AB673: Bill Text

LRB-2520/2

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2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 673

September 19, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Wieckert, Loeffelholz, Gard, Suder, Hines, Ainsworth, Hundertmark, Owens, Turner, McCormick, Sheridan, Towns and Bies, cosponsored by Senators Zien, Hansen, Roessler and Erpenbach. Referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs.

AB673,1,2 An Act to amend 14.16 (9); and to create 45.09 of the statutes; relating to: Veteran Awareness Week and veterans who volunteer in schools.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill designates the first full week of November in which November 11 falls as Veteran Awareness Week, to honor the contributions and sacrifices of veterans. Currently that week is designated "Hire a Veteran Week." The bill also provides a certificate of achievement and appreciation to veterans who voluntarily serve in private or public schools. To receive the certificate, the veteran must complete 20 hours of service in a classroom that involves direct contact with students, emphasizing the lessons the veteran learned from his or her military experience.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB673, s. 1 Section 1. 14.16 (9) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB673,2,5 14.16 (9) Hire a Veteran Awareness Week. To recognize the contribution and sacrifices veterans have made to our society, including those who have given their lives in service and the special needs of unemployed veterans and to encourage the hiring of unemployed veterans, the 2nd first full week of November in which November 11 falls is designated "Hire a Veteran Awareness Week". The governor shall issue annually a suitable proclamation for the observance of "Hire a Veteran Awareness Week" encouraging all citizens to honor veterans during the week, emphasizing educational efforts directed at teaching students concerning the contributions and sacrifices of veterans and encouraging employers to hire veterans.

AB673, s. 2 Section 2. 45.09 of the statutes is created to read:

AB673,2,7 45.09 Veterans as classroom volunteers. (1) In this section:

AB673,2,8 (a) "Private school" has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (3r).

AB673,2,9 (b) "Public school" has the meaning given in s. 115.01 (1).

AB673,2,10 (c) "School term" has the meaning given in s. 115.001 (12).

AB673,2,13 (2) Subject to subs. (3) and (4), the department shall award a certificate of achievement and appreciation to any veteran who completes 20 hours of volunteer service in a public or private school during a school term.

AB673,2,15 (3) A certificate shall be awarded under sub. (2) if all of the following requirements are met:

AB673,2,18 (a) The volunteer service consists of classroom service that involves direct interaction with pupils, with an emphasis on sharing the lessons the veteran learned from his or her military experience.

AB673,2,20 (b) The veteran is not an employee of the school or school district during the term in which the volunteer service takes place.

AB673,2,23 (c) By July 1 after the school term in which the volunteer service takes place, the veteran submits to the department a form signed by the school principal verifying that the veteran fulfilled the 20 hours of volunteer service specified under par. (a).

AB673,2,24 (End)