Wisconsin_Child Abuse Reporting Statute
WISCONSIN STATUTES
Social Services (Ch. 46 to 58)
Chapter 48. Children's Code
Subchapter XX. Miscellaneous Provisions
48.981. Abused or neglected children
and abused unborn children
(1) Definitions. In this section:
(ag) "Agency" means a county department,
the department in a county having a population of 500,000
or more or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
with a county department or the department in a county
having a population of 500,000 or more to perform investigations
under this section.
(am) "Caregiver" means, with respect
to a child who is the victim or alleged victim of abuse
or neglect or who is threatened with abuse or neglect,
any of the following persons:
1. The child's parent, grandparent, greatgrandparent,
stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister,
half brother, or half sister.
2. The child's guardian.
3. The child's legal custodian.
4. A person who resides or has resided
regularly or intermittently in the same dwelling as the
child.
5. An employee of a residential facility
or residential care center for children and youth in which
the child was or is placed.
6. A person who provides or has provided
care for the child in or outside of the child's home.
7. Any other person who exercises or
has exercised temporary or permanent control over the
child or who temporarily or permanently supervises or
has supervised the child.
8. Any relative of the child other than
a relative specified in subd. 1.
(b) "Community placement" means probation;
extended supervision; parole; aftercare; conditional transfer
into the community under s. 51.35(1); conditional transfer
or discharge under s. 51.37(9); placement in a Type 2
residential care center for children and youth or a Type
2 juvenile correctional facility authorized under s. 938.539(5);
conditional release under s. 971.17; supervised release
under s. 980.06 or 980.08; participation in the community
residential confinement program under s. 301.046, the
intensive sanctions program under s. 301.048, the corrective
sanctions program under s. 938.533, the intensive supervision
program under s. 938.534, or the serious juvenile offender
program under s. 938.538; or any other placement of an
adult or juvenile offender in the community under the
custody or supervision of the department of corrections,
the department of health services, a county department
under s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42, or 51.437 or any
other person under contract with the department of corrections,
the department of health services, or a county department
under s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42, or 51.437 to exercise
custody or supervision over the offender.
(ct) "Indian unborn child" means an unborn
child who, when born, may be eligible for affiliation
with an Indian tribe in any of the following ways:
1. As a member of the Indian tribe .
2. As a person who is eligible for membership
in an Indian tribe and the biological child of a member
of an Indian tribe .
(cv) "Member of a religious order" means
an individual who has taken vows devoting himself or herself
to religious or spiritual principles and who is authorized
or appointed by his or her religious order or organization
to provide spiritual or religious advice or service.
(cx) "Member of the clergy" has the
meaning given in s. 765.002(1) or means a member of a
religious order, and includes brothers, ministers, monks,
nuns, priests, rabbis, and sisters.
(f) "Record" means any document relating
to the investigation, assessment and disposition of a
report under this section.
(g) "Reporter" means a person who reports
suspected abuse or neglect or a belief that abuse or neglect
will occur under this section.
(h) "Subject" means a person or unborn
child named in a report or record as any of the following:
1. A child who is the victim or alleged
victim of abuse or neglect or who is threatened with abuse
or neglect.
1m. An unborn child who is the victim
or alleged victim of abuse or who is at substantial risk
of abuse.
2. A person who is suspected of abuse
or neglect or who has been determined to have abused or
neglected a child or to have abused an unborn child.
(i) "Tribal agent" means the person designated
under 25 CFR 23.12 by an Indian tribe to receive notice
of involuntary child custody proceedings under the federal
Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963.
(2) Persons required to report.
(a) Any of the following persons who has reasonable cause
to suspect that a child seen by the person in the course
of professional duties has been abused or neglected or
who has reason to believe that a child seen by the person
in the course of professional duties has been threatened
with abuse or neglect and that abuse or neglect of the
child will occur shall, except as provided under sub.
(2m), report as provided in sub. (3):
1. A physician.
2. A coroner.
3. A medical examiner.
4. A nurse.
5. A dentist.
6. A chiropractor.
7. An optometrist.
8. An acupuncturist.
9. A medical or mental health professional
not otherwise specified in this paragraph.
10. A social worker.
11. A marriage and family therapist.
12. A professional counselor.
13. A public assistance worker, including
a financial and employment planner, as defined in s. 49.141(1)(d).
14. A school teacher.
15. A school administrator
16. A school counselor.
17. A mediator under s. 767.405.
18. A child care worker in a child care
center, group home, or residential care center for children
and youth.
19. A child care provider.
20. An alcohol or other drug abuse counselor.
21. A member of the treatment staff employed
by or working under contract with a county department
under s. 46.23, 51.42, or 51.437 or a residential care
center for children and youth.
22. A physical therapist. 22m. A physical
therapist assistant.
23. An occupational therapist.
24. A dietitian.
25. A speech-language pathologist.
26. An audiologist.
27. An emergency medical technician.
28. A first responder.
29. A police or law enforcement officer.
(b) A court-appointed special advocate
who has reasonable cause to suspect that a child seen
in the course of activities under s. 48.236(3) has been
abused or neglected or who has reason to believe that
a child seen in the course of those activities has been
threatened with abuse and neglect and that abuse or neglect
of the child will occur shall, except as provided in sub.
(2m), report as provided in sub. (3).
(bm)1. Except as provided in subd. 3.
and sub. (2m), a member of the clergy shall report as
provided in sub. (3) if the member of the clergy has reasonable
cause to suspect that a child seen by the member of the
clergy in the course of his or her professional duties:
a. Has been abused, as defined in s.
48.02(1)(b) to (f); or
b. Has been threatened with abuse, as
defined in s. 48.02(1)(b) to (f), and abuse of the child
will likely occur.
2. Except as provided in subd. 3. and
sub. (2m), a member of the clergy shall report as provided
in sub. (3) if the member of the clergy has reasonable
cause, based on observations made or information that
he or she receives, to suspect that a member of the clergy
has done any of the following:
a. Abused a child, as defined in s. 48.02(1)(b)
to (f).
b. Threatened a child with abuse, as
defined in s. 48.02(1)(b) to (f), and abuse of the child
will likely occur.
3. A member of the clergy is not required
to report child abuse information under subd. 1. or 2.
that he or she receives solely through confidential communications
made to him or her privately or in a confessional setting
if he or she is authorized to hear or is accustomed to
hearing such communications and, under the disciplines,
tenets, or traditions of his or her religion, has a duty
or is expected to keep those communications secret. Those
disciplines, tenets, or traditions need not be in writing.
(c) Any person not otherwise specified
in par. (a), (b), or (bm), including an attorney, who
has reason to suspect that a child has been abused or
neglected or who has reason to believe that a child has
been threatened with abuse or neglect and that abuse or
neglect of the child will occur may report as provided
in sub. (3).
(d) Any person, including an attorney,
who has reason to suspect that an unborn child has been
abused or who has reason to believe that an unborn child
is at substantial risk of abuse may report as provided
in sub. (3).
(e) No person making a report under this
subsection may be discharged from employment for so doing.
(2m) Exception to reporting requirement.
(a) The purpose of this subsection is to allow children
to obtain confidential health care services.
(b) In this subsection:
1. "Health care provider" means a physician,
as defined under s. 448.01(5), a physician assistant,
as defined under s. 448.01(6), or a nurse holding a certificate
of registration under s. 441.06(1) or a license under
s. 441.10(3).
2. "Health care service" means family
planning services, as defined in s. 253.07(1)(b), 1995
stats., pregnancy testing, obstetrical health care or
screening, diagnosis and treatment for a sexually transmitted
disease.
(c) Except as provided under pars. (d)
and (e), the following persons are not required to report
as suspected or threatened abuse, as defined in s. 48.02(1)(b),
sexual intercourse or sexual contact involving a child:
1. A health care provider who provides
any health care service to a child.
4. A person who obtains information about
a child who is receiving or has received health care services
from a health care provider.
(d) Any person described under par.
(c)1. or 4. shall report as required under sub. (2) if
he or she has reason to suspect any of the following:
1. That the sexual intercourse or sexual
contact occurred or is likely to occur with a caregiver.
2. That the child suffered or suffers
from a mental illness or mental deficiency that rendered
or renders the child temporarily or permanently incapable
of understanding or evaluating the consequences of his
or her actions.
3. That the child, because of his or
her age or immaturity, was or is incapable of understanding
the nature or consequences of sexual intercourse or sexual
contact.
4. That the child was unconscious at
the time of the act or for any other reason was physically
unable to communicate unwillingness to engage in sexual
intercourse or sexual contact.
5. That another participant in the sexual
contact or sexual intercourse was or is exploiting the
child.
(e) In addition to the reporting requirements
under par. (d), a person described under par. (c)1. or
4. shall report as required under sub. (2) if he or she
has any reasonable doubt as to the voluntariness of the
child's participation in the sexual contact or sexual
intercourse.
(3) Reports; investigation. (a)
Referral of report. 1. A person required to report under
sub. (2) shall immediately inform, by telephone or personally,
the county department or, in a county having a population
of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child
welfare agency under contract with the department or the
sheriff or city, village, or town police department of
the facts and circumstances contributing to a suspicion
of child abuse or neglect or of unborn child abuse or
to a belief that abuse or neglect will occur.
2. The sheriff or police department
shall within 12 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays,
or legal holidays, refer to the county department or,
in a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the
department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract
with the department all of the following types of cases
reported to the sheriff or police department:
a. Cases in which a caregiver is suspected
of abuse or neglect or of threatened abuse or neglect
of a child.
b. Cases in which a caregiver is suspected
of facilitating or failing to take action to prevent the
suspected or threatened abuse or neglect of a child.
c. Cases in which it cannot be determined
who abused or neglected or threatened to abuse or neglect
a child.
d. Cases in which there is reason to
suspect that an unborn child has been abused or there
is reason to believe that an unborn child is at substantial
risk of abuse.
2d. The sheriff or police department
may refer to the county department or, in a county having
a population of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed
child welfare agency under contract with the department
a case reported to the sheriff or police department in
which a person who is not a caregiver is suspected of
abuse or of threatened abuse of a child.
2g. The county department, department,
or licensed child welfare agency may require that a subsequent
report of a case referred under subd. 2. or 2d. be made
in writing.
3. Except as provided in sub. (3m), a
county department, the department, or a licensed child
welfare agency under contract with the department shall
within 12 hours, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, or legal
holidays, refer to the sheriff or police department all
cases of suspected or threatened abuse, as defined in
s. 48.02(1)(b) to (f), reported to it. For cases of suspected
or threatened abuse, as defined in s. 48.02(1)(a), (am),
(g), or (gm), or neglect, each county department, the
department, and a licensed child welfare agency under
contract with the department shall adopt a written policy
specifying the kinds of reports it will routinely report
to local law enforcement authorities.
4. If the report is of suspected or threatened
abuse, as defined in s. 48.02(1)(b) to (f), the sheriff
or police department and the county department, department,
or licensed child welfare agency under contract with the
department shall coordinate the planning and execution
of the investigation of the report.
(b) Duties of local law enforcement
agencies. 1. Any person reporting under this section
may request an immediate investigation by the sheriff
or police department if the person has reason to suspect
that the health or safety of a child or of an unborn child
is in immediate danger. Upon receiving such a request,
the sheriff or police department shall immediately investigate
to determine if there is reason to believe that the health
or safety of the child or unborn child is in immediate
danger and take any necessary action to protect the child
or unborn child.
2. If the investigating officer has reason
under s. 48.19 (1) (c) or (cm) or (d) 5. or 8. to take
a child into custody, the investigating officer shall
take the child into custody and deliver the child to the
intake worker under s. 48.20.
2m. If the investigating officer has
reason under s. 48.193 (1) (c) or (d) 2. to take the adult
expectant mother of an unborn child into custody, the
investigating officer shall take the adult expectant mother
into custody and deliver the adult expectant mother to
the intake worker under s. 48.203.
3. If the sheriff or police department
determines that criminal action is necessary, the sheriff
or police department shall refer the case to the district
attorney for criminal prosecution. Each sheriff and police
department shall adopt a written policy specifying the
kinds of reports of suspected or threatened abuse, as
defined in s. 48.02(1)(b) to (f), that the sheriff or
police department will routinely refer to the district
attorney for criminal prosecution.
(bm) Notice of report to Indian tribal
agent. In a county that has wholly or partially within
its boundaries a federally recognized Indian reservation
or a bureau of Indian affairs service area for the Ho-Chunk
tribe, if a county department that receives a report under
par. (a) pertaining to a child or unborn child knows or
has reason to know that the child is an Indian child who
resides in the county or that the unborn child is an Indian
unborn child whose expectant mother resides in the county,
the county department shall provide notice, which shall
consist only of the name and address of the Indian child
or expectant mother and the fact that a report has been
received about that Indian child or Indian unborn child,
within 24 hours to one of the following:
1. If the county department knows with
which Indian tribe the child is affiliated, or with which
Indian tribe the Indian unborn child, when born, may be
eligible for affiliation, and the Indian tribe is a Wisconsin
Indian tribe, the tribal agent of that tribe.
2. If the county department does not
know with which Indian tribe the child is affiliated,
or with which Indian tribe the Indian unborn child, when
born, may be eligible for affiliation, or the child or
expectant mother is not affiliated with a Wisconsin Indian
tribe , the tribal agent serving the reservation or Ho-Chunk
service area where the child or expectant mother resides.
3. If neither subd. 1. nor 2. applies,
any tribal agent serving a reservation or Ho-Chunk service
area in the county.
(c) Duties of county departments.
1. a. Immediately after receiving a report under par.
(a), the agency shall evaluate the report to determine
whether there is reason to suspect that a caregiver has
abused or neglected the child, has threatened the child
with abuse or neglect, or has facilitated or failed to
take action to prevent the suspected or threatened abuse
or neglect of the child. Except as provided in sub. (3m),
if the agency determines that a caregiver is suspected
of abuse or neglect or of threatened abuse or neglect
of the child, determines that a caregiver is suspected
of facilitating or failing to take action to prevent the
suspected or threatened abuse or neglect of the child,
or cannot determine who abused or neglected the child,
within 24 hours after receiving the report the agency
shall, in accordance with the authority granted to the
department under s. 48.48(17)(a)1. or the county department
under s. 48.57(1)(a), initiate a diligent investigation
to determine if the child is in need of protection or
services. If the agency determines that a person who is
not a caregiver is suspected of abuse or of threatened
abuse, the agency may, in accordance with that authority,
initiate a diligent investigation to determine if the
child is in need or protection or services. Within 24
hours after receiving a report under par. (a) of suspected
unborn child abuse, the agency, in accordance with that
authority, shall initiate a diligent investigation to
determine if the unborn child is in need of protection
or services. An investigation under this subd. 1. a. shall
be conducted in accordance with standards established
by the department for conducting child abuse and neglect
investigations or unborn child abuse investigations.
b. If the investigation is of a report
of child abuse or neglect or of threatened child abuse
or neglect by a caregiver specified in sub. (1)(am)5.
to 8. who continues to have access to the child or a caregiver
specified in sub. (1)(am)1. to 4., or of a report that
does not disclose who is suspected of the child abuse
or neglect and in which the investigation does not disclose
who abused or neglected the child, the investigation shall
also include observation of or an interview with the child,
or both, and, if possible, an interview with the child's
parents, guardian, or legal custodian. If the investigation
is of a report of child abuse or neglect or threatened
child abuse or neglect by a caregiver who continues to
reside in the same dwelling as the child, the investigation
shall also include, if possible, a visit to that dwelling.
At the initial visit to the child's dwelling, the person
making the investigation shall identify himself or herself
and the agency involved to the child's parents, guardian,
or legal custodian. The agency may contact, observe, or
interview the child at any location without permission
from the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian
if necessary to determine if the child is in need of protection
or services, except that the person making the investigation
may enter a child's dwelling only with permission from
the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian or after
obtaining a court order permitting the person to do so.
2. a. If the person making the investigation
is an employee of the county department or, in a county
having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department and he or she determines that it is consistent
with the child's best interest in terms of physical safety
and physical health to remove the child from his or her
home for immediate protection, he or she shall take the
child into custody under s. 48.08(2) or 48.19(1)(c) and
deliver the child to the intake worker under s. 48.20.
b. If the person making the investigation
is an employee of a licensed child welfare agency which
is under contract with the county department and he or
she determines that any child in the home requires immediate
protection, he or she shall notify the county department
of the circumstances and together with an employee of
the county department shall take the child into custody
under s. 48.08(2) or 48.19(1)(c) and deliver the child
to the intake worker under s. 48.20.
2m. a. If the person making the investigation
is an employee of the county department or, in a county
having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department and he or she determines that it is consistent
with the best interest of the unborn child in terms of
physical safety and physical health to take the expectant
mother into custody for the immediate protection of the
unborn child, he or she shall take the expectant mother
into custody under s. 48.08 (2), 48.19 (1) (cm) or 48.193
(1) (c) and deliver the expectant mother to the intake
worker under s. 48.20 or 48.203.
b. If the person making the investigation
is an employee of a licensed child welfare agency which
is under contract with the county department and he or
she determines that any unborn child requires immediate
protection, he or she shall notify the county department
of the circumstances and together with an employee of
the county department shall take the expectant mother
of the unborn child into custody under s. 48.08 (2), 48.19
(1) (cm) or 48.193 (1) (c) and deliver the expectant mother
to the intake worker under s. 48.20 or 48.203.
3. If the county department or, in a
county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department determines that a child, any member of
the child's family or the child's guardian or legal custodian
is in need of services or that the expectant mother of
an unborn child is in need of services, the county department,
department or licensed child welfare agency shall offer
to provide appropriate services or to make arrangements
for the provision of services. If the child's parent,
guardian or legal custodian or the expectant mother refuses
to accept the services, the county department, department
or licensed child welfare agency may request that a petition
be filed under s. 48.13 alleging that the child who is
the subject of the report or any other child in the home
is in need of protection or services or that a petition
be filed under s. 48.133 alleging that the unborn child
who is the subject of the report is in need of protection
or services.
4. The county department or, in a county
having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department shall determine, within 60 days after receipt
of a report that the county department, department, or
licensed child welfare agency investigates under subd.
1., whether abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely
to occur. The determination shall be based on a preponderance
of the evidence produced by the investigation. A determination
that abuse or neglect has occurred may not be based solely
on the fact that the child's parent, guardian, or legal
custodian in good faith selects and relies on prayer or
other religious means for treatment of disease or for
remedial care of the child. In making a determination
that emotional damage has occurred, the county department
or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more,
the department or a licensed child welfare agency under
contract with the department shall give due regard to
the culture of the subjects. This subdivision does not
prohibit a court from ordering medical services for the
child if the child's health requires it.
5. The agency shall maintain a record
of its actions in connection with each report it receives.
The record shall include a description of the services
provided to any child and to the parents, guardian or
legal custodian of the child or to any expectant mother
of an unborn child. The agency shall update the record
every 6 months until the case is closed.
5m. If the county department or, in
a county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department determines under subd. 4. that a specific
person has abused or neglected a child, the county department,
department or licensed child welfare agency, within 15
days after the date of the determination, shall notify
the person in writing of the determination, the person's
right to appeal the determination and the procedure by
which the person may appeal the determination, and the
person may appeal the determination in accordance with
the procedures established by the department under this
subdivision. The department shall promulgate rules establishing
procedures for conducting an appeal under this subdivision.
Those procedures shall include a procedure permitting
an appeal under this subdivision to be held in abeyance
pending the outcome of any criminal proceedings or any
proceedings under s. 48.13 based on the alleged abuse
or neglect or the outcome of any investigation that may
lead to the filing of a criminal complaint or a petition
under s. 48.13 based on the alleged abuse or neglect.
5r. If the county department or, in a
county having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department determines under subd. 4. that a specific
person has abused or neglected a child, the county department,
department, or licensed child welfare agency, within 15
days after the date of the determination, shall provide
the subunit of the department that administers s. 48.685
with information about the person who has been determined
to have abused or neglected the child.
6. The agency shall, within 60 days after
it receives a report from a person required under sub.
(2) to report, inform the reporter what action, if any,
was taken to protect the health and welfare of the child
or unborn child who is the subject of the report.
6m. If a person who is not required under
sub. (2) to report makes a report and is a relative of
the child, other than the child's parent, or is a relative
of the expectant mother of the unborn child, that person
may make a written request to the agency for information
regarding what action, if any, was taken to protect the
health and welfare of the child or unborn child who is
the subject of the report. An agency that receives a written
request under this subdivision shall, within 60 days after
it receives the report or 20 days after it receives the
written request, whichever is later, inform the reporter
in writing of what action, if any, was taken to protect
the health and welfare of the child or unborn child, unless
a court order prohibits that disclosure, and of the duty
to keep the information confidential under sub. (7) (e)
and the penalties for failing to do so under sub. (7)
(f). The agency may petition the court ex parte for an
order prohibiting that disclosure and, if the agency does
so, the time period within which the information must
be disclosed is tolled on the date the petition is filed
and remains tolled until the court issues a decision.
The court may hold an ex parte hearing in camera and shall
issue an order granting the petition if the court determines
that disclosure of the information would not be in the
best interests of the child or unborn child.
7. The county department or, in a county
having a population of 500,000 or more, the department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department shall cooperate with law enforcement officials,
courts of competent jurisdiction, tribal governments and
other human services agencies to prevent, identify and
treat child abuse and neglect and unborn child abuse.
The county department or, in a county having a population
of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child
welfare agency under contract with the department shall
coordinate the development and provision of services to
abused and neglected children, to abused unborn children
to families in which child abuse or neglect has occurred,
to expectant mothers who have abused their unborn children,
to children and families when circumstances justify a
belief that abuse or neglect will occur and to the expectant
mothers of unborn children when circumstances justify
a belief that unborn child abuse will occur.
8. Using the format prescribed by the
department, each county department shall provide the department
with information about each report that the county department
receives or that is received by a licensed child welfare
agency that is under contract with the county department
and about each investigation that the county department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the county department conducts. Using the format prescribed
by the department, a licensed child welfare agency under
contract with the department shall provide the department
with information about each report that the child welfare
agency receives and about each investigation that the
child welfare agency conducts. The department shall use
the information to monitor services provided by county
departments or licensed child welfare agencies under contract
with county departments or the department. The department
shall use nonidentifying information to maintain statewide
statistics on child abuse and neglect and on unborn child
abuse, and for planning and policy development purposes.
9. The agency may petition for child
abuse restraining orders and injunctions under s. 48.25(6).
(cm) Contract with licensed child welfare
agencies. A county department may contract with a licensed
child welfare agency to fulfill the county department's
duties specified under par. (c)1., 2. b., 2m. b., 5.,
5r., 6., 6m., and 8. The department may contract with
a licensed child welfare agency to fulfill the department's
duties specified under par. (c)1., 2. a., 2m. b., 3.,
4., 5., 5m., 5r., 6., 6m., 7., 8,. and 9. in a county
having a population of 500,000 or more. The confidentiality
provisions specified in sub. (7) shall apply to any licensed
child welfare agency with which a county department or
the department contracts.
(d) Independent investigation. 1. In this paragraph,
"agent" includes a foster parent or other person given
custody of a child or a human services professional employed
by a county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 or by
a child welfare agency who is working with a child or
an expectant mother of an unborn child under contract
with or under the supervision of the department in a county
having a population of 500,000 or more or a county department
under s. 46.22.
2. If an agent or employee of an agency
required to investigate under this subsection is the subject
of a report, or if the agency determines that, because
of the relationship between the agency and the subject
of a report, there is a substantial probability that the
agency would not conduct an unbiased investigation, the
agency shall, after taking any action necessary to protect
the child or unborn child, notify the department. Upon
receipt of the notice, the department, in a county having
a population of less than 500,000 or a county department
or child welfare agency designated by the department in
any county shall conduct an independent investigation.
If the department designates a county department under
s. 46.22, 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, that county department
shall conduct the independent investigation. If a licensed
child welfare agency agrees to conduct the independent
investigation, the department may designate the child
welfare agency to do so. The powers and duties of the
department or designated county department or child welfare
agency making an independent investigation are those given
to county departments under par. (c).
(3m) Alternative response pilot program.
(a) In this subsection, "substantial abuse or neglect"
means abuse or neglect or threatened abuse or neglect
that under the guidelines developed by the department
under par. (b) constitutes severe abuse or neglect or
a threat of severe abuse or neglect and a significant
threat to the safety of a child and his or her family.
(b) The department shall establish a
pilot program under which an agency in a county having
a population of 500,000 or more or a county department
that is selected to participate in the pilot program may
employ alternative responses to a report of abuse or neglect
or of threatened abuse or neglect. The department shall
select an agency in a county having a population of 500,000
or more and not more than 4 county departments to participate
in the pilot program in accordance with the department's
request-for-proposal procedures and according to criteria
developed by the department. Those criteria shall include
an assessment of the plan of an agency or county department
for involving the community in providing services for
a family that is participating in the pilot program and
a determination of whether an agency or a county department
has an agreement with local law enforcement agencies and
the representative of the public under s. 48.09 to ensure
interagency cooperation in implementing the pilot program.
To implement the pilot program, the department shall provide
all of the following:
1. Guidelines for determining the appropriate
alternative response to a report of abuse or neglect or
of threatened abuse or neglect, including guidelines for
determining what types of abuse or neglect or threatened
abuse or neglect constitute substantial abuse or neglect.
The department need not promulgate those guidelines as
rules under ch. 227.
2. Training and technical assistance
for an agency or county department that is selected to
participate in the pilot program.
(c) Immediately after receiving a report
under sub. (3)(a), an agency or county department that
is participating in the pilot program shall evaluate the
report to determine the most appropriate alternative response
under subds. 1. to 3. to the report. Based on that evaluation,
the agency or county department shall respond to the report
as follows:
1. If the agency or county department
determines that there is reason to suspect that substantial
abuse or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur or
that an investigation under sub. (3) is otherwise necessary
to ensure the safety of the child and his or her family,
the agency or county department shall investigate the
report as provided in sub. (3). If in conducting that
investigation the agency or county department determines
that it is not necessary for the safety of the child and
his or her family to complete the investigation, the agency
or county department may terminate the investigation and
conduct an assessment under subd. 2. If the agency or
county department terminates an investigation, the agency
or county department shall document the reasons for terminating
the investigation and notify any law enforcement agency
that is cooperating in the investigation.
2. a. If the agency or county department
determines that there is reason to suspect that abuse
or neglect, other than substantial abuse or neglect, has
occurred or is likely to occur, but that under the guidelines
developed by the department under par. (b) there is no
immediate threat to the safety of the child and his or
her family and court intervention is not necessary, the
agency or county department shall conduct a comprehensive
assessment of the safety of the child and his or her family,
the risk of subsequent abuse or neglect, and the strengths
and needs of the child's family to determine whether services
are needed to address those issues assessed and, based
on the assessment, shall offer to provide appropriate
services to the child's family on a voluntary basis or
refer the child's family to a service provider in the
community for the provision of those services.
b. If the agency or county department
employs the assessment response under subd. 2. a., the
agency or county department is not required to refer the
report to the sheriff or police department under sub.
(3)(a)3. or determine by a preponderance of the evidence
under sub. (3)(c)4. that abuse or neglect has occurred
or is likely to occur or that a specific person has abused
or neglected the child. If in conducting the assessment
the agency or county department determines that there
is reason to suspect that substantial abuse or neglect
has occurred or is likely to occur or that an investigation
under sub. (3) is otherwise necessary to ensure the safety
of the child and his or her family, the agency or county
department shall immediately commence an investigation
under sub. (3).
3. If the agency or county department
determines that there is no reason to suspect that abuse
or neglect has occurred or is likely to occur, the agency
or county department shall refer the child's family to
a service provider in the community for the provision
of appropriate services on a voluntary basis. If the agency
or county department employs the community services response
under this subdivision, the agency or county department
is not required to conduct an assessment under subd. 2.,
refer the report to the sheriff or police department under
sub. (3)(a)3., or determine by a preponderance of the
evidence under sub. (3)(c)4. that abuse or neglect has
occurred or is likely to occur or that a specific person
has abused or neglected the child.
(d) The department shall conduct an
evaluation of the pilot program and, by July 1, 2012,
shall submit a report of that evaluation to the governor
and to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature
under s. 13.172(3). The evaluation shall assess the issues
encountered in implementing the pilot program and the
overall operations of the pilot program, include specific
measurements of the effectiveness of the pilot program,
and make recommendations to improve that effectiveness.
Those specific measurements shall include all of the following:
1. The turnover rate of the agency or
county department caseworkers providing services under
the pilot program.
2. The number of families referred for
each type of response specified in par. (c)1. to 3.
3. The number of families that accepted,
and the number of families that declined to accept, services
offered under par. (c)2. and 3.
4. The effectiveness of the evaluation
under par. (c)(intro.) in determining the appropriate
response under par. (c)1. to 3.
5. The impact of the pilot program on
the number of out-of-home placements of children by the
agencies or county departments participating in the pilot
program.
6. The availability of services to address
the issues of child and family safety, risk of subsequent
abuse or neglect, and family strengths and needs in the
communities served under the pilot project.
7g. The rate at which children referred
for each type of response specified in par. (c)1. to 3.
are subsequently the subjects of reports of suspected
or threatened abuse or neglect.
7m. The satisfaction of families referred
for each type of response specified in par. (c)1. to 3.
with the process used to respond to those referrals.
7r. The cost effectiveness of responding
to reports of suspected or threatened abuse or neglect
in the manner provided under the pilot program.
(4) Immunity from liability. Any
person or institution participating in good faith in the
making of a report, conducting an investigation, ordering
or taking of photographs or ordering or performing medical
examinations of a child or of an expectant mother under
this section shall have immunity from any liability, civil
or criminal, that results by reason of the action. For
the purpose of any proceeding, civil or criminal, the
good faith of any person reporting under this section
shall be presumed. The immunity provided under this subsection
does not apply to liability for abusing or neglecting
a child or for abusing an unborn child.
(5) Coroner's report. Any person
or official required to report cases of suspected child
abuse or neglect who has reasonable cause to suspect that
a child died as a result of child abuse or neglect shall
report the fact to the appropriate medical examiner or
coroner. The medical examiner or coroner shall accept
the report for investigation and shall report the findings
to the appropriate district attorney; to the department
or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more,
to a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department; to the county department and, if the institution
making the report initially is a hospital, to the hospital.
(6) Penalty. Whoever intentionally
violates this section by failure to report as required
may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more
than 6 months or both.
(7) Confidentiality. (a) All
reports made under this section, notices provided under
sub. (3)(bm) and records maintained by an agency and other
persons, officials and institutions shall be confidential.
Reports and records may be disclosed only to the following
persons:
1. The subject of a report, except that
the person or agency maintaining the record or report
may not disclose any information that would identify the
reporter.
1m. A reporter described in sub. (3)
(c) 6m. who makes a written request to an agency for information
regarding what action, if any, was taken to protect the
health and welfare of the child or unborn child who is
the subject of the report, unless a court order under
sub. (3) (c) 6m. prohibits disclosure of that information
to that reporter, except that the only information that
may be disclosed is information in the record regarding
what action, if any, was taken to protect the health and
welfare of the child or unborn child who is the subject
of the report.
2. Appropriate staff of an agency or
a tribal social services department.
2m. A person authorized to provide or
providing intake or dispositional services for the court
under s. 48.067, 48.069 or 48.10.
2r. A person authorized to provide or
providing intake or dispositional services under s. 938.067,
938.069 or 938.10.
3. An attending physician for purposes
of diagnosis and treatment.
3m. A child's parent, guardian or legal
custodian or the expectant mother of an unborn child,
except that the person or agency maintaining the record
or report may not disclose any information that would
identify the reporter.
4. A child's foster parent or other person having physical
custody of the child or a person having physical custody
of the expectant mother of an unborn child, except that
the person or agency maintaining the record or report
may not disclose any information that would identify the
reporter.
4m. A relative of a child placed outside
of his or her home only to the extent necessary to facilitate
the establishment of a relationship between the child
and the relative or a placement of the child with the
relative or to a person provided with the notice under
s. 48.21(5)(e), 48.355(2)(cm), or 48.357(2v)(d). In this
subdivision, "relative" includes a relative whose relationship
is derived through a parent of the child whose parental
rights are terminated.
4p. A public or private agency in this
state or any other state that is investigating a person
for purposes of licensing the person to operate a foster
home or placing a child for adoption in the home of the
person.
5. A professional employee of a county
department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 who is working with
the child or the expectant mother of the unborn child
under contract with or under the supervision of the county
department under s. 46.22 or, in a county having a population
of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child
welfare agency under contract with the department.
6. A multidisciplinary child abuse and
neglect or unborn child abuse team recognized by the county
department or, in a county having a population of 500,000
or more, the department or a licensed child welfare agency
under contract with the department.
6m. A person employed by a child advocacy
center recognized by the county board, the county department
or, in a county having a population of 500,000 or more,
the department or a licensed child welfare agency under
contract with the department, to the extent necessary
to perform the services for which the center is recognized
by the county board, the county department, the department
or the licensed child welfare agency.
8. A law enforcement officer or law enforcement
agency or a district attorney for purposes of investigation
or prosecution.
8m. The department of corrections, the
department of health services, a county department under
s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437 or any other
person under contract with the department of corrections,
the department of health services or a county department
under s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437 to exercise
custody or supervision over a person who is subject to
community placement for purposes of investigating or providing
services to a person who is subject to community placement
and who is the subject of a report. In making its investigation,
the department of corrections, department of health services,
county department or other person shall cooperate with
the agency making the investigation under sub. (3)(c)
or (d).
8s. Authorized representatives of the
department of corrections, the department of health services,
the department of justice, or a district attorney for
use in the prosecution of any proceeding or any evaluation
conducted under ch. 980, if the reports or records involve
or relate to an individual who is the subject of the proceeding
or evaluation. The court in which the proceeding under
ch. 980 is pending may issue any protective orders that
it determines are appropriate concerning information made
available or disclosed under this subdivision. Any representative
of the department of corrections, the department of health
services, the department of justice, or a district attorney
may disclose information obtained under this subdivision
for any purpose consistent with any proceeding under ch.
980.
9. A court or administrative agency for
use in a proceeding relating to the licensing or regulation
of a facility regulated under this chapter.
10. A court conducting proceedings under
s. 48.21 or 48.213, a court conducting proceedings related
to a petition under s. 48.13, 48.133 or 48.42 or a court
conducting dispositional proceedings under subch. VI or
VIII in which abuse or neglect of the child who is the
subject of the report or record or abuse of the unborn
child who is the subject of the report or record is an
issue.
10g. A court conducting proceedings under
s. 48.21, a court conducting proceedings related to a
petition under s. 48.13(3m) or (10m) or a court conducting
dispositional proceedings under subch. VI in which an
issue is the substantial risk of abuse or neglect of a
child who, during the time period covered by the report
or record, was in the home of the child who is the subject
of the report or record.
10j. A court conducting proceedings under
s. 938.21, a court conducting proceedings relating to
a petition under ch. 938 or a court conducting dispositional
proceedings under subch. VI of ch. 938 in which abuse
or neglect of the child who is the subject of the report
or record is an issue.
10m. A tribal court, or other adjudicative
body authorized by an Indian tribe to perform child welfare
functions, that exercises jurisdiction over children and
unborn children alleged to be in need of protection or
services for use in proceedings in which abuse or neglect
of the child who is the subject of the report or record
or abuse of the unborn child who is the subject of the
report or record is an issue.
10r. A tribal court, or other adjudicative
body authorized by an Indian tribe to perform child welfare
functions, that exercises jurisdiction over children alleged
to be in need of protection or services for use in proceedings
in which an issue is the substantial risk of abuse or
neglect of a child who, during the time period covered
by the report or record, was in the home of the child
who is the subject of the report or record.
11. The county corporation counsel or
district attorney representing the interests of the public,
the agency legal counsel and the counsel or guardian ad
litem representing the interests of a child in proceedings
under subd. 10., 10g or 10j and the guardian ad litem
representing the interests of an unborn child in proceedings
under subd. 10.
11m. An attorney representing the interests
of an Indian tribe in proceedings under subd. 10m. or
10r., of an Indian child in proceedings under subd. 10m.
or 10r. or of an Indian unborn child in proceedings under
subd. 10m.
11r. A volunteer court-appointed special
advocate designated under s. 48.236(1) or person employed
by a court-appointed special advocate program recognized
by the chief judge of a judicial administrative district
under s. 48.07(5), to the extent necessary for the court-appointed
special advocate to perform the advocacy services specified
in s. 48.236(3) that the court-appointed special advocate
was designated to perform in proceedings related to a
petition under s. 48.13.
12. A person engaged in bona fide research,
with the permission of the department. Information identifying
subjects and reporters may not be disclosed to the researcher.
13. The department, a county department
under s. 48.57(1)(e) or (hm) or a licensed child welfare
agency ordered to conduct a screening or an investigation
of a stepparent under s. 48.88(2)(c).
14. A grand jury if it determines that
access to specified records is necessary for the conduct
of its official business.
14m. A judge conducting proceedings under
s. 968.26.
15. A child fatality review team recognized
by the county department or, in a county having a population
of 500,000 or more, the department or a licensed child
welfare agency under contract with the department.
15g. A citizen review panel established
or designated by the department or a county department.
15m. A coroner, medical examiner or pathologist
or other physician investigating the cause of death of
a child whose death is unexplained or unusual or is associated
with unexplained or suspicious circumstances.
17. A federal agency, state agency of
this state or any other state or local governmental unit
located in this state or any other state that has a need
for a report or record in order to carry out its responsibility
to protect children from abuse or neglect or to protect
unborn children from abuse.
(am) Notwithstanding par. (a)(intro.),
a tribal agent who receives notice under sub. (3)(bm)
may disclose the notice to a tribal social services department.
(b) Notwithstanding par. (a), either
parent of a child may authorize the disclosure of a record
for use in a child custody proceeding under s. 767.41
or 767.451 or in an adoption proceeding under s. 48.833,
48.835, 48.837 or 48.839 when the child has been the subject
of a report. Any information that would identify a reporter
shall be deleted before disclosure of a record under this
paragraph.
(c) Notwithstanding par. (a), the subject
of a report may authorize the disclosure of a record to
the subject's attorney. The authorization shall be in
writing. Any information that would identify a reporter
shall be deleted before disclosure of a record under this
paragraph.
(cm) Notwithstanding par. (a), an agency
may disclose information from its records for use in proceedings
under s. 48.25(6), 813.122 or 813.125.
(cr)1. In this paragraph:
a. "Incident of death or serious injury"
means an incident in which a child has died or been placed
in serious or critical condition, as determined by a physician,
as a result of any suspected abuse or neglect that has
been reported under this section or in which a child who
has been placed outside the home by a court order under
this chapter or ch. 938 is suspected to have committed
suicide.
b. "Incident of egregious abuse or neglect"
means an incident of suspected abuse or neglect that has
been reported under this section, other than an incident
of death or serious injury, involving significant violence,
torture, multiple victims, the use of inappropriate or
cruel restraints, exposure of a child to a dangerous situation,
or other similar, aggravated circumstances.
2. Notwithstanding par. (a), if an agency
that receives a report under sub. (3) has reason to suspect
that an incident of death or serious injury or an incident
of egregious abuse or neglect has occurred, within 2 working
days after determining that such an incident is suspected
to have occurred the agency shall provide all of the following
information to the subunit of the department responsible
for statewide oversight of child abuse and neglect programs:
a. The name of the agency and the name
of a contact person at the agency.
b. Information about the child, including
the age of the child.
c. The date of the incident and the
suspected cause of the death, serious injury, or egregious
abuse or neglect of the child.
d. A brief history of any reports under
sub. (3) received in which the child, a member of the
child's family, or the person suspected of the abuse or
neglect was the subject and of any services under this
chapter offered or provided to any of those persons.
e. A statement of whether the child
was residing in his or her home or was placed outside
the home when the incident occurred.
f. The identity of any law enforcement
agency that referred the report of the incident and of
any law enforcement agency, district attorney, or other
officer or agency to which the report of the incident
was referred.
3. a. Within 2 working days after receiving
the information provided under subd. 2., the subunit of
the department that received the information shall disclose
to the public the fact that the subunit has received the
information; whether the department is conducting a review
of the incident and, if so, the scope of the review and
the identities of any other agencies with which the department
is cooperating at that point in conducting the review;
whether the child was residing in the home or was placed
in an out-of-home placement at the time of the incident;
and information about the child, including the age of
the child. If the information received is about an incident
of egregious abuse or neglect, the subunit of the department
shall make the same disclosure to a citizen review panel,
as described in par. (a)15g., and, in a county having
a population of 500,000 or more, to the Milwaukee child
welfare partnership council.
b. Within 90 days after receiving the
information provided under subd. 2., the subunit of the
department that received the information shall prepare,
transmit to the governor and to the appropriate standing
committees of the legislature under s. 13.172(3), and
make available to the public a summary report that contains
the information specified in subd. 4. or 5., whichever
is applicable. That subunit may also include in the summary
report a summary of any actions taken by the agency in
response to the incident and of any changes in policies
or practices that have been made to address any issues
raised in the review and recommendations for any further
changes in policies, practices, rules, or statutes that
may be needed to address those issues. If the subunit
does not include those actions or changes and recommended
changes in the summary report, the subunit shall prepare,
transmit to the governor and to the appropriate standing
committees of the legislature under s. 13.172(3), and
make available to the public a report of those actions
or changes and recommended changes within 6 months after
receiving the information provided under subd. 2. Those
committees shall review all summary reports and reports
of changes and recommended changes transmitted under this
subd. 3. b., conduct public hearings on those reports
no less often than annually, and submit recommendations
to the department regarding those reports.
c. Subdivision 3. a. and b. does not
preclude the subunit of the department that prepares the
summary report from releasing to the governor, to the
appropriate standing committees of the legislature under
s. 13.172(3), or to the public any of the information
specified in subd. 4. or 5. before the summary report
is transmitted to the governor and to those committees
and made available to the public; adding to or amending
a summary report if new information specified in subd.
4. or 5. is received after the summary report is transmitted
to the governor and to those committees and made available
to the public; or releasing to the governor, to those
committees, and to the public any information at any time
to correct any inaccurate information reported in the
news media.
4. If the child was residing in his or
her home when the incident of death or serious injury
or the incident of egregious abuse or neglect occurred,
the summary report under subd. 3. shall contain all of
the following:
a. Information about the child, including
the age, gender, and race or ethnicity of the child, a
description of the child's family, and, if relevant to
the incident, a description of any special needs of the
child.
b. A statement of whether any services
under this chapter or ch. 938 were being provided to the
child, any member of the child's family, or the person
suspected of the abuse or neglect, or whether any of those
persons was the subject of a report being investigated
under sub. (3) or of a referral to the agency for services,
at the time of the incident and, if so, the date of the
last contact between the agency providing those services
and the person receiving those services.
c. A summary of all involvement of the
child's parents and of the person suspected of the abuse
or neglect in any incident reported under sub. (3) or
in receiving services under this chapter or ch. 938 in
the 5 years preceding the date of the incident.
d. A summary of any actions taken by
the agency with respect to the child, any member of the
child's family, and the person suspected of the abuse
or neglect, including any investigation by the agency
under sub. (3) of a report in which any of those persons
was the subject and any referrals by the agency of any
of those persons for services.
e. The date of the incident and the
suspected cause of the death, serious injury, or egregious
abuse or neglect of the child, as reported by the agency
under subd. 2. c.
f. The findings on which the agency bases
its reasonable suspicion that an incident of death or
serious injury or an incident of egregious abuse or neglect
has occurred, including any material circumstances leading
to the death, serious injury, or egregious abuse or neglect
of the child.
g. A summary of any investigation that
has been conducted under sub. (3) of a report in which
the child, any member of the child's family, or the person
suspected of the abuse or neglect was the subject and
of any services that have been provided to the child and
the child's family since the date of the incident.
5. If the child was placed in an out-of-home
placement under this chapter or ch. 938 at the time of
the incident of death or serious injury or incident of
egregious abuse or neglect, the summary report under subd.
3. shall contain all of the following:
a. Information about the child, including
the age, gender, and race or ethnicity of the child and,
if relevant to the incident, a description of any special
needs of the child.
b. A description of the out-of-home placement,
including the basis for the decision to place the child
in that placement.
c. A description of all other persons
residing in the out-of-home placement.
d. The licensing history of the out-of-home
placement, including the type of license held by the operator
of the placement, the period for which the placement has
been licensed, and a summary of all violations by the
licensee of any provisions of licensure under s. 48.70(1)
or rules promulgated by the department under s. 48.67
and of any other actions by the licensee or an employee
of the licensee that constitute a substantial failure
to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare
of a child.
e. The date of the incident and the suspected
cause of the death, serious injury, or egregious abuse
or neglect of the child, as reported by the agency under
subd. 2. c.
f. The findings on which the agency bases
its reasonable suspicion that an incident of death or
serious injury or an incident of egregious abuse or neglect
has occurred, including any material circumstances leading
to the death, serious injury, or egregious abuse or neglect
of the child.
6. A summary report or other release
or disclosure of information under subd. 3. may not include
any of the following:
a. Any information that would reveal
the identity of the child who is the subject of the summary
report, any member of the child's family, any member of
the child's household who is a child, or any caregiver
of the child.
b. Any information that would reveal
the identity of the person suspected of the abuse or neglect
or any employee of any agency that provided services under
this chapter to the child or that participated in the
investigation of the incident of death or serious injury
or the incident of egregious abuse or neglect.
c. Any information that would reveal
the identity of a reporter or of any other person who
provides information relating to the incident of death
or serious injury or the incident of egregious abuse or
neglect.
d. Any information the disclosure of
which would not be in the best interests of the child
who is the subject of the summary report, any member of
the child's family, any member of the child's household
who is a child, or any caregiver of the child, as determined
by the subunit of the department that received the information,
after consultation with the agency that reported the incident
of death or serious injury or the incident of egregious
abuse or neglect, the district attorney of the county
in which the incident occurred, or the court of that county,
and after balancing the interest of the child, family
or household member, or caregiver in avoiding the stigma
that might result from disclosure against the interest
of the public in obtaining that information.
e. Any information the disclosure of
which is not authorized by state law or rule or federal
law or regulation.
7. The subunit of the department that
prepares a summary report or otherwise transmits, releases,
or discloses information under subd. 3. may not transmit
the summary report to the governor and to the appropriate
standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172(3),
make the summary report available to the public, or transmit,
release, or disclose the information to the governor,
to those standing committees, or to the public if the
subunit determines that transmitting or making the summary
report available or transmitting, releasing, or disclosing
the information would jeopardize any of the following:
a. Any ongoing or future criminal investigation
or prosecution or a defendant's right to a fair trial.
b. Any ongoing or future civil investigation
or proceeding or the fairness of such a proceeding.
8. If the department fails to disclose
to the governor, to the appropriate standing committees
of the legislature under s. 13.172(3), or to the public
any information that the department is required to disclose
under this paragraph, any person may request the department
to disclose that information. If the person's request
is denied, the person may petition the court to order
the disclosure of that information. On receiving a petition
under this subdivision, the court shall notify the department,
the agency, the district attorney, the child, and the
child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian of the petition.
If any person notified objects to the disclosure, the
court may hold a hearing to take evidence and hear argument
relating to the disclosure of the information. The court
shall make an in camera inspection of the information
sought to be disclosed and shall order disclosure of the
information, unless the court finds that any of the circumstances
specified in subd. 6. or 7. apply.
9. Any person acting in good faith in
providing information under subd. 2., in preparing, transmitting,
or making available a summary report under subd. 3., or
in otherwise transmitting, releasing, or disclosing information
under subd. 3. is immune from any liability, civil or
criminal, that may result by reason of those actions.
For purposes of any proceeding, civil or criminal, the
good faith of a person in providing information under
subd. 2., in preparing, transmitting, or making available
a summary report under subd. 3., or in otherwise transmitting,
releasing, or disclosing information under subd. 3. shall
be presumed.
(d) Notwithstanding par. (a), the department
may have access to any report or record maintained by
an agency under this section.
(dm) Notwithstanding par. (a), an agency
may enter the content of any report or record maintained
by the agency into the statewide automated child welfare
information system established under s. 48.47(7g).
(e) A person to whom a report or record
is disclosed under this subsection may not further disclose
it, except to the persons and for the purposes specified
in this section.
(f) Any person who violates this subsection,
or who permits or encourages the unauthorized dissemination
or use of information contained in reports and records
made under this section, may be fined not more than $1,000
or imprisoned not more than 6 months or both.
(8) Education, training and program
development and coordination. (a) The department,
the county departments, and a licensed child welfare agency
under contract with the department in a county having
a population of 500,000 or more to the extent feasible
shall conduct continuing education and training programs
for staff of the department, the county departments, licensed
child welfare agencies under contract with the department
or a county department, law enforcement agencies, and
the tribal social services departments, persons and officials
required to report, the general public, and others as
appropriate. The programs shall be designed to encourage
reporting of child abuse and neglect and of unborn child
abuse, to encourage self-reporting and voluntary acceptance
of services and to improve communication, cooperation,
and coordination in the identification, prevention, and
treatment of child abuse and neglect and of unborn child
abuse. Programs provided for staff of the department,
county departments, and licensed child welfare agencies
under contract with county departments or the department
whose responsibilities include the investigation or treatment
of child abuse or neglect shall also be designed to provide
information on means of recognizing and appropriately
responding to domestic abuse, as defined in s. 49.165(1)(a).
The department, the county departments, and a licensed
child welfare agency under contract with the department
in a county having a population of 500,000 or more shall
develop public information programs about child abuse
and neglect and about unborn child abuse.
(b) The department shall to the extent
feasible ensure that there are available in the state
administrative procedures, personnel trained in child
abuse and neglect and in unborn child abuse, multidisciplinary
programs and operational procedures and capabilities to
deal effectively with child abuse and neglect cases and
with unborn child abuse cases. These procedures and capabilities
may include, but are not limited to, receipt, investigation
and verification of reports; determination of treatment
or ameliorative social services; or referral to the appropriate
court.
(c) In meeting its responsibilities
under par. (a) or (b), the department, a county department
or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with
the department in a county having a population of 500,000
or more may contract with any public or private organization
which meets the standards set by the department. In entering
into the contracts the department, county department or
licensed child welfare agency shall give priority to parental
organizations combating child abuse and neglect or unborn
child abuse.
(d)1. Each agency staff member and supervisor
whose responsibilities include investigation or treatment
of child abuse and neglect or of unborn child abuse shall
successfully complete training in child abuse and neglect
protective services and in unborn child abuse protective
services approved by the department. The training shall
include information on means of recognizing and appropriately
responding to domestic abuse, as defined in s. 49.165(1)(a).
The department shall monitor compliance with this subdivision
according to rules promulgated by the department.
2. Each year the department shall make
available training programs that permit intake workers
and agency staff members and supervisors to satisfy the
requirements under subd. 1. and s. 48.06(1)(am)3. and
(2)(c).
(9) Annual and quarterly reports.
(a) Annual reports. Annually, the department shall prepare
and transmit to the governor, and to the legislature under
s. 13.172(2), a report on the status of child abuse and
neglect programs and on the status of unborn child abuse
programs. The report shall include a full statistical
analysis of the child abuse and neglect reports, and the
unborn child abuse reports, made through the last calendar
year, an evaluation of services offered under this section
and their effectiveness, and recommendations for additional
legislative and other action to fulfill the purpose of
this section. The department shall provide statistical
breakdowns by county, if requested by a county.
(b) Quarterly reports. 1. Within 30 days after
the end of each calendar quarter, the department shall
prepare and transmit to the governor, and to the appropriate
standing committees of the legislature under s. 13.172(3),
a summary report of all reports received by the department
under sub. (3)(c)8. during the previous calendar quarter
of abuse, as defined in s. 48.02(1)(b) to (f), of a child
who is placed in the home of a foster parent or relative
other than a parent or in a group home, shelter care facility,
or residential care center for children and youth. For
each report included in the summary report the department
shall provide the number of incidents of abuse reported;
the dates of those incidents; the county in which those
incidents occurred; the age or age group of the child
who is the subject of the report; the type of placement
in which the child was placed at the time of the incident;
whether it was determined under sub. (3)(c)4. that abuse
occurred; and, if so, the nature of the relationship between
the child and the person who abused the child, but may
not provide any of the information specified in sub. (7)(cr)6.
or any information that would jeopardize an investigation,
prosecution, or proceeding described in sub. (7)(cr)7.
a. or b.
2. In every 4th summary report prepared
and transmitted under subd. 1., the department shall provide
for all reports of abuse, as defined in s. 48.02(1)(b)
to (f), of a child who is placed as described in subd.
1. received by the department under sub. (3)(c)8. during
the previous year information indicating whether the abuse
resulted in any injury, disease, or pregnancy that is
known to be directly caused by the abuse, but may not
provide any of the information specified in sub. (7)(cr)6.
or any information that would jeopardize an investigation,
prosecution, or proceeding described in sub. (7)(cr)7.
a. or b. A county department reporting under sub. (3)(c)8.
shall make an active effort to obtain that information
and report the information to the department under sub.
(3)(c)8.
3. The appropriate standing committees
of the legislature shall review all summary reports transmitted
under subd. 1., conduct public hearings on those summary
reports no less often than annually, and submit recommendations
to the department regarding those summary reports. The
department shall also make those summary reports available
to the public.
(10) Current list of tribal agents.
The department shall annually provide to each agency described
in sub. (3)(bm)(intro.) a current list of all tribal agents
in the state.