The new bill authored by State Rep. David Murphy in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to enhance communication by allowing agencies to share permanency plans with foster and group home providers, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.
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 permits agencies to provide a child’s permanency plan and associated written comments to out-of-home care providers, such as foster parents and group home operators, prior to permanency reviews or hearings. This provision aims to enhance the involvement of out-of-home care providers by ensuring they are informed about the permanency plans. Any information within these documents that is required to remain confidential under federal or state law must be redacted to protect the child’s privacy. This bill first applies to a permanency review or hearing that commences on the 30th day after its effective date.
The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Joy L. Goeben (Republican-5th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District), Representative Jerry L. O’Connor (Republican-60th District), and Representative Chuck Wichgers (Republican-84th District). It was sponsored by Senator Robert W. Wirch (Democrat-22nd District).
David Murphy has co-authored or authored another 138 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with all of them being adopted.
Murphy graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley in 1974.
Murphy, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2013 to represent the state’s 56th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Michelle Litjens.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| AB328 | 07/08/2025 | Providing permanency plan and comments to out-of-home care providers in advance of a permanency plan review or hearing. (FE) |
| AB282 | 05/30/2025 | Local government rules of proceedings and consideration of ordinances or resolutions for which enactment or adoption previously failed. (FE) |
| AB236 | 05/02/2025 | The rights of sexual assault crime victims |
| AB127 | 03/11/2025 | The duty of a pharmacist to dispense lawfully prescribed drugs and devices. (FE) |
| AB69 | 02/24/2025 | The sales and use tax exemption for electricity and natural gas sold for residential use. (FE) |
| AB58 | 02/24/2025 | Flags flown, hung, or displayed from a flagpole or the exterior of state and local buildings and eliminating a related administrative rule |
| AB55 | 02/24/2025 | Possession of a firearm on school grounds by school employees and fees for licenses to carry a concealed weapon. (FE) |
| AB47 | 02/17/2025 | Tuition and fee remission for certain veterans and their dependents enrolled in the University of Wisconsin System or a technical college. (FE) |
| AB27 | 02/17/2025 | Expanding veterans benefits to individuals who served in Laos in support of the United States during the Vietnam War |
