Wisconsin takes step towards right to counsel for parents
04/04/2018
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Wisconsin
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Pilot
, Abuse/Neglect/Dependency - Accused Parents
Wisconsin is one of the few states in the country that doesn’t guarantee counsel for parents in dependency proceedings (which are called CHIPS proceedings in Wisconsin). On April 5, the Governor of Wisconsin signed AB 784, which creates a 5-county pilot program where all indigent parents in those counties will be provided counsel from 2018 through 2021. In 2021, the PD’s office and the “department” (social services or human services, depending on the county) have to submit a report regarding “costs and data” from the pilot. $739,600 was appropriated for the pilot in FY18-19.
