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WI SB990

WI SB990
The state or federal benefits of a child in out-of-home care. (FE)


summary

Introduced
02/06/2026
In Committee
02/06/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Under this bill, if the Department of Children and Families or a county department of human services or social services (collectively, the department) is appointed as representative payee for a child in out-of-home care who is receiving state or federal benefits, the department must conserve the child’s benefits in protected accounts that avoid asset limitations for federal and state programs, consistent with the best interests of the child; provide a periodic accounting to the child, the child’s attorney or guardian ad litem, and the child’s parent, guardian, or Indian custodian regarding the conservation and use of the child’s benefits while the child is in the department’s care; and work with the child and the appropriate federal agency to return remaining funds to the child or another fiduciary once the child exits the department’s care. Under the bill, the department may contract with a public or private agency to fulfill the requirements of the bill. The bill prohibits the department from using benefits received on behalf of a child to pay for the costs of caring for the child in out-of-home care. For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill. LRB-5998/1 EHS:cdc 2025 - 2026 Legislature SENATE BILL 990

AI Summary

This bill requires state or county departments responsible for children in out-of-home care, when appointed as a representative payee for a child's state or federal benefits, to manage these funds responsibly by conserving them in protected accounts that do not count against asset limits for other programs, ensuring this is done in the child's best interest. The departments must also provide regular updates on how the child's money is being managed and used to the child, their legal representative (attorney or guardian ad litem), and their parent or guardian, and assist the child in recovering any remaining funds when they leave the department's care. Importantly, these benefits cannot be used to cover the costs of the child's out-of-home care, and the department can hire other agencies to help fulfill these duties.

Committee Categories

Health and Social Services

Sponsors (10)

Last Action

Senate Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families Public Hearing (09:30:00 3/3/2026 330 Southwest) (on 03/03/2026)

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