Chapter 938

938.325 History History: 2021 a. 141.

subch. VI of ch. 938 SUBCHAPTER VI

DISPOSITION

938.33 938.33 Court reports.

938.33(1) (1) Report required. Before the disposition of a juvenile adjudged to be delinquent or in need of protection or services, the court shall designate an agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), to submit a report that contains all of the following:

938.33(1)(a) (a) The social history of the juvenile.

938.33(1)(b) (b) A recommended plan of rehabilitation or treatment and care for the juvenile, based on the investigation conducted by the agency and any report resulting from an examination or assessment under s. 938.295, that employs the most effective means available to accomplish the objectives of the plan.

938.33(1)(c) (c) A description of the specific services or continuum of services that the agency is recommending for the juvenile or family, the persons or agencies that would be primarily responsible for providing those services, and the identity of the person or agency that would provide case management or coordination of services, if any, and whether or not the juvenile should receive a coordinated services plan of care.

938.33(1)(d) (d) A statement of the objectives of the plan, including any desired behavior changes and the academic, social and vocational skills needed by the juvenile.

938.33(1)(e) (e) A plan for the provision of educational services to the juvenile, prepared after consultation with the staff of the school in which the juvenile is enrolled or the last school in which the juvenile was enrolled.

938.33(1)(f) (f) If the agency is recommending that the court order the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian to participate in mental health treatment, anger management, individual or family counseling, or parent training and education, a statement as to the availability of those services and the availability of funding for those services.

938.33(2) (2) Home placement reports. A report recommending that the juvenile remain in his or her home may be presented orally at the dispositional hearing if all parties consent. A report that is presented orally shall be transcribed and made a part of the court record.

938.33(3) (3) Correctional placement reports. A report recommending placement of a juvenile in a juvenile correctional facility or a secured residential care center for children and youth shall be in writing, except that the report may be presented orally at the dispositional hearing if the juvenile and the juvenile’s counsel consent. A report that is presented orally shall be transcribed and made a part of the court record. In addition to the information specified under sub. (1) (a) to (d), the report shall include all of the following:

938.33(3)(a) (a) A description of any less restrictive alternatives that are available and that have been considered, and why they have been determined to be inappropriate. If the court has found that any of the conditions specified in s. 938.34 (4m) (b) 1., 2., or 3. applies, the report shall indicate that a less restrictive alternative than placement in a juvenile correctional facility or a secured residential care center for children and youth is not appropriate.

938.33(3)(b) (b) A recommendation for an amount of child support to be paid by either or both of the juvenile’s parents or for referral to the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) for the establishment of child support.

938.33(3r) (3r) Serious juvenile offender report. If a juvenile has been adjudicated delinquent for committing a violation for which the juvenile may be placed in the serious juvenile offender program under s. 938.34 (4h) (a), the report shall be in writing and, in addition to the information specified in sub. (1) and in sub. (3) or (4), if applicable, shall include an analysis of the juvenile’s suitability for placement in the serious juvenile offender program under s. 938.34 (4h) or in a secured residential care center for children and youth under s. 938.34 (4m), a placement specified in s. 938.34 (3), or placement in the juvenile’s home with supervision and community-based programming and a recommendation as to the type of placement for which the juvenile is best suited.

938.33(4) (4) Other out-of-home placements. A report recommending placement in a foster home, group home, or nonsecured residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, in the home of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), or in a supervised independent living arrangement shall be in writing, except that the report may be presented orally at the dispositional hearing if all parties consent. A report that is presented orally shall be transcribed and made a part of the court record. The report shall include all of the following:

938.33(4)(a) (a) A permanency plan prepared under s. 938.38.

938.33(4)(b) (b) A recommendation for an amount of child support to be paid by either or both of the juvenile’s parents or for referral to the county child support agency under s. 59.53 (5) for the establishment of child support.

938.33(4)(c) (c) Specific information showing that continued placement of the juvenile in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the juvenile, specific information showing that the county department or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the juvenile from the home, while assuring that the juvenile’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, unless any of the circumstances specified in s. 938.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 4. applies, and, if a permanency plan has previously been prepared for the juvenile, specific information showing that the county department or agency has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency goal of the juvenile’s permanency plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement.

938.33(4)(cm) (cm) A statement indicating whether the recommended placement is certified under s. 48.675.

938.33(4)(cr) (cr)

938.33(4)(cr)1. 1. If the report recommends placement of a juvenile in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility certified under s. 48.675, except as provided in subd. 2., the report shall contain the results of the standardized assessment and the recommendation of the qualified individual who conducted the standardized assessment, including all of the following:

938.33(4)(cr)1.a. a. Whether the proposed placement will provide the juvenile with the most effective and appropriate level of care in the least restrictive environment.

938.33(4)(cr)1.b. b. How the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the juvenile, as specified in the permanency plan.

938.33(4)(cr)1.c. c. The reasons why the juvenile’s needs can or cannot be met by the juvenile’s family or in a foster home. A shortage or lack of foster homes is not an acceptable reason for determining that the juvenile’s needs cannot be met in a foster home.

938.33(4)(cr)1.d. d. The placement preference of the family permanency team under s. 938.38 (3m) and, if that preference is not the placement recommended by the qualified individual, why that recommended placement is not preferred.

938.33(4)(cr)2. 2. If the information under subd. 1. is not available at the time of the report, the agency shall submit it by the date of the dispositional hearing or, if it is not available on that date, no later than 30 days after the date on which the placement was made.

938.33(4)(d) (d)

938.33(4)(d)1. 1. If the juvenile has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 938.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been removed from the home or for whom an out-of-home placement is recommended, specific information showing that the county department or agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile has made reasonable efforts to place the juvenile in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the county department or agency recommends that the juvenile and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, in which case the report shall include specific information showing that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the juvenile or any of those siblings and the specific information required under subd. 2.

938.33(4)(d)2. 2. If a recommendation is made that the juvenile and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, specific information showing that the county department or agency has made reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the juvenile and the siblings, unless the county department or agency recommends that such visitation or interaction not be provided, in which case the report shall include specific information showing that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the juvenile or any of those siblings.

938.33(4)(dm) (dm) In the case of a proceeding under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), if the agency knows or has reason to know that the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is being removed from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian, a description of any efforts undertaken to determine whether the juvenile is an Indian juvenile; specific information showing that continued custody of the juvenile by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the juvenile, under s. 938.028 (4) (d) 1.; specific information showing that active efforts under s. 938.028 (4) (d) 2. have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian juvenile’s family and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful; a statement as to whether the out-of-home care placement recommended is in compliance with the order of placement preference under s. 938.028 (6) (a) or, if applicable, s. 938.028 (6) (b); and, if the recommended placement is not in compliance with that order, specific information showing good cause, as described in s. 938.028 (6) (d), for departing from that order.

938.33(4m) (4m) Support recommendations; information to parents. In making a recommendation for an amount of child support under sub. (3) or (4), the agency shall consider the factors under s. 301.12 (14) (c). At or before the dispositional hearing under s. 938.335, the agency shall provide the juvenile’s parent with all of the following:

938.33(4m)(a) (a) Its recommendation for child support.

938.33(4m)(b) (b) A written explanation of how the parent may request that the court modify the amount of child support under s. 301.12 (14) (c).

938.33(4m)(c) (c) A written explanation of how the parent may request a revision under s. 938.363 in the amount of child support ordered by the court under s. 938.355 (2) (b) 4.

938.33(5) (5) Identity of foster parent; confidentiality. If the report recommends placement in a foster home, and the name of the foster parent is not available at the time the report is filed, the agency shall provide the court and the juvenile’s parent or guardian with the name and address of the foster parent within 21 days after the dispositional order is entered, except that the court may order the information withheld from the juvenile’s parent or guardian if the court finds that disclosure would result in imminent danger to the juvenile or to the foster parent. After notifying the juvenile’s parent or guardian, the court shall hold a hearing prior to ordering the information withheld.

938.33(6) (6) Retention. Reports submitted under this section shall be retained in the record of the pending action, which shall be made available to the agency that is designated to supervise the juvenile under a disposition under s. 938.34 or a change of placement order under s. 938.357.

938.33 History History: 1995 a. 77, 417; 1997 a. 27, 35, 237, 252; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 59, 109; 2005 a. 25, 344; 2009 a. 28, 79, 94, 185, 334; 2011 a. 181, 258; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 165, 334; 2019 a. 8; 2021 a. 42; 2023 a. 119.

938.33 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. DCF 80.04, Wis. adm. code.

938.331 938.331 Court reports; effect on victim. If the delinquent act would constitute a felony if committed by an adult, the person preparing the report under s. 938.33 (1) shall attempt to determine the economic, physical and psychological effect of the delinquent act on the victim, as defined in s. 938.02 (20m) (a) 1. and 4. The person preparing the report may ask any appropriate person for information. This section does not preclude the person who prepares the report from including any information for the court concerning the impact of a delinquent act on the victim. If the delinquent act would not constitute a felony but a victim, as defined in s. 938.02 (20m) (a) 1., has suffered bodily harm or the act involved theft or damage to property, the person preparing the report is encouraged to seek the information described in this section.

938.331 History History: 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 181.

938.335 938.335 Dispositional hearings.

938.335(1) (1) When required. The court shall conduct a hearing to determine the disposition of a case in which a juvenile is adjudged to be delinquent under s. 938.12, to have violated a civil law or ordinance under s. 938.125, or to be in need of protection or services under s. 938.13, except that the court shall proceed under s. 938.237 (2) if a citation is issued and the juvenile fails to contest the citation.

938.335(3) (3) Evidence and recommendations. At hearings under this section, any party may present evidence relevant to the issue of disposition, including expert testimony, and may make alternative dispositional recommendations.

938.335(3g) (3g) Reasonable efforts finding. At hearings under this section, if the agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), is recommending placement of the juvenile in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, in the home of like-kin, in the home of a guardian under s. 48.977 (2), or in a supervised independent living arrangement, the agency shall present as evidence specific information showing all of the following:

938.335(3g)(a) (a) That continued placement of the juvenile in his or her home would be contrary to the welfare of the juvenile.

938.335(3g)(b) (b) That the county department or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile has made reasonable efforts to prevent the removal of the juvenile from the home, while assuring that the juvenile’s health and safety are the paramount concerns, unless any of the circumstances specified in s. 938.355 (2d) (b) 1. to 4. applies.

938.335(3g)(c) (c) That, if a permanency plan has previously been prepared for the juvenile, the county department or agency has made reasonable efforts to achieve the permanency goal of the juvenile’s permanency plan, including, if appropriate, through an out-of-state placement.

938.335(3g)(d) (d)

938.335(3g)(d)1. 1. If the juvenile has one or more siblings, as defined in s. 938.38 (4) (br) 1., who have been removed from the home or for whom an out-of-home placement is recommended, that the county department or agency has made reasonable efforts to place the juvenile in a placement that enables the sibling group to remain together, unless the county department or agency recommends that the juvenile and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, in which case the county department or agency shall present as evidence specific information showing that a joint placement would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the juvenile or any of those siblings and the specific information required under subd. 2.

938.335(3g)(d)2. 2. If a recommendation is made that the juvenile and his or her siblings not be placed in a joint placement, that the county department or agency has made reasonable efforts to provide for frequent visitation or other ongoing interaction between the juvenile and the siblings, unless the county department or agency recommends that such visitation or interaction not be provided, in which case the county department or agency shall present as evidence specific information showing that such visitation or interaction would be contrary to the safety or well-being of the juvenile or any of those siblings.

938.335(3j) (3j) Indian juvenile; active efforts finding. At hearings under this section involving an Indian juvenile who is the subject of a proceeding under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), if the agency, as defined in s. 938.38 (1) (a), is recommending removal of the Indian juvenile from the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian and placement of the Indian juvenile in a foster home, group home, or residential care center for children and youth, in the home of a relative other than a parent, or in the home of like-kin, the agency shall present as evidence specific information showing all of the following:

938.335(3j)(a) (a) That continued custody of the Indian juvenile by the parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the Indian juvenile under s. 938.028 (4) (d) 1.

938.335(3j)(b) (b) That active efforts under s. 938.028 (4) (d) 2. have been made to prevent the breakup of the Indian juvenile’s family and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful.

938.335(3j)(c) (c) That the placement recommended is in compliance with the order of placement preference under s. 938.028 (6) (a) or, if applicable, s. 938.028 (6) (b) or, if that placement is not in compliance with that order, good cause, as described in s. 938.028 (6) (d), for departing from that order.

938.335(3m) (3m) Victims’ statements. Before imposing a disposition in a proceeding in which a juvenile is adjudged to be delinquent under s. 938.12 or is found to be in need of protection or services under s. 938.13 (12), all of the following shall occur:

938.335(3m)(ag) (ag) The court shall determine whether a victim of the juvenile’s act wants to make a statement to the court. If a victim wants to make a statement, the court shall allow the victim to make a statement in court or to submit a written statement to be read to the court. The court may allow any other person to make or submit a statement under this paragraph. Any statement made under this paragraph must be relevant to the disposition.

938.335(3m)(am) (am) The court shall inquire of the district attorney or corporation counsel whether he or she has complied with par. (b) and s. 938.27 (4m), whether any of the known victims requested notice of the date, time, and place of the dispositional hearing, and, if so, whether the district attorney or corporation counsel provided to the victim notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing.

938.335(3m)(b) (b) The district attorney or corporation counsel shall make a reasonable attempt to contact any known victim to inform that person of the right to make a statement under par. (ag). Any failure to comply with this paragraph is not a ground for an appeal of a dispositional order or for any court to reverse or modify a dispositional order.

938.335(3r) (3r) Child support. At hearings under this section, a parent of the juvenile may present evidence relevant to the amount of child support to be paid by either or both parents.

938.335(5) (5) Dispositional order. At the conclusion of the hearing, the court shall make a dispositional order in accordance with s. 938.355.

938.335(6) (6) Juvenile placed outside the home. If the dispositional order places the juvenile outside the home, the parent, if present at the hearing, shall be requested to provide the names and other identifying information of 3 relatives of the juvenile or other individuals 18 years of age or over whose homes the parent requests the court to consider as placements for the juvenile, unless that information has previously been provided under s. 938.21 (2) (e) or (3) (f). If the parent does not provide that information at the hearing, the county department or the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile under the dispositional order shall permit the parent to provide the information at a later date.

938.335 History History: 1995 a. 77; 1997 a. 181, 252; 2001 a. 109; 2005 a. 344; 2009 a. 28, 79, 94, 185; 2011 a. 181, 258; 2013 a. 165, 334; 2021 a. 141; 2023 a. 119.

938.34 938.34 Disposition of juvenile adjudged delinquent. If the court adjudges a juvenile delinquent, the court shall enter an order deciding one or more of the dispositions of the case as provided in this section under a care and treatment plan. A disposition under sub. (4m) must be combined with a disposition under sub. (4n). In deciding the dispositions for a juvenile who is adjudicated delinquent, the court shall consider the seriousness of the act for which the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent and may consider any other delinquent act that is read into the record and dismissed at the time of the adjudication. The dispositions under this section are:

938.34(1) (1) Counseling. Counsel the juvenile or the parent, guardian or legal custodian.

938.34(2) (2) Supervision.

938.34(2)(a) (a) Place the juvenile under the supervision of an agency, the county department, or a suitable adult, including a friend of the juvenile, under conditions prescribed by the court, including reasonable rules for the juvenile’s conduct, designed for the physical, mental, and moral well-being and behavior of the juvenile.

938.34(2)(b) (b) If the juvenile is placed in the juvenile’s home under the supervision of an agency or the county department, order that agency or department to provide specified services to the juvenile and the juvenile’s family, including individual, family, or group counseling, homemaker or parent aide services, respite care, housing assistance, child care, or parent skills training.

938.34(2)(c) (c) Order the juvenile to remain at his or her home or other placement for a period of not more than 30 days under rules of supervision specified in the order.

938.34(2g) (2g) Volunteers in probation program. If the juvenile is adjudicated delinquent for the commission of an act that would constitute a misdemeanor if committed by an adult, if the chief judge of the judicial administrative district has approved under s. 973.11 (2) a volunteers in probation program established in the juvenile’s county of residence, and if the court determines that volunteer supervision under that program will likely benefit the juvenile and the community, place the juvenile with the volunteers in probation program under conditions the court determines are reasonable and appropriate. These conditions may include any of the following:

938.34(2g)(a) (a) A directive to a volunteer to be a role model for the juvenile, informal counseling, general monitoring, monitoring of the conditions established by the court, or any combination of these functions.

938.34(2g)(b) (b) Any other disposition that the court may impose under this section.

938.34(2m) (2m) Teen court program. Order the juvenile to be placed in a teen court program if all of the following conditions apply:

938.34(2m)(a) (a) The chief judge of the judicial administrative district has approved a teen court program established in the juvenile’s county of residence and the court determines that participation in the teen court program will likely benefit the juvenile and the community.

938.34(2m)(b) (b) The juvenile is alleged to have committed a delinquent act that would be a misdemeanor if committed by an adult.

938.34(2m)(c) (c) The juvenile admits or pleads no contest in open court, in the presence of the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian, to the allegations that the juvenile committed the delinquent act.

938.34(2m)(d) (d) The juvenile has not successfully completed participation in a teen court program during the 2 years before the date of the alleged delinquent act.

938.34(2r) (2r) Intensive supervision. Order the juvenile to participate in an intensive supervision program under s. 938.534.

938.34(3) (3) Placement. Designate one of the following as the placement for the juvenile:

938.34(3)(a) (a) The home of a parent, other relative, or like-kin of the juvenile, except that the court may not designate any of the following as the juvenile’s placement, unless the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would be in the best interests of the juvenile or, in the case of an Indian juvenile, the best interests of the Indian juvenile as described in s. 938.01 (3):

938.34(3)(a)1. 1. The home of a parent, other relative, or like-kin of the juvenile if the parent, other relative, or like-kin has been convicted of the homicide of a parent of the juvenile under s. 940.01 or 940.05, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside, or vacated. In determining whether a placement under this subdivision would be in the best interests of the juvenile, the court shall consider the wishes of the juvenile.

938.34(3)(a)2. 2. The home of a relative other than the parent of the juvenile or the home of like-kin if the court finds that the relative or like-kin has been convicted of, has pleaded no contest to, or has had a charge dismissed or amended as a result of a plea agreement for a crime under s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.

938.34 Note NOTE: Par. (a) is shown as amended by 2023 Wis. Acts 119 and 224 and as merged by the legislative reference bureau under s. 13.92 (2) (i).

938.34(3)(b) (b) The home of a person who is not required to be licensed if placement is for less than 30 days, except that the court may not designate any of the following as the juvenile’s placement, unless the court determines by clear and convincing evidence that the placement would be in the best interests of the juvenile or, in the case of an Indian juvenile, the best interests of the Indian juvenile as described in s. 938.01 (3):

938.34(3)(b)1. 1. The home of a person who is not required to be licensed if the court finds that the person has been convicted of the homicide of a parent of the juvenile under s. 940.01 or 940.05, and the conviction has not been reversed, set aside, or vacated. In determining whether a placement under this subdivision would be in the best interests of the juvenile, the court shall consider the wishes of the juvenile.

938.34(3)(b)2. 2. The home of a person who is not required to be licensed if the court finds that the person has been convicted of, has pleaded no contest to, or has had a charge dismissed or amended as a result of a plea agreement for a crime under s. 948.02 (1) or (2), 948.025, 948.03 (2) or (5) (a) 1., 2., 3., or 4., 948.05, 948.051, 948.055, 948.06, 948.07, 948.08, 948.081, 948.085, 948.11 (2) (a) or (am), 948.12, 948.125, 948.13, 948.21, 948.215, 948.30, or 948.53, or a similar law of another state.

938.34(3)(c) (c) A foster home licensed under s. 48.62 or a group home licensed under s. 48.625.

938.34(3)(cm) (cm) A group home described in s. 48.625 (1m) if the juvenile is at least 12 years of age, is a custodial parent, as defined in s. 49.141 (1) (b), or an expectant mother, is receiving inadequate care, and is in need of a safe and structured living arrangement.