Chapter 49

49.22(13)(a) (a) Subject to par. (b), the department may terminate child and spousal support enforcement services if there is no longer a current support or maintenance order and either of the following applies:

49.22(13)(a)1. 1. Any support or maintenance arrearages total less than $500.

49.22(13)(a)2. 2. Any support or maintenance arrearages are considered unenforceable by a county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) because no support or maintenance payments have been collected for 3 years and all administrative and legal remedies for collection of arrearages have been attempted or are determined to be ineffective because the payer is unable to pay, the payer has no known income or assets, and there is no reasonable prospect that the payer will be able to pay in the foreseeable future.

49.22(13)(b) (b) The department shall, not less than 60 days prior to terminating child or spousal support services, notify the individual who receives the services, or the initiating state in an interstate enforcement action, of its intent to terminate services. If the individual or the state provides information to the department in response to the notification that could result in an effective enforcement action, the department may not terminate services.

49.22(13)(c) (c) An individual or the initiating state in an interstate enforcement action may request the department to resume child or spousal support enforcement services terminated under this subsection if there is a change of circumstances that could result in an effective enforcement action and the individual or the state completes a new application for services and pays any applicable fee to the department for its services.

49.22 History History: 1975 c. 82; 1977 c. 26, 29, 203, 418; 1979 c. 196, 221; 1981 c. 20, 93; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29 ss. 861m to 866, 2390 to 2399; 1987 a. 27; 1987 a. 332 s. 64; 1987 a. 399, 403, 413; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 16, 481; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2128m to 2134, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1995 a. 77, 187, 201, 225, 289; 1995 a. 404 ss. 39 to 43, 45, 46, 48, 173, 174; Stats. 1995 s. 49.22; 1997 a. 27, 105, 191, 237; 1999 a. 32; 2001 a. 16; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20 ss. 1467 to 1472, 9121 (6) (a); 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 334.

49.22 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. DCF 150 and 152, Wis. adm. code.

49.22 Annotation The state may request patient billing records under s. 46.25 (2m) [now sub. (2m)], which may be admitted into evidence under the exception to confidentiality under s. 146.82 (2) (a) 3. State v. Allen, 200 Wis. 2d 301, 546 N.W.2d 517 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-0792.

49.22 Annotation Information contained in a county paternity case file may be released for purposes of fraud investigation of the public assistance programs specified in s. 49.53 [now s. 49.83]. 80 Atty. Gen. 226.

49.225 49.225 Ordering genetic tests.

49.225(1) (1) In this section, “genetic test” has the meaning given in s. 767.001 (1m).

49.225(2) (2) 

49.225(2)(a) (a) A county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) may require, by subpoena in substantially the form authorized under s. 885.02 or by other means, a child, the child’s mother, and a male alleged, or alleging himself, to be the child’s father to submit to genetic tests if there is probable cause to believe that the male had sexual intercourse with the child’s mother during a possible time of the child’s conception. Probable cause of sexual intercourse during a possible time of conception may be established by a sufficient affidavit of the child’s mother, the male alleged, or alleging himself, to be the child’s father, or the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) based on information provided by the child’s mother.

49.225(2)(b) (b) If there is only one male alleged, or alleging himself, to be the father and one or more persons required to submit to genetic tests under par. (a) fail to appear for the scheduled tests, the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) may bring an action under s. 767.80 for determining the paternity of the child.

49.225(3) (3) The fees and costs for genetic tests performed on any person required to submit to the tests under sub.(2) (a) shall be paid for by the county except as follows:

49.225(3)(a) (a) The county may seek reimbursement from either the mother or male alleged, or alleging himself, to be the father, or from both, if the test results show that the male is not excluded as the father and that the statistical probability of the male’s parentage is 99.0 percent or higher.

49.225(3)(b) (b) If 2 or more identical series of genetic tests are performed upon the same person, the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) shall require the person requesting the 2nd or subsequent series of tests to pay for the tests in advance. If the person requesting the 2nd or subsequent series of tests is indigent, the county shall pay for the tests and may seek reimbursement from the person.

49.225 History History: 1997 a. 191; 2005 a. 443 s. 265; 2019 a. 95.

49.227 49.227 Program for publication of delinquent child support obligors. The department shall establish a program to increase public awareness about the importance of the payment of child support. The program shall include publication of information, such as names and photographs, that identifies child support obligors who are significantly delinquent in the payment of child support. The department may use posters, media presentations or other means that the department determines are appropriate for publication of the information. The publications shall include information about the child support owed by each obligor identified and, if appropriate, shall solicit information from the public to assist the department in locating a delinquent obligor.

49.227 History History: 1995 a. 12; 1997 a. 191 s. 39; Stats. 1997 s. 49.227; 1999 a. 32 s. 131.

49.24 49.24 Child support incentive payments.

49.24(1) (1) The department shall provide child support incentive payments to counties from one of the following appropriations:

49.24(1)(a) (a) Unless par. (b) applies, from the appropriation under s. 20.437 (2) (bc).

49.24(1)(b) (b) If federal legislation provides for the matching of federal funds for federal child support incentive payments at a rate of 66 percent or more, from the appropriation under s. 20.437 (2) (k) while the federal legislation is in effect. Total payments under this paragraph may not exceed $5,690,000 per year.

49.24(2) (2) 

49.24(2)(a) (a) The department shall, in consultation with representatives of counties, promulgate a rule that specifies the formula according to which the payments under sub. (1) and federal child support incentive payments will be distributed to counties. The rule shall provide that the total of state and federal incentive payments per year to a county may not exceed the costs per year of the county’s child support program under s. 49.22.

49.24(2)(b) (b) Subject to the incentive payments limit specified in par. (a), the department shall distribute to counties, in accordance with the formula established under par. (a), all of the following:

49.24(2)(b)2. 2. Of the amount of federal child support incentive payments awarded to the state for each federal fiscal year, the amount awarded if that amount is less than $12,340,000, or $12,340,000 plus 30 percent of the amount awarded that exceeds $12,340,000.

49.24(2)(b)3. 3. All federal matching funds associated with the amounts distributed under subd. 2.

49.24(2)(c) (c) The department may retain 70 percent of the amount of federal child support incentive payments awarded to the state for each federal fiscal year that exceeds $12,340,000, to be used to pay the costs of the department’s activities under ss. 49.22 and 49.227 and costs related to receiving and disbursing support and support-related payments.

49.24(2)(dm) (dm) If the amount of federal child support incentive payments awarded to the state for a federal fiscal year is less than $12,340,000 and the department is providing child support incentive payments to counties for that federal fiscal year under sub. (1) (b), the total of payments distributed to counties under par. (b) and sub. (1) for that federal fiscal year may not exceed $12,340,000.

49.24(3) (3) A county that receives any state child support incentive payment under sub. (1) or any federal child support incentive payment under sub. (2) may use the funds only to pay costs under its child support program under s. 49.22.

49.24 History History: 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2003 a. 33; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28.

49.24 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DCF 153, Wis. adm. code.

49.25 49.25 Incentive payments for identifying children with health insurance. From the appropriation under s. 20.437 (2) (e), the department may provide incentive payments to county child support agencies under s. 59.53 (5) for identifying children who are receiving medical assistance benefits and who have health insurance coverage or access to health insurance coverage. The department of children and families may disclose to the department of health services information that it possesses or obtains that would assist in identifying children with medical assistance coverage who have health insurance coverage or access to health insurance coverage.

49.25 History History: 2009 a. 28.

49.255 49.255 Case management incentive payments. An individual who receives case management services under s. 49.1475 is eligible to receive from the department a supplement of $50 per month over a period of 12 months if the individual meets the federal work participation requirements under 42 USC 607.

49.255 History History: 2017 a. 59.

49.257 49.257 Milwaukee child care grant program.

49.257(1) (1) In this section, “child care provider” has the meaning given in s. 49.155 (1) (ag).

49.257(2) (2) From the allocation under s. 49.175 (1) (p), the department may award grants to child care providers to support access to high-quality child care for families that reside in a geographic area with high-poverty levels, as identified by the department, in the city of Milwaukee. A grant under this section may be used for start-up costs, ongoing operational costs, including subsidy payments for eligible families, and quality improvement activities. A child care provider that is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds equal to 25 percent of the amount awarded. The matching contribution may be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services.

49.257(3) (3) From the allocation under s. 49.175 (1) (qm), the department may award grants to any of the following to improve overall child care quality in the geographic area identified under sub. (2):

49.257(3)(a) (a) Child care providers and employees of child care providers.

49.257(3)(b) (b) Educational institutions for the purpose of educating employees of child care providers.

49.257 History History: 2019 a. 9.

49.26 49.26 Learnfare program.

49.26(1) (1) 

49.26(1)(a) (a) In this subsection:

49.26(1)(a)1. 1. “Habitual truant” has the meaning given in s. 118.16 (1) (a).

49.26(1)(a)2. 2. “School” means any one of the following:

49.26(1)(a)2.a. a. A public school, as described in s. 115.01 (1).

49.26(1)(a)2.b. b. A private school, as defined in s. 115.001 (3r).

49.26(1)(a)2.bm. bm. A tribal school, as defined in s. 115.001 (15m).

49.26(1)(a)2.c. c. A technical college pursuant to a contract under s. 118.15 (2).

49.26(1)(a)2.d. d. A course of study meeting the standards established by the state superintendent of public instruction under s. 115.29 (4) for the granting of a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation.

49.26(1)(c) (c) A county department or Wisconsin works agency may provide services under this subsection directly or may contract with a nonprofit agency or a school district to provide the services.

49.26(1)(d) (d) A county department or Wisconsin Works agency that provides services under this subsection directly shall develop a plan, in coordination with the school districts located in whole or in part in the county, describing the assistance that the county department or Wisconsin Works agency and school districts will provide to individuals receiving services under this subsection, the number of individuals that will be served and the estimated cost of the services. The county department or Wisconsin Works agency shall submit the plan to the department and the department of public instruction by January 15, annually.

49.26(1)(e) (e) For an individual who is a recipient of aid under s. 49.19, or whose custodial parent is a participant under s. 49.147 (3) to (5), who is the parent with whom a dependent child lives and who is subject to the school attendance requirement under par. (ge), the department shall make a monthly payment to the individual or the child care provider for the month’s child care costs in an amount based on need with the maximum amount per child equal to the lesser of the actual cost of the care or the rate established under s. 49.155 (6) if the individual demonstrates the need to purchase child care services in order to attend school and those services are available from a child care provider.

49.26(1)(g) (g) An individual who is a dependent child in a Wisconsin Works group that includes a participant under s. 49.147 (3), (4), or (5) or who is a recipient of aid under s. 49.19 is subject to the school attendance requirement under par. (ge) if all of the following apply:

49.26(1)(g)1. 1. Before the first day of the fall 1994 school term, as defined in s. 115.001 (12), the individual is 13 to 17 years of age. Beginning on the first day of the fall 1997 school term, as defined in s. 115.001 (12), the individual is 6 to 17 years of age.

49.26(1)(g)2. 2. The individual has not graduated from a public, private, or tribal high school or obtained a declaration of equivalency of high school graduation under s. 115.29 (4).

49.26(1)(g)3. 3. The individual is not excused from attending school under s. 118.15 (3).

49.26(1)(g)4. 4. The individual is a parent or is residing with his or her natural or adoptive parent.

49.26(1)(g)5. 5. If the individual is the caretaker of a child, the child is at least 45 days old and child care is available for the child at the school or the school provides an instruction program for the caretaker at home.

49.26(1)(g)6. 6. If child care services are necessary in order for the individual to attend school, child care from a child care provider is available for the child and transportation to and from child care is also available.

49.26(1)(g)7. 7. The individual is not prohibited from attending school while an expulsion under s. 119.25 or 120.13 (1) is pending.

49.26(1)(g)8. 8. If the individual was expelled from a school under s. 119.25 or 120.13 (1), there is another school available which the individual can attend.

49.26(1)(g)10. 10. The individual does not have good cause for failing to attend school, as defined by the department by rule.

49.26(1)(g)11. 11. If the individual is the mother of a child, a physician has not determined that the individual should delay her return to school after giving birth.

49.26(1)(g)12. 12. If the individual is on a waiting list for a children-at-risk program under s. 118.153, a children-at-risk program that is appropriate for the individual is not available.

49.26(1)(ge) (ge)

49.26(1)(ge)1. 1. An individual fails to meet the school attendance requirement if the individual meets at least one of the following conditions:

49.26(1)(ge)1.a. a. The individual is either not enrolled in school or is a habitual truant.

49.26(1)(ge)1.b. b. During the immediately preceding semester, the individual was either not enrolled in school or was a habitual truant.

49.26(1)(ge)2. 2. The Wisconsin Works agency or county department shall verify school enrollment and attendance.

49.26(1)(gm) (gm)

49.26(1)(gm)1. 1. The following individuals who are subject to the school attendance requirement under the learnfare program are required to participate in case management under sub. (2) (b):

49.26(1)(gm)1.a. a. Minor parents.

49.26(1)(gm)1.b. b. Habitual truants.

49.26(1)(gm)1.c. c. Dropouts, as defined in s. 118.153 (1) (b), including individuals who were dropouts and reenrolled in school in the same or immediately succeeding semester in which they dropped out of school.

49.26(1)(gm)1.d. d. A child whose Wisconsin Works group includes a participant under s. 49.147 (3), (4), or (5) who has been unable to participate in activities required under s. 49.147 (3), (4), or (5) due to the child’s school-related problems.

49.26(1)(gm)2. 2. The department may, in accordance with rules promulgated by the department, sanction any individual specified under subd. 1. who fails to cooperate with case management efforts.

49.26(1)(h) (h)

49.26(1)(h)1. 1. An individual who fails to cooperate with case management efforts under par. (gm) is subject to sanctions as provided under subd. 1s. only if all of the following apply:

49.26(1)(h)1.as. as. The individual has failed to request a hearing or has failed to show good cause for not cooperating with case management efforts in a hearing. The hearing shall be requested and held under s. 49.152. The department shall determine by rule the criteria for good cause.

49.26(1)(h)1.b. b. The individual’s family fails to cooperate with the case manager or fails to engage in the activities identified by the case manager as being necessary to improve the individual’s school attendance.

49.26(1)(h)1.c. c. The individual continues to fail to meet the school attendance requirement under par. (ge).

49.26(1)(h)1s. 1s.

49.26(1)(h)1s.a. a. Except as provided under subd. 1s. b., an individual who fails to meet the school attendance requirement under par. (ge) is subject to sanctions determined by the department by rule.