HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2016 (03) Resolution No. 3 (2016)
ST RO .,, RESOLUTION OPPOSING SENATE BILL 326/ASSEMBLY
' �' BILL 429 AFFECTING CHILD WELFARE PRACTICE
1 RESOLUTION OPPOSING SENATE BILL 326/ASSEMBLY BILL 429 AFFECTING CHILD
2 WELFARE PRACTICE
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5 WHEREAS, Senate Bi11326/Assembly Bill 429 have been introduced by Senator Robert
6 Cowles and Representative John Macco; and
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8 WHEREAS, the bills relate to the referral of cases of suspected or threatened child abuse
9 or neglect to the sheriff or police department, coordination of the investigation of those cases,
10 and referral of those cases to the district attorney for criminal prosecution; and
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12 WHEREAS, the bills, on their face, might seem favorable, we believe the bills actually
13 compromise child welfare best practice; and
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15 WHEREAS, even though the legislation impacts child welfare practice, the state
16 Department of Children and Families, Office of Children's Mental Health, county child welfare
17 agencies, and child advocacy organizations were not consulted on the legislation; and
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19 WHEREAS, the legislation requires child welfare agencies to "coordinate in the planning
20 and execution of the investigation"in all cases, including screened out cases in which the child
21 welfare agency lacks statutory authority to act; and
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23 WHEREAS, the bills require all reports to be referred to law enforcement within twelve (12)
24 hours, allowing for no prioritization of cases; and
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26 WHEREAS, counties and law enforcement in most jurisdictions have a positive working
27 relationship and have entered into Memorandums of Understanding with regard to how local
28 agencies will respond to reports of child abuse and neglect; and
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30 WHEREAS, counties have requested that the proponents of the legislation bring all parties
31 impacted by the legislation together so all gain an understanding of the others' needs; and
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33 WHEREAS, counties believe a compromise on the legislation can be negotiated; no such
34 meeting has yet to take place.
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36 THEREFORE, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors does hereby
37 oppose Senate Bill 326/Assembly Bill 429; and
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39 FURTHER, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors renews the request
40 for a meeting of all interested parties to discuss the legislation in greater detail.
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42 FURTHER, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors directs the County
43 Clerk to forward this resolution to the office of the governor, assembly members and senators
44 representing St. Croix County, and Wisconsin Counties Association.
Legal—Fiscal—Administrative Approvals:
Legal Note:
Fiscal Impact: No financial impact determined at this time.
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Pa County Admini I?.J2 015
12/08/15 Health & Human Services Board APPROVED AS AMENDED
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RESULT: APPROVED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ron Kiesler, Supervisor
SECONDER: Paulette Anderson, Supervisor
AYES: Babbitt, Logelin, Kiesler, Anderson, Leibfried, Rasmussen
ABSENT: Howard Novotny, Chris Kilber, Lisa Ramsay
Vote Confirmation.
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St. Croix County Board of Supervisors Action:
Roll Call -Vote Requirement— Majority of Supervisors Present
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RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Christopher Babbitt, Supervisor
SECONDER: Scott Nelson, Supervisor
AYES: Ring, Babbitt, Novotny, Sjoberg, Koch, Nelson, Berke, Ostness, Larson, Hansen,
Kiesler, Brinkman, Peterson, Anderson, Achterhof, Leibfried, Peavey
ABSENT: Travis Schachtner, Chris Kilber
This Resolution was Adopted by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors on January 5, 2016
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk