 (1) (cr), achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education that is approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction or through instruction obtained by the licensee in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), if the licensee demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the instruction obtained in that connection is substantially equivalent to the instruction provided by a person approved under s. 46.03 (38).

48.67(3)(b) (b) That all staff members of a group home who provide care for the residents of the group home have current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator, as defined in s. 256.15 (1) (cr), achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education that is approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction or through instruction obtained in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), if the staff member or group home demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the instruction obtained in that connection is substantially equivalent to the instruction provided by a person approved under s. 46.03 (38).

48.67(3)(c) (c) That all staff members of a shelter care facility who provide care and supervision for children have current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator, as defined in s. 256.15 (1) (cr), achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education that is approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction or through instruction obtained in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), if the staff member or shelter care facility demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the instruction obtained in that connection is substantially equivalent to the instruction provided by a person approved under s. 46.03 (38), and that all shelter care facilities have readily available on the premises of the shelter care facility a staff member or other person who has that proficiency.

48.67(3)(d) (d) That all child welfare agencies that operate a residential care center for children and youth have in each building housing residents of the residential care center for children and youth when those residents are present at least one staff member who has current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator, as defined in s. 256.15 (1) (cr), achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education that is approved under s. 46.03 (38) to provide such instruction or through instruction obtained in connection with military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), if the staff member or child welfare agency demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department that the instruction obtained in that connection is substantially equivalent to the instruction provided by a person approved under s. 46.03 (38).

48.67(4) (4) 

48.67(4)(a) (a) That all foster parents successfully complete training in the care and support needs of children who are placed in foster care that has been approved by the department. The training shall be completed on an ongoing basis, as determined by the department. The department shall promulgate rules prescribing the training that is required under this subsection and shall monitor compliance with this subsection according to those rules. The training shall include training in all of the following:

48.67(4)(a)1. 1. Parenting skills, including child development; infant care, if appropriate; the effects of trauma on children; communicating with children in an age-appropriate manner; and recognizing issues such as drug use or addiction or attachment disorder.

48.67(4)(a)1m. 1m. Knowledge and skills relating to the use of the reasonable and prudent parent standard in making decisions concerning a child’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate activities including knowledge and skills relating to the stages in the development of cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacities of children and knowledge and skills relating to applying that standard in making decisions regarding a child’s participation in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, or social activities, such as sports, field trips, overnight, and other recreational activities, in making decisions involving the signing of permission slips and the arrangement of transportation to and from those activities, and in making decisions regarding the child’s choices with respect to transportation, employment, peer relationships, and personal expression. Those rules shall require a foster parent who has received that training to make reasonable and prudent parenting decisions in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

48.67(4)(a)2. 2. For foster parents caring for children 11 years of age or older, teaching and encouraging independent living skills, including budgeting, health and nutrition, and other skills to promote the child’s long-term economic independence and well-being.

48.67(4)(a)3. 3. Issues that may confront the foster parents, in general, and that may confront the foster parents of children with special needs.

48.67(4)(a)4. 4. Child abuse and neglect prevention.

48.67(4)(a)5. 5. The proper use of foster care payments.

48.67(4)(a)6. 6. The availability of resources for foster parents in the local community.

48.67(4)(a)7. 7. Other topics, as determined by the department.

48.67(4)(b) (b) The training under par. (a) shall be available to a kinship care provider, as defined in s. 48.40 (1m), upon request of the kinship care provider.

Effective date note NOTE: Par. (b) 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) reads:

Effective date text (b) The training under par. (a) shall be available to a kinship care relative, as defined in s. 48.40 (1m), upon request of the kinship care relative.

48.67(4)(c) (c) For a foster parent receiving an initial license, the training under par. (a) shall be completed before the first child is placed with the foster parent.

48.67(5) (5) That all child welfare agencies that operate a residential care center for children and youth, all group homes, and all shelter care facilities employ on the site of the center, group home, or shelter care facility at all times a staff member designated as an out-of-home care provider for purposes of making decisions concerning the participation of a child placed in the center, group home, or shelter care facility in age or developmentally appropriate activities. Those rules shall also require an out-of-home care provider so designated to receive training in knowledge and skills relating to the use of the reasonable and prudent parent standard in making decisions concerning a child’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate activities. In addition, those rules shall require an out-of-home care provider so trained to make reasonable and prudent parenting decisions in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

48.67 History History: 1975 c. 307; 1977 c. 29, 205, 271, 418, 447; 1979 c. 300; 1985 a. 176; 1993 a. 375, 446; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2599, 9116 (4), 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 165; 2007 a. 104; 2009 a. 28, 180, 185, 336; 2011 a. 32, 120; 2015 a. 128; 2023 a. 119.

48.67 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. DCF 52, 56, 57, 59, 250, 251, and 252, Wis. adm. code.

48.675 48.675 Qualified residential treatment programs.

48.675(1) (1) The department may certify a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility to operate a qualified residential treatment program if it determines that the program meets the requirements of 42 USC 672 (k) (4) and any other requirements established by the department under this section. A residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under this section shall comply with all other requirements applicable to the residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility.

48.675(2) (2) The department may promulgate rules for the establishment, certification, operation, and monitoring of, and the placement of a child in, a qualified residential treatment program under sub. (1).

48.675 History History: 2021 a. 42.

48.68 48.68 Investigation of applicant; issuing of license.

48.68(1) (1) After receipt of an application for a license, the department shall investigate to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements for a license adopted by the department under s. 48.67 and meets the requirements specified in s. 48.685 or 48.686, whichever is applicable. In determining whether to issue or continue a license, the department may consider any action by the applicant, or by an employee of the applicant, that constitutes a substantial failure by the applicant or employee to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of a child. Upon satisfactory completion of this investigation and payment of the fee required under s. 48.615 (1) (a) or (b), 48.625 (2) (a), 48.65 (3) (a), or 938.22 (7) (b), the department shall issue a license under s. 48.66 (1) (a) or, if applicable, a probationary license under s. 48.69 or, if applicable, shall continue a license under s. 48.66 (5). At the time of initial licensure and license renewal, the department shall provide a foster home licensee with written information relating to the monthly foster care rates and supplemental payments specified in s. 48.62 (4), including payment amounts, eligibility requirements for supplemental payments, and the procedures for applying for supplemental payments.

48.68(2) (2) Before continuing the license of any child welfare agency to operate a residential care center for children and youth or of any group home, the department shall consider all formal complaints filed under s. 48.745 (2) and the disposition of each during the previous 2-year period.

48.68(3) (3) Within 10 working days after receipt of an application for initial licensure of a child welfare agency to operate a residential care center for children and youth or of a group home, the department shall notify the city, town, or village planning commission, or other appropriate city, town, or village agency if there is no planning commission, of receipt of the application. The department shall request that the planning commission or agency send to the department, within 30 days, a description of any specific hazards that may affect the health and safety of the residents of the residential care center for children and youth or group home. No license may be issued to a child welfare agency to operate a residential care center for children and youth or to a group home until the 30-day period has expired or until the department receives the response of the planning commission or agency, whichever is sooner. In issuing a license the department shall give full consideration to such hazards determined by the planning commission or agency.

48.68(4) (4) Prior to initial licensure of a residential care center for children and youth operated by a child welfare agency or of a group home, the applicant for licensure shall make a good faith effort to establish a community advisory committee consisting of representatives from the child welfare agency or proposed group home, the neighborhood in which the proposed residential care center for children and youth or group home will be located and a local unit of government. The community advisory committee shall provide a forum for communication for those persons interested in the proposed residential care center for children and youth or group home. Any committee established under this subsection shall continue in existence after licensure to make recommendations to the licensee regarding the impact of the residential care center for children and youth or group home on the neighborhood. The department shall determine compliance with this subsection both prior to and after initial licensure.

48.68 History History: 1977 c. 205, 418; 1981 c. 72; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 375, 395, 491; 1995 a. 27, 77; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 59; 2009 a. 28; 2017 a. 59.

48.68 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DCF 56, Wis. adm. code.

48.685 48.685 Criminal history and child abuse record search.

48.685(1) (1) In this section:

48.685(1)(ag) (ag)

48.685(1)(ag)1. 1. “Caregiver” means any of the following:

48.685(1)(ag)1.a. a. A person who is, or is expected to be, an employee or contractor of an entity, who is or is expected to be under the control of the entity, as defined by the department by rule, and who has, or is expected to have, regular, direct contact with clients of the entity.

48.685(1)(ag)1.am. am. A person to whom delegation of the care and custody of a child under s. 48.979 has been, or is expected to be, facilitated by an entity.

48.685(1)(ag)1.b. b. A person who has, or is seeking, a license to operate an entity, who is receiving, or is seeking, payment under s. 48.623 (6) (am) for operating an entity, or who is seeking payment under s. 48.623 (6) (bm) for operating an entity.

48.685(1)(ag)2. 2. “Caregiver” does not include a person who is certified as an emergency medical services practitioner under s. 256.15 if the person is employed, or seeking employment, as an emergency medical services practitioner and does not include a person who is certified as an emergency medical responder under s. 256.15 if the person is employed, or seeking employment, as an emergency medical responder.

48.685(1)(am) (am) “Client” means a person who receives direct care or treatment services from an entity or from a caregiver specified in par. (ag) 1. am. or from a child care program under s. 48.686 (1) (aj), including all of the following:

48.685(1)(am)1. 1. An adopted child for whom adoption assistance payments are being made under s. 48.975.

48.685(1)(am)2. 2. A child for whom subsidized guardianship payments are being made under s. 48.623.

48.685(1)(am)3. 3. A person who is 18 to 21 years old, is receiving independent living services under 42 USC 677 (a), is no longer placed in out-of-home care, and is residing in the foster home in which he or she was previously placed.

48.685(1)(ao) (ao) “Congregate care facility” means a group home, shelter care facility, or residential care center for children and youth.