The notice of an investigation of child abuse or neglect or unborn child abuse provided to appropriate authorities of the U.S. Department of Defense. (FE)

What it does

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

Under current law, if a county department of human services or social services or, in Milwaukee County, the Department of Children and Families or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with DCF (collectively “agency”) determines that a caregiver is suspected of committing or threatening abuse or neglect of a child or that a person who is not a caregiver has committed or threatened abuse of a child related to sex trafficking; cannot identify an individual who is suspected of abuse or neglect or of threatened abuse or neglect of a child; or suspects abuse of an unborn child, the agency must, within 24 hours after receiving the report, initiate a diligent investigation to determine if the child or unborn child is in need of protection or services.

Under this bill, if an agency knows or has reason to know that a parent of a child or unborn child with respect to whom the agency has initiated such an investigation is a member of the U.S. armed forces, a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, or the Wisconsin national guard, the agency must provide notice of that investigation to the appropriate authorities of the U.S. Department of Defense within 24 hours. The bill requires the notice to consist only of the name and address of the child or expectant mother and the fact that an investigation has been initiated about that child or unborn child. The bill imposes the same confidentiality requirements on such a notice as current law imposes on all reports of suspected child abuse or neglect.

Who's behind it

André Jacque, a Republican, is its author⁠.

9 more lawmakers 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

Versions and amendments

Every text the Legislature printed for this bill, including proposed changes. Each opens on the Legislature's site.

• Amendment Histories
• LC Amendment Memo