Wisconsin Assembly Puts Children First

Passes Legislation to Aid Counties with Performing Child Protective Services

Madison... Today, the Wisconsin State Assembly voted to pass Assembly Bill 290, legislation introduced by Reps. Kathy Bernier (R-Lake Hallie) and Rob Summerfield (R-Bloomer) and Sen. Terry Moulton (R-Chippewa Falls). The bill would allow counties to enter into contracts with each other to perform certain Child Protective Services (CPS).

"In rural Wisconsin especially, our human services departments are understaffed and overworked. However, by allowing counties to contract with one another to perform child protective services, we are able to have our communities come together and address these problems as a group," said Summerfield. "This bill will immediately impact Chippewa, Monroe, Taylor, and Pepin counties and allow them to realize their goal of creating the Western Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Partnership -- a group, I believe, that will truly make a difference for children in our area."

"I am pleased that AB 290 received overwhelming bi-partisan support," said Bernier. "The bill simply confirms counties may work together to find efficiencies where possible to ensure quality outcomes when it comes to sensitive matters such as child protective services. I applaud the efforts of County Human Service Directors for their work to bring this idea forward."

Assembly Bill 290 now moves to the Senate for consideration. Senate Bill 226, the companion bill to AB 290, has yet to receive a public hearing.

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