Chapter 938

938.78(2m)(a) (a) If an agency that has responsibility for the placement, care, or supervision of a juvenile, as determined by the department of children and families under par. (d), determines that the juvenile is missing, the agency shall do all of the following:

938.78(2m)(a)1. 1. Within 8 hours after making that determination, report that determination to a local law enforcement agency for entry of that information into the national crime information databases, as defined in 28 USC 534 (f) (3) (A).

938.78(2m)(a)2. 2. Within 24 hours after making that determination, report that determination to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

938.78(2m)(a)3. 3. Share information about a missing juvenile reported under subds. 1. and 2. with law enforcement agencies, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and other agencies that are involved in efforts to locate the missing juvenile.

938.78(2m)(b) (b) An agency that has responsibility for the placement, care, or supervision of a juvenile may photograph the juvenile and maintain the photograph in the statewide automated child welfare information system. A report under par. (a) 1. or 2. shall be accompanied by a recent photograph of the missing juvenile, if available.

938.78(2m)(c) (c) If permitted under s. 48.47 (7g), an agency may use the statewide automated child welfare information system to provide electronic information to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children under par. (a) 2. or 3.

938.78(2m)(d) (d) The department of children and families shall provide guidance to agencies as to the scope of the juveniles to whom this subsection applies. Notwithstanding s. 227.10 (1), that guidance need not be promulgated as rules.

938.78(2m)(e) (e) The department of children and families, the department of corrections, and the department of health services may promulgate rules to implement this subsection.

938.78(3) (3) Release of information when escape or absence; rules. If a juvenile adjudged delinquent under s. 48.12, 1993 stats., or s. 938.12 or found to be in need of protection or services under s. 48.13 (12) or (14), 1993 stats., or s. 938.13 (12) or (14) on the basis of a violation of s. 943.23 (1m) or (1r), 1999 stats., or s. 943.23 (1g), 2021 stats., or s. 941.10, 941.11, 941.20, 941.21, 941.23, 941.231, 941.235, 941.237, 941.26, 941.28, 941.295, 941.298, 941.30, 941.31, 941.32, 941.325, 943.02, 943.03, 943.04, 943.10 (2) (a), 943.231 (1), 943.32 (2), 948.02, 948.025, 948.03, 948.05, 948.055, 948.085 (2), 948.60, 948.605, or 948.61 or any crime specified in ch. 940 has escaped from a juvenile correctional facility, residential care center for children and youth, secured residential care center for children and youth, inpatient facility, as defined in s. 51.01 (10), juvenile detention facility, or juvenile portion of a county jail, or from the custody of a peace officer or a guard of such a facility, center, or jail, or has been allowed to leave a juvenile correctional facility, residential care center for children and youth, secured residential care center for children and youth, inpatient facility, juvenile detention facility, or juvenile portion of a county jail for a specified time period and is absent from the facility, center, home, or jail for more than 12 hours after the expiration of the specified period, the department of corrections or county department, whichever has supervision over the juvenile, may release the juvenile’s name and any information about the juvenile that is necessary for the protection of the public or to secure the juvenile’s return to the facility, center, home, or jail. The department of corrections shall promulgate rules establishing guidelines for the release of the juvenile’s name or information about the juvenile to the public.

938.78 History History: 1995 a. 27 s. 9126 (19); 1995 a. 77, 230, 352; 1997 a. 205, 207, 283; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 38, 59, 109; 2003 a. 292, 321; 2005 a. 25, 277, 293, 344, 406, 434; 2007 a. 20 ss. 3834, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 97; 2009 a. 79, 302, 338; 2011 a. 32, 270; 2013 a. 20, 334; 2015 a. 55, 149, 368; 2017 a. 365; 2019 a. 8; 2021 a. 238 s. 45; 2023 a. 10.

938.78 Annotation As a juvenile has a constitutional right to both inspect and reply to a hearing examiner’s report on the revocation of aftercare supervision, s. 48.78 does not prevent a juvenile from having access to the report. State ex rel. R.R. v. Schmidt, 63 Wis. 2d 82, 216 N.W.2d 18 (1974).

938.78 Note NOTE: The above annotation cites to s. 48.78, the predecessor statute to s. 938.78.

938.78 Annotation The juvenile court must make a threshold relevancy determination by an in camera review when confronted with: 1) a discovery request under s. 48.293(2); 2) an inspection request of juvenile records under ss. 48.396 (2) and 938.396 (2); or 3) an inspection request of agency records under ss. 48.78 (2) (a) and 938.78(2) (a). The test for permissible discovery is whether the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Courtney F. v. Ramiro M.C., 2004 WI App 36, 269 Wis. 2d 709, 676 N.W.2d 545, 03-3018.

subch. XVIII of ch. 938 SUBCHAPTER XVIII

COMMUNITY SERVICES

938.795 938.795 Powers of the department. The department may do all of the following:

938.795(1) (1) Collect statistics and information. Collect and collaborate with other agencies in collecting statistics and information useful in determining the cause and amount of delinquency and crime in this state or in carrying out the powers and duties of the department relating to delinquency and crime.

938.795(2) (2) Assist communities. Assist communities in their efforts to combat delinquency and social breakdown likely to cause delinquency and crime and assist them in setting up programs for coordinating a total community program relating to delinquency and crime, including the improvement of law enforcement.

938.795(3) (3) Assist schools. Assist schools in extending their particular contribution in identifying and helping juveniles vulnerable to delinquency and crime and in improving school services for all youth.

938.795(4) (4) Enlighten public opinion. Develop and maintain an enlightened public opinion in support of any program to control delinquency and crime.

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

subch. XX of ch. 938 SUBCHAPTER XX

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

938.988 938.988 Interstate placement of juveniles. Sections 48.988 and 48.989 apply to the interstate placement of juveniles, except that s. 48.99, rather than those sections, applies to the interstate placement of juveniles following withdrawal from the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children as described in s. 48.9895.

938.988 History History: 1995 a. 77; 2009 a. 339.

938.999 938.999 Interstate Compact for Juveniles.

938.999(1) (1) Article I — Purpose.

938.999(1)(a) (a) The compacting states to this interstate compact recognize that each state is responsible for the proper supervision or return of juveniles, delinquents, and status offenders who are on probation or parole and who have absconded, escaped, or run away from supervision and control and in so doing have endangered their own safety and the safety of others. The compacting states also recognize that each state is responsible for the safe return of juveniles who have run away from home and in doing so have left their state of residence. The compacting states also recognize that the U.S. Congress, by enacting the Crime Control Act, 4 USC 112, has authorized and encouraged compacts for cooperative efforts and mutual assistance in the prevention of crime.

938.999(1)(b) (b) It is the purpose of this compact, through means of joint and cooperative action among the compacting states, to do all of the following:

938.999(1)(b)1. 1. Ensure that the adjudicated juveniles and status offenders who are subject to this compact are provided with adequate supervision and services in the receiving state as ordered by the adjudicating judge or parole authority in the sending state.

938.999(1)(b)2. 2. Ensure that the public safety interests of the citizens, including the victims of juvenile offenders, in both the sending and receiving states are adequately protected.

938.999(1)(b)3. 3. Return juveniles who have run away, absconded, or escaped from supervision or control or who have been accused of an offense to the state requesting their return.

938.999(1)(b)4. 4. Make contracts for the cooperative institutionalization in public facilities in member states of delinquent youth needing special services.

938.999(1)(b)5. 5. Provide for the effective tracking and supervision of juveniles.

938.999(1)(b)6. 6. Equitably allocate the costs, benefits, and obligations of the compact among the compacting states.

938.999(1)(b)7. 7. Establish procedures to manage the movement between states of juvenile offenders who are released to the community under the jurisdiction of courts, juvenile departments, or other criminal or juvenile justice agencies that have jurisdiction over juvenile offenders.

938.999(1)(b)8. 8. Ensure that immediate notice is given to jurisdictions where defined offenders are authorized to travel or to relocate across state lines.

938.999(1)(b)9. 9. Establish procedures to resolve pending charges or detainers against juvenile offenders before transfer or release to the community under this compact.

938.999(1)(b)10. 10. Establish a system of uniform data collection of information pertaining to juveniles who are subject to this compact that allows access by authorized juvenile justice and criminal justice officials and a system of regular reporting of compact activities to heads of state executive, judicial, and legislative branches and juvenile and criminal justice administrators.

938.999(1)(b)11. 11. Monitor compliance with the rules governing the interstate movement of juveniles and intervene to address and correct any noncompliance with those rules.

938.999(1)(b)12. 12. Coordinate training and education regarding the regulation of the interstate movement of juveniles for officials who are involved in that activity.

938.999(1)(b)13. 13. Coordinate the implementation and operation of this compact with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children under ss. 48.988 and 48.989, the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children under s. 48.99, the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision under s. 304.16, and other compacts affecting juveniles, particularly in those cases in which concurrent or overlapping supervision issues arise.

938.999(1)(c) (c) It is the policy of the compacting states that the activities conducted by the interstate commission are the formation of public policies and, therefore, are public business. Furthermore, the compacting states shall cooperate with each other and observe their individual and collective duties and responsibilities for the prompt return and acceptance of juveniles who are subject to this compact.

938.999(1)(d) (d) The compact shall be reasonably and liberally construed to accomplish the purposes and policies of the compact.

938.999(2) (2) Article II — Definitions. In this section:

938.999(2)(a) (a) “Bylaws” means the bylaws established by the interstate commission for its governance or for directing or controlling its actions or conduct.

938.999(2)(b) (b) “Commissioner” means the voting representative of each compacting state appointed under sub. (3) (b).

938.999(2)(c) (c) “Compact administrator” means the person appointed under this compact in each compacting state who is responsible for the administration and management of the state’s supervision and transfer of juveniles who are subject to this compact, the rules, and the policies adopted by the state board under this compact.

938.999(2)(d) (d) “Compacting state” means a state that has enacted the enabling legislation for this compact.

938.999(2)(e) (e) “Court” means a court having jurisdiction over delinquent, neglected, or dependent juveniles.

938.999(2)(f) (f) “Deputy compact administrator” means the person, if any, appointed in each compacting state to act on behalf of a compact administrator in the administration and management of the state’s supervision and transfer of juveniles who are subject to this compact, the rules, and the policies adopted by the state board under this compact.

938.999(2)(g) (g) “Interstate commission” means the interstate commission for juveniles established under sub. (3) (a).

938.999(2)(h) (h) “Juvenile” means a person who is defined as a juvenile under the law of any compacting state or by the rules, including all of the following:

938.999(2)(h)1. 1. An accused delinquent. For purposes of this subdivision, “accused delinquent” means a person who is charged with an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense.

938.999(2)(h)2. 2. An adjudicated delinquent. For purposes of this subdivision, “adjudicated delinquent” means a person who has been found to have committed an offense that, if committed by an adult, would be a criminal offense.

938.999(2)(h)3. 3. An accused status offender. For purposes of this subdivision, “accused status offender” means a person who is charged with an offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult.

938.999(2)(h)4. 4. An adjudicated status offender. For purposes of this subdivision, “adjudicated status offender” means a person who has been found to have committed an offense that would not be a criminal offense if committed by an adult.

938.999(2)(h)5. 5. A nonoffender. For purposes of this subdivision, “nonoffender” means a person who is in need of supervision, but who has not been charged with or found to have committed an offense.

938.999(2)(i) (i) “Noncompacting state” means a state that has not enacted the enabling legislation for this compact.

938.999(2)(j) (j) “Probation or parole” means any kind of supervision or conditional release of a juvenile that is authorized under the laws of a compacting state.

938.999(2)(k) (k) “Rule” means a written statement by the interstate commission promulgated under sub. (6) that is of general applicability; that implements, interprets, or prescribes a policy or provision of the compact or an organizational, procedural, or practice requirement of the interstate commission; and that has the force of statutory law in a compacting state. “Rule” includes the amendment, repeal, or suspension of an existing rule.

938.999(2)(L) (L) “State” means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Northern Marianas Islands.

938.999(2)(m) (m) “State board” means the state board for interstate juvenile supervision created by each compacting state under sub. (9).

938.999(3) (3) Article III — Interstate Commission for Juveniles.

938.999(3)(a) (a) There is created the interstate commission for juveniles. The interstate commission shall be a body corporate and joint agency of the compacting states. The interstate commission shall have all of the responsibilities, powers, and duties specified in this section and such additional powers as may be conferred upon the interstate commission by subsequent action of the respective legislatures of the compacting states exercised in accordance with this compact.

938.999(3)(b) (b) The interstate commission shall consist of commissioners appointed by the appropriate appointing authority in each compacting state under the requirements of the compacting state and in consultation with the state board of the compacting state. The commissioner shall be the compact administrator, deputy compact administrator, or designee from the compacting state and shall serve on the interstate commission in that capacity under the applicable law of the compacting state.

938.999(3)(c) (c) In addition to the commissioners who are the voting representatives of each compacting state, the interstate commission shall include, as nonvoting members, persons who are members of interested organizations. Those nonvoting members shall include members of the national organizations of governors, legislators, state supreme court chief justices, attorneys general, juvenile justice and juvenile corrections officials, and crime victims and members of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children, and the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision. The interstate commission may provide in the bylaws for the inclusion of additional nonvoting members, including members of other national organizations, in such numbers as may be determined by the interstate commission.

938.999(3)(d) (d) Each compacting state represented at any meeting of the interstate commission is entitled to one vote. A majority of the compacting states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws.

938.999(3)(e) (e) The interstate commission shall meet at least once each year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the compacting states, shall call additional meetings. Public notice shall be given of all meetings and, except as provided in par. (i), meetings shall be open to the public.

938.999(3)(f) (f) The interstate commission shall establish an executive committee, which shall include officers and members of the interstate commission and others as determined by the bylaws. The executive committee may act on behalf of the interstate commission during periods when the interstate commission is not in session, with the exception of rule making and amending the compact. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact that are managed by an executive director and interstate commission staff; administer enforcement of and compliance with the compact, the bylaws, and the rules; and perform such other duties as directed by the interstate commission or as specified in the bylaws.

938.999(3)(g) (g) Each commissioner is entitled to cast the vote to which the compacting state represented by the commissioner is entitled and to participate in the business and affairs of the interstate commission. A commissioner shall vote in person and may not delegate a vote to another compacting state, except that a commissioner, in consultation with the state board of the commissioner’s state, may appoint another authorized representative, in the absence of the commissioner, to cast a vote on behalf of the compacting state at a specified meeting. The bylaws may provide for members’ participation in meetings by telephone or by other means of telecommunication or electronic communication.

938.999(3)(h) (h) The bylaws shall establish conditions and procedures under which the interstate commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The interstate commission may exempt from disclosure any information or official records to the extent that the information or records would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.

938.999(3)(i) (i) Public notice shall be given of all meetings, and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as specified in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The interstate commission and any of its committees may close a meeting to the public if the interstate commission or committee determines by a two-thirds vote that an open meeting would be likely to do any of the following:

938.999(3)(i)1. 1. Relate solely to the interstate commission’s internal personnel practices and procedures.

938.999(3)(i)2. 2. Disclose matters that are specifically exempted from disclosure by statute.

938.999(3)(i)3. 3. Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential.

938.999(3)(i)4. 4. Involve accusing any person of a crime or formally censuring any person.

938.999(3)(i)5. 5. Disclose information that is of a personal nature, if disclosure of the information would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.

938.999(3)(i)6. 6. Disclose investigative records that have been compiled for law enforcement purposes.

938.999(3)(i)7. 7. Disclose information that is contained in or related to an examination, operating, or condition report prepared by, on behalf of, or for the use of the interstate commission with respect to a regulated person for the purpose of regulation or supervision of that person.

938.999(3)(i)8. 8. Disclose information, the premature disclosure of which would significantly endanger the stability of a regulated person.

938.999(3)(i)9. 9. Specifically relate to the interstate commission’s issuance of a subpoena or the participation of the interstate commission in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

938.999(3)(j) (j) For every meeting that is closed under par. (i), the interstate commission’s legal counsel shall publicly certify that, in the opinion of the legal counsel, the meeting may be closed to the public and shall reference each provision under par. (i) authorizing closure of the meeting. The interstate commission shall keep minutes that shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in any meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of any actions taken, and the reasons for those actions, including a description of each of the views expressed on any item and the record of any roll call vote reflecting the vote of each commissioner on the question. All documents considered in connection with any action shall be identified in the minutes.

938.999(3)(k) (k) The interstate commission shall collect standardized data concerning the interstate movement of juveniles as directed by the rules. The rules shall specify the date to be collected and the means of collection and shall specify data exchange and reporting requirements. Those methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, insofar as is reasonably possible, conform to up-to-date technology and shall coordinate the interstate commission’s information functions with the appropriate repository of records.

938.999(4) (4) Article IV — Powers and Duties of the Interstate Commission. The interstate commission shall have the power and duty to do all of the following:

938.999(4)(a) (a) Provide for dispute resolution among compacting states.

938.999(4)(b) (b) Promulgate rules to effect the purposes and obligations enumerated in this compact, which rules shall have the effect of statutory law and shall be binding in the compacting states to the extent and in the manner provided in this compact.

938.999(4)(c) (c) Oversee, supervise, and coordinate the interstate movement of juveniles who are subject to this compact, the bylaws, and the rules.

938.999(4)(d) (d) Enforce compliance with the compact, the bylaws, and the rules, using all necessary and proper means, including the use of judicial process.