The right of a parent to have counsel in a proceeding for a child alleged to be in need of protection or services; the power of the juvenile court to appoint counsel in such a proceeding; granting rule-making authority; and making appropriations. (FE)

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill permits the court assigned to exercise jurisdiction under the Children's Code (juvenile court) to appoint counsel for any party to a child in need of protection or services (CHIPS) proceeding. Current law prohibits the juvenile court from appointing counsel for any party to a CHIPS proceeding, other than the child, but that prohibition was ruled unconstitutional by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in Joni B. v. State, 202 Wis. 2d 1 (1996).

The bill also requires a parent of a child who is the subject of a CHIPS proceeding to be represented by counsel in the proceeding, if the child has been taken into custody or ordered to be placed outside of his or her home. In that situation, the parent must be referred to the State Public Defender, who must appoint counsel for the parent without a determination of indigency. The juvenile court may, however, order the parent to reimburse the state for all or part of the costs of that representation at the conclusion of the proceeding. These provisions sunset on June 30, 2019.

Who's behind it

6 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 6 are Democrats.

1 more lawmaker signed on in support⁠.

What it would cost

State agencies filed a cost estimate. Each opens as a PDF from the Legislature.

• Fiscal Estimate From DCF