Senate Bill 886 proposes significant changes to the legal proceedings concerning children in need of protection or services (CHIPS) and the termination of parental rights (TPR) in Wisconsin. The bill eliminates the statutory right to a jury trial in CHIPS or UCHIPS proceedings, except when the child involved is subject to the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act. Additionally, it modifies the process for requesting a substitution of judge in TPR proceedings, allowing only the petitioner or the parent to make such requests, and stipulating that any request for substitution must be submitted within 10 days of receiving notice of a new judge assignment.

The bill amends existing statutes by removing the general right to a jury trial in certain cases and clarifying that hearings concerning children who are not Indian children will be conducted by the court unless a jury trial is demanded. It also establishes that only one request for substitution of judge can be made per action, and it cannot name more than one judge. These changes aim to streamline the judicial process in sensitive child welfare cases while maintaining certain protections for Indian children.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 48.243(1)(g), 48.243, 48.31(2), 48.31