Senate Bill 893 amends existing laws related to the termination of parental rights under Wisconsin's safe haven law. The bill mandates that a district attorney, corporation counsel, or designated official must file a petition to terminate the parental rights of a newborn child who has been relinquished, or join an existing petition. This petition must be filed in the county where the relinquishment occurred, no sooner than 30 days and no later than 60 days after the juvenile court has found probable cause to believe that the child was relinquished.

Additionally, the bill makes several amendments to existing statutes, including changes to the language regarding the appointment and removal of guardians for children whose custody has been relinquished. It specifies that venue for proceedings concerning a child whose custody has been relinquished will be in the county of relinquishment, and it introduces a new section that outlines the requirements for filing a petition to terminate parental rights in such cases. The bill is set to take effect six months after publication.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 48.14(2)(a), 48.14, 48.14(2)(b), 48.185(2), 48.185