LRB-2470/1
ARG:kjf
2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE
June 2, 2015 - Introduced by Senators Lassa,
Carpenter, Wirch, Hansen,
Shilling, Harris Dodd, L. Taylor and Ringhand, cosponsored by
Representatives Hesselbein, Thiesfeldt, Goyke, Milroy, Subeck, Ohnstad,
Wachs, Sinicki, Johnson, Pope, Considine, Zamarripa, Berceau, Hebl,
Shankland, Spreitzer, Riemer, Kolste, Kessler, Barca and Jorgensen.
Referred to Committee on Universities and Technical Colleges.
SB190,1,4
1An Act to renumber 38.12 (7);
to amend 36.31 (title); and
to create 36.11 (3)
2(cm) 6., 36.31 (4) and 38.12 (7) (b) of the statutes;
relating to: University of
3Wisconsin and technical college credits based on military training or
4experience.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law requires the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin (UW)
System to establish policies for transferring credits between UW System institutions
and allows the Board of Regents to establish policies for credit transfers with other
educational institutions. The Board of Regents and the Technical College System
(TCS) Board must also enter into an agreement, which private colleges may join, for
transferring credits for core general education courses.
Current law also requires technical college district boards to establish district
policies, which are subject to review and approval by the TCS Board.
This bill requires the Board of Regents and technical college district boards to
establish policies requiring, respectively, UW System institutions and technical
colleges to award academic credit to a student who is a current or former member of
the U.S. armed forces or of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces (veteran) for any
course that was part of the veteran's military training or service experience if the
veteran demonstrates that the course: 1) meets the standards of the American
Council on Education, or equivalent standards, for awarding academic credit; and
2) is similar in subject matter to a course offered by the UW System institution or
technical college.
For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be
printed as an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB190,1
1Section
1. 36.11 (3) (cm) 6. of the statutes is created to read:
SB190,2,22
36.11
(3) (cm) 6. Courses for which credits are awarded under s. 36.31 (4).
SB190,2
3Section
2. 36.31 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB190,2,5
436.31 (title)
Coordination with other educational agencies; credit for
5military training or experience.
SB190,3
6Section
3. 36.31 (4) of the statutes is created to read:
SB190,2,87
36.31
(4) (a) In this subsection, "veteran" means a student who is a current or
8former member of the U.S. armed forces or of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces.
SB190,2,119
(b) The board shall establish a policy that requires institutions to award
10academic credit to a veteran for any course that was part of the veteran's military
11training or service experience if the veteran demonstrates all of the following:
SB190,2,1312
1. That the course meets the standards of the American Council on Education,
13or equivalent standards, for awarding academic credit.
SB190,2,1514
2. That the course is similar in subject matter to a course offered by the
15institution.
SB190,4
16Section
4. 38.12 (7) of the statutes is renumbered 38.12 (7) (a).
SB190,5
17Section
5. 38.12 (7) (b) of the statutes is created to read:
SB190,3,218
38.12
(7) (b) The district board policies under par. (a) shall include a
19requirement that each technical college in the district award academic credit to a
20veteran, as defined in s. 36.31 (4) (a), for any course that was part of the veteran's
1military training or service experience if the veteran demonstrates all of the
2following:
SB190,3,43
1. That the course meets the standards of the American Council on Education,
4or equivalent standards, for awarding academic credit.
SB190,3,65
2. That the course is similar in subject matter to a course offered by the
6technical college.
