Robert Wirch, Wisconsin State Senator for 22nd District | www.facebook.com
Robert Wirch, Wisconsin State Senator for 22nd District | www.facebook.com
According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "providing permanency plan and comments to out-of-home care providers in advance of a permanency plan review or hearing. (FE)".
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends current Wisconsin statutes to allow the agency that prepares a child's permanency plan to provide a copy of the plan and any comments to out-of-home care providers, such as foster parents and group home operators, before a permanency review or hearing. The bill ensures that any confidential information, as mandated by state or federal law, is redacted from documents before being shared with such providers. These amendments aim to ensure that out-of-home care providers are informed participants in the child's care and permanency planning process. The bill first applies to reviews or hearings beginning 30 days after its effective date.
The bill was co-authored by Representative David Murphy (Republican-56th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), and Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District).
Robert W. Wirch has co-authored or authored another 31 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.
Wirch graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Parkside in 1970 with a BA.
Wirch, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1997 to represent the state's 22nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Joseph F. Andrea.
In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| SB313 | 06/04/2025 | Providing permanency plan and comments to out-of-home care providers in advance of a permanency plan review or hearing. (FE) |
| SB246 | 05/09/2025 | A special observance day in schools for Armenian Genocide Awareness Day |
| SB193 | 04/14/2025 | Revoking a transfer of real property on death, obtaining evidence of the termination of a decedent’s property interests, disbursing deposits after rescission of real property wholesaler contracts, and filing satisfactions of judgment |
| SB153 | 03/21/2025 | Expanding the treatment alternatives and diversion programs. (FE) |
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