LICENSING PROCEDURES AND REQUIREMENTS
FOR CHILD WELFARE AGENCIES, FOSTER HOMES, GROUP HOMES, CHILD CARE CENTERS,
AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS
48.66 Licensing duties of the department.
48.67 Rules governing child welfare agencies, child care centers, foster homes, group homes, shelter care facilities, and county departments.
48.675 Qualified residential treatment programs.
48.68 Investigation of applicant; issuing of license.
48.685 Criminal history and child abuse record search.
48.686 Criminal history and child abuse record search; child care.
48.69 Probationary licenses.
48.70 Provisions of licenses.
48.715 Sanctions and penalties.
48.73 Inspection of licensees and school district child care programs.
48.735 Immunization requirements; child care centers.
48.737 Lead screening, inspection and reduction requirements; child care centers.
48.74 Authority of department to investigate alleged violations.
48.743 Community living arrangements for children.
48.745 Formal complaints regarding child welfare agencies and group homes.
48.75 Foster homes licensed by public licensing agencies and by child welfare agencies.
48.77 Injunction against violations.
SUBCHAPTER XVII
GENERAL PROVISIONS ON RECORDS
48.78 Confidentiality of records.
SUBCHAPTER XVIII
COMMUNITY SERVICES
48.79 Powers of the department.
48.80 Municipalities may sponsor activities.
SUBCHAPTER XIX
ADOPTION OF MINORS; GUARDIANSHIP
48.81 Who may be adopted.
48.825 Advertising related to adoption.
48.83 Jurisdiction and venue.
48.831 Appointment of guardian for child without a living parent for adoptability finding.
48.832 Transfer of guardianship upon revocation of guardian's license or contract.
48.833 Placement of children for adoption by the department, county departments, and child welfare agencies.
48.834 Placement of children with relatives or siblings for adoption by the department, county departments, and child welfare agencies.
48.835 Placement of children with relatives for adoption.
48.837 Placement of children with nonrelatives for adoption.
48.838 Foreign adoption fees.
48.839 Adoption of foreign children.
48.84 Preadoption preparation for proposed adoptive parents.
48.841 Persons required to file recommendation as to adoption.
48.85 Recommendation of guardian.
48.871 Filing of recommendation by guardian.
48.88 Notice of hearing; investigation.
48.89 Recommendation of the department.
48.90 Filing of adoption petition; preadoption residence.
48.913 Payments by adoptive or proposed adoptive parents to a birth parent or child or on behalf of a birth parent or child.
48.915 Adoption appeals given preference.
48.92 Effect of adoption.
48.925 Visitation rights of certain persons.
48.95 Withdrawal or denial of petition.
48.96 Subsequent adoption.
48.97 Adoption and guardianship orders of other jurisdictions.
48.975 Adoption assistance.
48.977 Appointment of guardians for certain children in need of protection or services.
SUBCHAPTER XX
OTHER GUARDIANSHIPS AND
DELEGATION OF POWER BY PARENT
48.978 Appointment or designation of standby guardian of a child.
48.979 Delegation of power by parent.
48.9795 Appointment of guardian of the person for a child.
SUBCHAPTER XXI
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
48.98 Interstate placement of children.
48.981 Abused or neglected children and abused unborn children.
48.982 Child abuse and neglect prevention board.
48.983 Child abuse and neglect prevention program.
48.986 Child abuse and neglect and unborn child abuse services.
48.987 Earnings of self-supporting minors.
48.9875 Minor consent for housing.
48.988 Interstate compact on the placement of children.
48.989 Interstate compact on the placement of children: additional procedure.
48.9895 Withdrawal from Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
48.99 Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children.
48.9985 Interstate adoption agreements.
48.999 Expediting interstate placements of children.
Ch. 48 Note
NOTE: 1995 Wis. Act 275, which made major revisions of this chapter, contains extensive explanatory notes.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
48.01
48.01
Title and legislative purpose. 48.01(1)(1)
This chapter may be cited as “The Children's Code". In construing this chapter, the best interests of the child or unborn child shall always be of paramount consideration. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate the following express legislative purposes:
48.01(1)(a)
(a) While recognizing that the paramount goal of this chapter is to protect children and unborn children, to preserve the unity of the family, whenever appropriate, by strengthening family life through assisting parents and the expectant mothers of unborn children, whenever appropriate, in fulfilling their responsibilities as parents or expectant mothers. The courts and agencies responsible for child welfare, while assuring that a child's health and safety are the paramount concerns, should assist parents and the expectant mothers of unborn children in changing any circumstances in the home which might harm the child or unborn child, which may require the child to be placed outside the home or which may require the expectant mother to be taken into custody. The courts should recognize that they have the authority, in appropriate cases, not to reunite a child with his or her family. The courts and agencies responsible for child welfare should also recognize that instability and impermanence in family relationships are contrary to the welfare of children and should therefore recognize the importance of eliminating the need for children to wait unreasonable periods of time for their parents to correct the conditions that prevent their safe return to the family.
48.01(1)(ad)
(ad) To provide judicial and other procedures through which children and all other interested parties are assured fair hearings and their constitutional and other legal rights are recognized and enforced, while protecting the public safety.
48.01(1)(ag)
(ag) To recognize that children have certain basic needs which must be provided for, including the need for adequate food, clothing and shelter; the need to be free from physical, sexual or emotional injury or exploitation; the need to develop physically, mentally and emotionally to their potential; and the need for a safe and permanent family. It is further recognized that, under certain circumstances, in order to ensure that the needs of a child, as described in this paragraph, are provided for, the court may determine that it is in the best interests of the child for the child to be removed from his or her parents, consistent with any applicable law relating to the rights of parents.
