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Chippewa Valley Times

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

Rep. Armstrong of Wisconsin Assembly authors bill on parental rights disclaimer

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David Armstrong, Wisconsin State Representative for 67th District | https://www.facebook.com/RepArmstrongWI/

David Armstrong, Wisconsin State Representative for 67th District | https://www.facebook.com/RepArmstrongWI/

A new bill authored by State Rep. David Armstrong in the Wisconsin Assembly seeks to revise procedures for disclaiming parental rights and regulate payments to adoption agencies, according to the Wisconsin State Assembly.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "a disclaimer of parental rights and payments allowed in connection with an adoption".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends and creates statutes related to the disclaimer of parental rights and payments concerning adoption services. It introduces a procedure allowing parents to disclaim their parental rights to a child under one year old through a notarized affidavit, bypassing the need for a court appearance, unless the child is known to be an Indian child. The disclaimer can be revoked within a specified timeframe unless committed under fraud or duress, and it becomes irrevocable if not challenged within three months. The bill also stipulates that adoption orders cannot be finalized until three months after executing a disclaimer affidavit. Additionally, it permits payments for services to out-of-state child-placing agencies licensed in their respective states, provided compliance with the federal Indian Child Welfare Act. The bill mandates that agencies provide counseling to parents planning to file a disclaimer, including legal counseling for minors.

The bill was co-authored by Senator André Jacque (Republican-1st District), Representative Scott Allen (Republican-82nd District), Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), Representative Rick Gundrum (Republican-58th District), Representative Daniel Knodl (Republican-24th District). It was co-sponsored by Senator Cory Tomczyk (Republican-29th District), along three other co-sponsors.

David Armstrong has co-authored or authored another 22 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Armstrong, a Republican, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in 2025 to represent the state's 67th Assembly district, replacing previous state representative Rob Summerfield.

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.

Bills Introduced by David Armstrong in Wisconsin Assembly During 2025 Regular Session

Bill NumberDate IntroducedShort Description
AB7002/24/2025A disclaimer of parental rights and payments allowed in connection with an adoption
AB6402/24/2025An income tax subtraction for certain expenses paid by a school teacher. (FE)
AB6302/24/2025Financing the operating costs and certain out-of-state projects of nonprofit institutions and compensation of employees of the Wisconsin Health and Educational Facilities Authority. (FE)
AB5902/24/2025The use of federal capitalization grant funds for lead service line replacement. (FE)
AB5302/24/2025Special circumstances battery to a community service officer and providing a penalty
AB4102/17/2025Local regulation of vegetable gardens
AB3502/17/2025Withdrawal of candidacy for certain offices filled at the general election and providing a penalty. (FE)
AB2102/06/2025Technical colleges’ lease of their facilities to others. (FE)
AB1202/06/2025State agency status for certain physician assistants and advanced practice nurses who provide services without compensation for local health departments or school districts. (FE)

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