AB50,2578 Section 2578. 301.26 (4) (cm) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1280,17 301.26 (4) (cm) 3. The per person daily reimbursement rate for juvenile correctional services under this paragraph shall be equal to the per person daily cost assessment to counties under par. (d) 2., 3., and 4. for juvenile correctional services.

AB50,2579 Section 2579. 301.26 (4) (cx) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1281,2 301.26 (4) (cx) If, notwithstanding ss. 16.50 (2), 16.52, 20.002 (11), and 20.903, there is a deficit in the appropriation account under s. 20.410 (3) (hm) at the close of a fiscal biennium, the governor shall, to address that deficit, increase each of the rates specified under s. 301.26 (4) (d) 2. and 3. for care in a Type 1 juvenile correctional facility and for care for juveniles transferred from a correctional institution by $6, in addition to any increase due to actual costs, in the executive budget bill for each fiscal biennium, until the deficit under s. 20.410 (3) (hm) is eliminated.

AB50,2580 Section 2580. 301.26 (4) (d) 2. of the statutes is repealed.

AB50,2581 Section 2581. 301.26 (4) (d) 3. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1281,9 301.26 (4) (d) 3. Beginning on July 1, 2024 2025, and ending on June 30, 2025 2027, the per person daily cost assessment to counties shall be, for care in a Type 1 juvenile correctional facility, as defined in s. 938.02 (19), $1,268 and, for care for juveniles transferred from a juvenile correctional institution under s. 51.35 (3), $1,268.

AB50,2582 Section 2582. 301.50 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB50,1281,20 301.50 (1) In this section, “substantial parental relationship” means the acceptance and exercise of significant responsibility for the daily supervision, education, protection, and care of the child. In evaluating whether an individual has had a substantial parental relationship with the child, factors that may be considered include, but are not limited to, whether the individual has expressed concern for or interest in the support, care, or well-being of the child; whether the individual has neglected or refused to provide care or support for the child; and whether, with respect to an individual who is or may be the father a parent of the child, the individual has expressed concern for or interest in the support, care, or well-being of the mother during her parent who gave birth during pregnancy.

AB50,2583 Section 2583. 301.55 of the statutes is created to read:

AB50,1281,23 301.55 Office of the ombudsperson for corrections. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB50,1281,24 (a) “Office” means the office of the ombudsperson for corrections.

AB50,1282,1 (b) “Ombudsperson” means the ombudsperson of the office.

AB50,1282,7 (2) Staff. The ombudsperson may appoint, in the classified service, one deputy ombudsperson of the office, and employees for the office to complete the ombudsperson’s duties described under this section. The ombudsperson may delegate to the deputy ombudsperson or other employees of the office any of the ombudsperson’s authority or duties except those described under subs. (5) (b) and (7) (b).

AB50,1282,8 (3) Powers. The ombudsperson may do all of the following:

AB50,1282,10 (a) Investigate, upon a complaint or upon personal initiative, any matter described under sub. (4).

AB50,1282,11 (b) Determine the scope and manner of investigations to be made.

AB50,1282,13 (c) Enter and inspect, at any time, premises within the control of the department.

AB50,1282,18 (d) Examine records and documents in the possession of the department, including corrections and detention data and medical data maintained by the department and classified as private or confidential data on individuals when access to the data is necessary for the ombudsperson to perform the powers authorized under this subsection.

AB50,1282,20 (e) Subpoena witnesses and the production of books, papers, records, and documents material to an investigation conducted by the office.

AB50,1282,22 (f) Attend any proceedings and deliberations relating to the granting or revocation of parole, extended supervision, or probation.

AB50,1282,23 (4) Investigations. The ombudsperson may investigate any of the following:

AB50,1283,2 (a) Complaints regarding state correctional institutions and abuse, unfair acts, and violations of rights of prisoners and juveniles.

AB50,1283,3 (b) The policies or practices of the department.

AB50,1283,4 (c) Any action by the department that may be contrary to law or rule.

AB50,1283,7 (d) Any other action by the department that has been alleged to be unreasonable, unfair, oppressive, or inconsistent with any policy or judgment of the department.

AB50,1283,9 (e) Procedures and practices that may lessen the risk that objectionable actions by the department may occur in the future.

AB50,1283,16 (5) Complaints. (a) The ombudsperson shall create a complaint form and provide sufficient blank copies of the form and self-sealing envelopes to state correctional institutions for distribution to prisoners and juveniles. Blank copies of the form and self-sealing envelopes shall be placed in locations where prisoners and juveniles regularly visit, such as a common area or library, and shall be provided upon request to a prisoner or juvenile. The department shall also make the form available on its website.

AB50,1283,20 (b) An operator of a state correctional institution shall immediately forward a complaint form described under par. (a) that has been completed by a prisoner or juvenile to the office. No individual other than an authorized employee of the office may open an envelope that contains a complaint form.