AB 897

Under current law, in a proceeding to determine whether a child or unborn child is in need of protection or services (CHIPS or UCHIPS), and in a termination of parental rights (TPR) proceeding, a child or the child’s parent, guardian, or legal custodian; an unborn child’s guardian ad litem; or an expectant mother of an unborn child has a statutory right to a jury trial in the fact-finding portion of the proceeding. This bill eliminates that statutory right in a CHIPS or UCHIPS proceeding, unless the child who is the subject of the petition is subject to the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act.

The bill also changes who may request substitution of judge in a TPR proceeding. Under current law, the child, the child’s parent, the guardian or legal custodian, the expectant mother, or the unborn child’s guardian ad litem may each request substitution of judge one time before the plea hearing. Under the bill, only the petitioner or the parent may request substitution of judge, and if a new judge is assigned to the proceeding, a party’s request for substitution must be submitted no later than 10 days after receipt of notice of the new assignment.