Two Bills to Support Children and Families Signed into Law


MADISON - Today, Governor Tony Evers signed into law two bipartisan bills authored by Representative Lisa Subeck that improve the lives of children and families. The bills include Act 92 (AB 564) and Act 95 (SB 158).

Act 92 expands eligibility for federal special needs adoption assistance in Wisconsin to include families adopting children 7 years of age and older or adopting siblings who are waiting for permanent adoptive placements.

Act 95 creates an administrative paternity option, with safety mechanisms in place for the best interest of the child, to allow fathers who go through genetic testing to opt out of having to establish paternity through a court hearing.  This change will not only speed up the paternity process, but also help alleviate some of the strain on an already overburdened court system.

“Act 92 will help children in our child welfare system who are waiting far too long for forever homes and forever families. And Act 95 simplifies the process of paternity adjudication, removing a barrier that can cause unnecessary delays for families seeking child support,” said Rep. Subeck. “These two bipartisan bills signed by the governor today will improve the lives of children and families in our communities.”

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