1. (1) Persons liable. Except as provided in sub. (2), any of the following persons shall be liable for a fee:

   1. (a) A client who is not a minor at the time the service is provided.

      Note: An adult is not liable for a fee for services received as a minor.

   2. (b) A parent of a minor client.
   3. (c) The spouse of a client.
   4. (d) The surety company if the condition of a bond under s. 48.839 (1) or 48.98 (2), Stats., is met.
   5. (e) A person, other than a county department or a licensed child-placing agency, that brought a child into this state for the purpose of placing the child in a foster home if the conditions in s. 48.98 (2), Stats., are met.
   6. (f) Any other person liable by contract, law, or as determined by a court.

2. (2) Fee prohibited. A county department or the department may not charge a fee to any of the following persons:

   1. (a) A client who is a minor at the time the service is provided.
   2. (b) Any other person determined not liable by a court.

3. (3) Discretionary waiver.

   1. (a) A county department or the department may refrain from charging a fee, compromise the amount of a fee, or forgive all or part of a fee debt if the county department or the department determines that any of the following apply:

      1. 1. The individual receives medical assistance, supplemental security income, or social security disability insurance.
      2. 2. No payments are currently required because the individual’s maximum monthly payment amount is $0.
      3. 3. Collection is inappropriate due to the needs of the individual or the individual’s family.
      4. 4. Collection is administratively unfeasible.
      5. 5. Collection would significantly prevent accomplishing the purpose of the service.
   2. (b) A county department or the department may waive all or part of an individual’s fee liability for a reason specified in par. (a) at any time.
   3. (c) The county department or the department shall document any fee liability that is waived as provided in s. DCF 1.05 (7) (a) 4.

History

History: CR 24-006: cr. Register December 2024 No. 828, eff. 1-1-25.