Chapter 938

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 court shall notify the juvenile; the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; and the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the juvenile is living, or the relative with whom the juvenile is living of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing, of the issues to be determined at the hearing, and of the fact that they shall have a right to be heard at the hearing as provided in par. (c) 1. The court shall notify the juvenile’s counsel and the juvenile’s guardian ad litem; the agency that prepared the permanency plan; the juvenile’s school; the person representing the interests of the public; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe of the time, place, and purpose of the hearing, of the issues to be determined at the hearing, and of the fact that they may have an opportunity to be heard at the hearing as provided in par. (c) 1. The notices under this paragraph shall be provided in writing not less than 30 days before the hearing. The notice to the juvenile’s school shall also include the name and contact information for the caseworker or social worker assigned to the juvenile’s case.

938.38(5m)(c) (c)

938.38(5m)(c)1. 1. A juvenile, parent, guardian, legal custodian, foster parent, operator of a facility, relative, or like-kin who is provided notice of the hearing under par. (b) shall have a right to be heard at the hearing by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the hearing or by participating at the hearing. A counsel, guardian ad litem, agency, school, or person representing the interests of the public who is provided notice of the hearing under par. (b) may have an opportunity to be heard at the hearing by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the hearing or by participating at the hearing. A foster parent, operator of a facility, relative, or like-kin who receives notice of a hearing under par. (b) and a right to be heard under this subdivision does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and right to be heard.

Effective date note NOTE: Subd. 1. 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 subd. 1. reads:

Effective date text 1. A juvenile, parent, guardian, legal custodian, foster parent, operator of a facility, or relative who is provided notice of the hearing under par. (b) shall have a right to be heard at the hearing by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the hearing or by participating at the hearing. A counsel, guardian ad litem, agency, school, or person representing the interests of the public who is provided notice of the hearing under par. (b) may have an opportunity to be heard at the hearing by submitting written comments relevant to the determinations specified in sub. (5) (c) not less than 10 working days before the date of the hearing or by participating at the hearing. A foster parent, operator of a facility, or relative who receives notice of a hearing under par. (b) and a right to be heard under this subdivision does not become a party to the proceeding on which the hearing is held solely on the basis of receiving that notice and right to be heard.

938.38(5m)(c)2. 2. If the juvenile’s permanency plan includes a statement under sub. (4) (i) indicating that the juvenile’s age and developmental level are sufficient for the court to consult with the juvenile regarding the juvenile’s permanency plan or if, notwithstanding a decision under sub. (4) (i) that it would not be appropriate for the court to consult with the juvenile, the court determines that consultation with the juvenile would be in the best interests of the juvenile, the court shall consult with the juvenile, in an age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate manner, regarding the juvenile’s permanency plan and any other matters the court finds appropriate. If none of those circumstances apply, the court may permit the juvenile’s caseworker, the juvenile’s counsel, or, subject to s. 938.235 (3) (a), the juvenile’s guardian ad litem to make a written or oral statement during the hearing, or to submit a written statement prior to the hearing, expressing the juvenile’s wishes, goals, and concerns regarding the permanency plan and those matters. If the court permits such a written or oral statement to be made or submitted, the court may nonetheless require the juvenile to be physically present at the hearing.

938.38(5m)(c)3. 3. If the permanency goal of the juvenile’s permanency plan is placement of the juvenile in a planned permanent living arrangement described in sub. (4) (fg) 5., the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall present to the court specific information showing that intensive and ongoing efforts were made by the agency, including searching social media, to return the juvenile to the juvenile’s home or to place the juvenile for adoption, with a guardian, or with a fit and willing relative and that those efforts have proved unsuccessful and specific information showing the steps taken by the agency, including consultation with the juvenile, to ascertain whether the juvenile has regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities and to ensure that the juvenile’s caregiver is applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard to decisions concerning the juvenile’s participation in those activities. In addition, at the hearing the court shall consult with the juvenile about the permanency outcome desired by the juvenile.

938.38(5m)(c)4. 4. If the juvenile is placed in a qualified residential treatment program, the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall present to the court specific information showing all of the following, which the court shall consider when determining the continuing necessity for and the safety and appropriateness of the placement under sub. (5) (c) 1.:

938.38(5m)(c)4.a. a. Whether ongoing assessment of the strengths and needs of the juvenile continues to support the determination that the needs of the juvenile cannot be met through placement in a foster home, whether the placement in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the juvenile in the least restrictive environment, and how the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the juvenile, as specified in the juvenile’s permanency plan.

938.38(5m)(c)4.b. b. The specific treatment or service needs that will be met for the juvenile in the placement and the length of the time the juvenile is expected to need the treatment or services.

938.38(5m)(c)4.c. c. The efforts made by the agency to prepare the juvenile to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing relative, a guardian, or an adoptive parent or in a foster home.

938.38(5m)(d) (d) At least 5 days before the date of the hearing the agency that prepared the permanency plan shall provide a copy of the permanency plan, any information submitted under par. (c) 4., and any written comments submitted under par. (c) 1. to the court, to the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian, to the person representing the interests of the public, to the juvenile’s counsel or guardian ad litem, and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), to the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe. Notwithstanding s. 938.78 (2) (a), the person representing the interests of the public, the juvenile’s counsel or guardian ad litem, and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe may have access to any other records concerning the juvenile for the purpose of participating in the review. A person permitted access to a juvenile’s records under this paragraph may not disclose any information from the records to any other person.

938.38(5m)(e) (e) After the hearing, the court shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law relating to the determinations under sub. (5) (c) and shall provide a copy of those findings of fact and conclusions of law to the juvenile; the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the juvenile is living, or the relative or like-kin with whom the juvenile is living; the agency that prepared the permanency plan; the person representing the interests of the public; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe. The court shall make the findings specified in sub. (5) (c) 7. on a case-by-case basis based on circumstances specific to the juvenile and shall document or reference the specific information on which those findings are based in the findings of fact and conclusions of law prepared under this paragraph. Findings of fact and conclusions of law that merely reference sub. (5) (c) 7. without documenting or referencing that specific information in the findings of fact and conclusions of law or amended findings of fact and conclusions of law that retroactively correct earlier findings of fact and conclusions of law that do not comply with this paragraph are not sufficient to comply with this paragraph.

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

Effective date text (e) After the hearing, the court shall make written findings of fact and conclusions of law relating to the determinations under sub. (5) (c) and shall provide a copy of those findings of fact and conclusions of law to the juvenile; the juvenile’s parent, guardian, and legal custodian; the juvenile’s foster parent, the operator of the facility in which the juvenile is living, or the relative with whom the juvenile is living; the agency that prepared the permanency plan; the person representing the interests of the public; and, if the juvenile is an Indian juvenile who is placed outside the home of his or her parent or Indian custodian under s. 938.13 (4), (6), (6m), or (7), the Indian juvenile’s Indian custodian and tribe. The court shall make the findings specified in sub. (5) (c) 7. on a case-by-case basis based on circumstances specific to the juvenile and shall document or reference the specific information on which those findings are based in the findings of fact and conclusions of law prepared under this paragraph. Findings of fact and conclusions of law that merely reference sub. (5) (c) 7. without documenting or referencing that specific information in the findings of fact and conclusions of law or amended findings of fact and conclusions of law that retroactively correct earlier findings of fact and conclusions of law that do not comply with this paragraph are not sufficient to comply with this paragraph.

938.38(5m)(f) (f) If the findings of fact and conclusions of law under par. (e) conflict with the juvenile’s dispositional order or provide for any additional services not specified in the dispositional order, the court shall revise the dispositional order under s. 938.363, order a change in placement under s. 938.357, or order a trial reunification under s. 938.358, as appropriate.

938.38(6) (6) Rules. The department shall promulgate rules establishing the following:

938.38(6)(a) (a) Procedures for conducting permanency reviews.

938.38(6)(b) (b) Requirements for training review panels.

938.38(6)(c) (c) Standards for reasonable efforts to prevent placement of juveniles outside of their homes, while assuring that their health and safety are the paramount concerns, and to make it possible for juveniles to return safely to their homes if they have been placed outside of their homes.

938.38(6)(d) (d) The format for permanency plans and review panel reports.

938.38(6)(e) (e) Standards and guidelines for decisions regarding the placement of juveniles.

938.38 History History: 1995 a. 77, 275, 352; 1997 a. 35, 237, 296; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 59, 69, 109; 2003 a. 321; 2005 a. 156, 344, 448; 2007 a. 20, 97; 2009 a. 28, 79, 94, 185; 2011 a. 32, 181, 258; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 165, 334, 335; 2015 a. 55, 128, 373; 2017 a. 251; 2017 a. 364 s. 49; 2017 a. 365; 2021 a. 42; 2021 a. 240 s. 30; 2023 a. 119.

938.38 Annotation The time limits in sub. (3) are not a prerequisite to trial court jurisdiction. Interest of Scott Y., 175 Wis. 2d 222, 499 N.W.2d 219 (Ct. App. 1993).

938.38 Note NOTE: The above annotation cites to s. 48.38, the predecessor statute to s. 938.38.

938.383 938.383 Reasonable and prudent parent standard.

938.383(1) (1) Use of standard by out-of-home care providers. An out-of-home care provider shall use the reasonable and prudent parent standard in making decisions concerning a juvenile’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. In making decisions using the reasonable and prudent parent standard, an out-of-home care provider shall consider the restrictiveness of the juvenile’s placement and whether the juvenile has the necessary training and safety equipment to safely participate in the activity under consideration and may not make any decision that is in violation of any court order or any state or federal law, rule, or regulation.

938.383(2) (2) Juvenile-specific considerations required.

938.383(2)(a) (a) At the time of placement of a juvenile with an out-of-home care provider, the agency that places, or that arranges the placement of, the juvenile or the agency assigned primary responsibility for providing services to the juvenile under s. 938.355 (2) (b) 6g. provide to the out-of-home care provider the information that is required to be provided to an out-of-home care provider under the rules promulgated under s. 895.485 (4) (a) and information that is specific to the juvenile for the out-of-home care provider to consider in making reasonable and prudent parenting decisions concerning the juvenile’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. In preparing that information or any revisions of that information, the agency shall do all of the following:

938.383(2)(a)1. 1. If reasonably possible to do so, consult with the juvenile’s parent and other members of the juvenile’s family concerning the juvenile’s participation in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities and the juvenile’s cultural, religious, and tribal values and advise the parent that those values will be considered, but will not necessarily be the determining factor, in making decisions concerning the juvenile’s participation in those activities.

938.383(2)(a)2. 2. Consult with the juvenile in an age-appropriate manner about the opportunities of the juvenile to participate in age or developmentally appropriate activities.

938.383(2)(b) (b) At the time of placement of a juvenile with an out-of-home care provider, the agency providing the information under par. (a) shall explain to the out-of-home care provider the parameters of the considerations that the out-of-home care provider is required to take into account when making decisions concerning the juvenile’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. In explaining those parameters, the agency shall explain the considerations and prohibitions specified in sub. (1) and shall advise the out-of-home care provider that in case of any disagreement over the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard, the agency having placement and care responsibility for the juvenile is ultimately responsible for decisions concerning the care of the juvenile.

938.383(2)(c) (c) In preparing or revising the permanency plan for a juvenile, the agency responsible for preparing or revising the permanency plan shall consult with the juvenile and the juvenile’s parent as provided in par. (a) 1. and 2. At the time the permanency plan is prepared and each time the permanency plan is revised, that agency shall explain to the out-of-home care provider the parameters of the considerations that the out-of-home care provider is required to take into account when making decisions concerning the juvenile’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities as provided in par. (b).

938.383(3) (3) Rules. The department of children and families shall promulgate rules to implement this section.

938.383 History History: 2015 a. 128.

938.385 938.385 Plan for transition to independent living. During the 90 days immediately before a juvenile who is placed 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, or in a supervised independent living arrangement attains 18 years of age or, if the juvenile is placed in such a placement under an order under s. 938.355, 938.357, or 938.365 that terminates under s. 938.355 (4) (am) after the juvenile attains 18 years of age or under a voluntary transition-to-independent-living agreement under s. 938.366 (3) that terminates under s. 938.366 (3) (a) after the juvenile attains 18 years of age, during the 90 days immediately before the termination of the order or agreement, the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile under the order or agreement shall do all of the following:

Effective date note NOTE: Section 938.385 (intro.) 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 s. 938.385 (intro.) reads:

938.385 Note 938.385 Plan for transition to independent living. During the 90 days immediately before a juvenile who is placed 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 a supervised independent living arrangement attains 18 years of age or, if the juvenile is placed in such a placement under an order under s. 938.355, 938.357, or 938.365 that terminates under s. 938.355 (4) (am) after the juvenile attains 18 years of age or under a voluntary transition-to-independent-living agreement under s. 938.366 (3) that terminates under s. 938.366 (3) (a) after the juvenile attains 18 years of age, during the 90 days immediately before the termination of the order or agreement, the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the juvenile under the order or agreement shall do all of the following:

938.385(1) (1) Transition plan. Provide the juvenile with assistance and support in developing a plan for making the transition from out-of-home care to independent living. The transition plan shall be personalized at the direction of the juvenile, shall be as detailed as the juvenile directs, and shall include specific options for obtaining housing, health care, education, mentoring and continuing support services, and workforce support and employment services.

938.385(2) (2) Identification documents and other information. Except as provided in this subsection, ensure that the juvenile is in possession of a certified copy of the juvenile’s birth record, a social security card issued by the federal social security administration, information on maintaining health care coverage, a copy of the juvenile’s health care records, and either an operator’s license issued under ch. 343 or an identification card issued under s. 343.50. If the juvenile is not in possession of any of those documents or that information, the agency shall assist the juvenile in obtaining any missing document or information. This subsection does not apply to a juvenile who has been placed in out-of-home care for less than 6 months.

938.385 History History: 2013 a. 334; 2015 a. 55, 128; 2017 a. 334; 2023 a. 119.

938.39 938.39 Disposition by court bars criminal proceeding. Disposition by the court of any violation of state law within its jurisdiction under s. 938.12 bars any future criminal proceeding on the same matter in circuit court when the juvenile reaches the age of 17. This section does not affect criminal proceedings in circuit court that were transferred under s. 938.18.

938.39 History History: 1995 a. 77; 2005 a. 344.

938.39 Annotation The extension of a previously entered dispositional order due to the juvenile’s participation in an armed robbery while subject to the order was not a “disposition” of the armed robbery charge, and the subsequent prosecution of the armed robbery charge in adult court did not violate s. 48.39 [now s. 938.39] or the constitutional protection against double jeopardy. State v. Stephens, 201 Wis. 2d 82, 548 N.W.2d 108 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-2103.

938.396 938.396 Records.

938.396(1) (1) Law enforcement records.

938.396(1)(a) (a) Confidentiality. Law enforcement agency records of juveniles shall be kept separate from records of adults. Law enforcement agency records of juveniles may not be open to inspection or their contents disclosed except under par. (b) or (c), sub. (1j), (2m) (c) 1p., or (10), or s. 938.293 or by order of the court.

938.396(1)(b) (b) Applicability. Paragraph (a) does not apply to any of the following:

938.396(1)(b)1. 1. The disclosure of information to representatives of the news media who wish to obtain information for the purpose of reporting news. A representative of the news media who obtains information under this subdivision may not reveal the identity of the juvenile involved.

938.396(1)(b)2. 2. The confidential exchange of information between a law enforcement agency and officials of the public or private school attended by the juvenile. A public school official who obtains information under this subdivision shall keep the information confidential as required under s. 118.125, and a private school official who obtains information under this subdivision shall keep the information confidential in the same manner as is required of a public school official under s. 118.125.

938.396(1)(b)2m. 2m. The confidential exchange of information between a law enforcement agency and officials of the tribal school attended by the juvenile if the law enforcement agency determines that enforceable protections are provided by a tribal school policy or tribal law that requires tribal school officials to keep the information confidential in a manner at least as stringent as is required of a public school official under s. 118.125.

938.396(1)(b)3. 3. The confidential exchange of information between a law enforcement agency and another law enforcement agency. A law enforcement agency that obtains information under this subdivision shall keep the information confidential as required under par. (a) and s. 48.396 (1).

938.396(1)(b)4. 4. The confidential exchange of information between a law enforcement agency and a social welfare agency. A social welfare agency that obtains information under this subdivision shall keep the information confidential as required under ss. 48.78 and 938.78.

938.396(1)(b)5. 5. The disclosure of information relating to a juvenile 10 years of age or over who is subject to the jurisdiction of a court of criminal jurisdiction.

938.396(1)(c) (c) Exceptions. Notwithstanding par. (a), law enforcement agency records of juveniles may be disclosed as follows:

938.396(1)(c)1. 1. If requested by the parent, guardian or legal custodian of a juvenile who is the subject of a law enforcement officer’s report, or if requested by the juvenile, if 14 years of age or over, a law enforcement agency may, subject to official agency policy, provide to the parent, guardian, legal custodian or juvenile a copy of that report.

938.396(1)(c)2. 2. Upon the written permission of the parent, guardian or legal custodian of a juvenile who is the subject of a law enforcement officer’s report or upon the written permission of the juvenile, if 14 years of age or over, a law enforcement agency may, subject to official agency policy, make available to the person named in the permission any reports specifically identified by the parent, guardian, legal custodian or juvenile in the written permission.

938.396(1)(c)3. 3. At the request of a school district administrator, administrator of a private school, or administrator of a tribal school, or designee of a school district administrator, private school administrator, or tribal school administrator, or on its own initiative, a law enforcement agency may, subject to official agency policy, provide to the school district administrator, private school administrator, or tribal school administrator or designee, for use as provided in s. 118.127, any information in its records relating to any of the following if the official agency policy specifies that the information may not be provided to an administrator of a tribal school or a tribal school administrator’s designee unless the governing body of the tribal school agrees that the information will be used by the tribal school as provided in s. 118.127:

938.396(1)(c)3.a. a. The use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or a controlled substance or controlled substance analog by a juvenile enrolled in the public school district, private school, or tribal school.

938.396(1)(c)3.b. b. The illegal possession by a juvenile of a dangerous weapon, as defined in s. 939.22 (10).

938.396(1)(c)3.c. c. An act for which a juvenile enrolled in the school district, private school, or tribal school was taken into custody under s. 938.19 based on a law enforcement officer’s belief that the juvenile was committing or had committed a violation of any state or federal criminal law.

938.396(1)(c)3.d. d. An act for which a juvenile enrolled in the public school district, private school, or tribal school was adjudged delinquent.

938.396(1)(c)4. 4. A law enforcement agency may enter into an interagency agreement with a school board, a private school, a tribal school, a social welfare agency, or another law enforcement agency providing for the routine disclosure of information under subs. (1) (b) 2. and 2m. and (c) 3. to the school board, private school, tribal school, social welfare agency, or other law enforcement agency.

938.396(1)(c)5. 5. If requested by a victim of a juvenile’s act, a law enforcement agency may, subject to official agency policy, disclose to the victim any information in its records relating to the injury, loss or damage suffered by the victim, including the name and address of the juvenile and the juvenile’s parents. The victim may use and further disclose the information only for the purpose of recovering for the injury, damage or loss suffered as a result of the juvenile’s act.

938.396(1)(c)6. 6. If requested by the victim-witness coordinator, a law enforcement agency shall disclose to the victim-witness coordinator any information in its records relating to the enforcement of rights under the constitution, this chapter, and s. 950.04 or the provision of services under s. 950.06 (1m), including the name and address of the juvenile and the juvenile’s parents. The victim-witness coordinator may use the information only for the purpose of enforcing those rights and providing those services and may make that information available only as necessary to ensure that victims and witnesses of crimes, as defined in s. 950.02 (1m), receive the rights and services to which they are entitled under the constitution, this chapter, and ch. 950. The victim-witness coordinator may also use the information to disclose the name and address of the juvenile and the juvenile’s parents to the victim of the juvenile’s act.

938.396(1)(c)7. 7. If a juvenile has been ordered to make restitution for any injury, loss or damage caused by the juvenile and if the juvenile has failed to make that restitution within one year after the entry of the order, the insurer of the victim, as defined in s. 938.02 (20m) (a) 1., may request a law enforcement agency to disclose to the insurer any information in its records relating to the injury, loss or damage suffered by the victim, including the name and address of the juvenile and the juvenile’s parents, and the law enforcement agency may, subject to official agency policy, disclose to the victim’s insurer that information. The insurer may use and further disclose the information only for the purpose of investigating a claim arising out of the juvenile’s act.

938.396(1)(c)8. 8. If requested by a fire investigator under s. 165.55 (15), a law enforcement agency may, subject to official agency policy, disclose to the fire investigator any information in its records relating to a juvenile as necessary for the fire investigator to pursue his or her investigation under s. 165.55. The fire investigator may use and further disclose the information only for the purpose of pursuing that investigation.

938.396(1)(d) (d) Law enforcement access to school records. On petition of a law enforcement agency to review pupil records, as defined in s. 118.125 (1) (d), other than pupil records that may be disclosed without a court order under s. 118.125 (2) or (2m), for the purpose of pursuing an investigation of any alleged delinquent or criminal activity or on petition of a fire investigator under s. 165.55 (15) to review those pupil records for the purpose of pursuing an investigation under s. 165.55 (15), the court may order the school board of the school district, or the governing body of the private school, in which a juvenile is enrolled to disclose to the law enforcement agency or fire investigator the pupil records of that juvenile as necessary for the law enforcement agency or fire investigator to pursue the investigation. The law enforcement agency or fire investigator may use the pupil records only for the purpose of the investigation and may make the pupil records available only to employees of the law enforcement agency or fire investigator who are working on the investigation.

938.396(1j) (1j) Law enforcement records, court-ordered disclosure.

938.396(1j)(a) (a) Any person who is denied access to a record under sub. (1) (a) or (10) may petition the court to order the disclosure of the record. The petition shall be in writing and shall describe as specifically as possible all of the following:

938.396(1j)(a)1. 1. The type of information sought.

938.396(1j)(a)2. 2. The reason the information is being sought.

938.396(1j)(a)3. 3. The basis for the petitioner’s belief that the information is contained in the records.

938.396(1j)(a)4. 4. The relevance of the information sought to the petitioner’s reason for seeking the information.

938.396(1j)(a)5. 5. The petitioner’s efforts to obtain the information from other sources.

938.396(1j)(b) (b) Subject to par. (bm), the court, on receipt of a petition, shall notify the juvenile, the juvenile’s counsel, the juvenile’s parents, and appropriate law enforcement agencies in writing of the petition. If any person notified objects to the disclosure, the court may hold a hearing to take evidence relating to the petitioner’s need for the disclosure.

938.396(1j)(bm) (bm) If the petitioner is seeking access to a record under sub. (1) (c) 3., the court shall, without notice or hearing, make the inspection and determinations specified in par. (c) and, if the court determines that disclosure is warranted, shall order disclosure under par. (d). The petitioner shall provide a copy of the disclosure order to the law enforcement agency that denied access to the record, the juvenile, the juvenile’s counsel, and the juvenile’s parents. Any of those persons may obtain a hearing on the court’s determinations by filing a motion to set aside the disclosure order within 10 days after receipt of the order. If no motion is filed within those 10 days or if, after hearing, the court determines that no good cause has been shown for setting aside the order, the law enforcement agency shall disclose the juvenile’s record as ordered.

938.396(1j)(c) (c) The court shall make an inspection, which may be in camera, of the juvenile’s records. If the court determines that the information sought is for good cause and that it cannot be obtained with reasonable effort from other sources, it shall then determine whether the petitioner’s need for the information outweighs society’s interest in protecting its confidentiality. In making this determination, the court shall balance the following private and societal interests:

938.396(1j)(c)1. 1. The petitioner’s interest in recovering for the injury, damage or loss he or she has suffered against the juvenile’s interest in rehabilitation and in avoiding the stigma that might result from disclosure.

938.396(1j)(c)2. 2. The public’s interest in the redress of private wrongs through private litigation against the public’s interest in protecting the integrity of the juvenile justice system.

938.396(1j)(c)3. 3. If the petitioner is a person who was denied access to a record under sub. (1) (c) 3., the petitioner’s legitimate educational interests, including safety interests, in the information against society’s interest in protecting its confidentiality.

938.396(1j)(d) (d) If the court determines that disclosure is warranted, it shall order the disclosure of only as much information as is necessary to meet the petitioner’s need for the information.

938.396(1j)(e) (e) The court shall record the reasons for its decision to disclose or not to disclose the juvenile’s records. All records related to a decision under this subsection are confidential.

938.396(2) (2) Court records; confidentiality.

938.396(2)(a) (a) Records of the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 and of municipal courts exercising jurisdiction under s. 938.17 (2) shall be entered in books or deposited in files kept for that purpose only. Those records shall not be open to inspection or their contents disclosed except by order of the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 or as required or permitted under sub. (2g), (2m) (b) or (c), or (10).

938.396(2)(b) (b) The provisions of ss. 801.19 to 801.21 are applicable in court proceedings under this chapter and ch. 48.

938.396(2g) (2g) Confidentiality of court records; exceptions. Notwithstanding sub. (2), records of the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 and of courts exercising jurisdiction under s. 938.17 (2) may be disclosed as follows:

938.396(2g)(ag) (ag) Request of parent or juvenile. Upon request of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a juvenile who is the subject of a record of a court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under this chapter and ch. 48 or of a municipal court exercising jurisdiction under s. 938.17 (2), or upon request of the juvenile, if 14 years of age or over, the court that is the custodian of the record shall open for inspection by the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or juvenile its records relating to that juvenile, unless that court finds, after due notice and hearing, that inspection of those records by the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or juvenile would result in imminent danger to anyone.