AB183: Bill Text

LRB-1482/2

MPG:kjf:jf

2015 - 2016 LEGISLATURE

2015 Assembly BILL 183

April 22, 2015 - Introduced by Representatives Hesselbein, Milroy, Subeck, Mason, Kolste, Ohnstad, Wachs, Sinicki, Thiesfeldt, Johnson, Pope, Considine, Zamarripa, Berceau, Hebl, Shankland, Spreitzer and Riemer, cosponsored by Senators Lassa, Wirch and Carpenter. Referred to Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs.

AB183,1,2 An Act to create 321.06 of the statutes; relating to: task force on issues concerning service members returning home from war.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill requires the adjutant general of the Department of Military Affairs to establish a task force to study issues concerning service members returning home from war. The task force consists of the following members:

1. The adjutant general or his or her designee.

2. The secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs or his or her designee.

3. The president of the University of Wisconsin System or his or her designee.

4. The president of the Technical College System Board or his or her designee.

5. The secretary of the Department of Workforce Development or his or her designee.

6. The secretary of the Department of Health Services or his or her designee.

7. Five public members appointed by the adjutant general, at least three of whom have knowledge or experience concerning demobilization and post deployment; post traumatic stress disorder; family readiness groups or family assistance centers; employer support groups; veterans service officers; veterans service organizations; issues relevant to women in the military; or veterans homeless shelters.

Under the bill, the primary function of the task force is to identify and review the issues and concerns facing service members returning from overseas deployments in combat zones and hazardous duty areas. The bill requires the task force to make findings and prepare recommendations concerning the measures the task force believes the state should take to address and remedy those issues and concerns. In making its findings and preparing its recommendations, the bill requires the task force to examine current data, research, programs, and initiatives related to the physical, social, emotional, and mental impact of military service upon service members and their families and to identify effective strategies for promoting the lifelong physical, social, emotional, and mental health of service members and their families.

No later than six months after the date of the task force's first meeting, the task force is required to submit a final report to the legislature and the governor that contains the task force's findings and recommendations. The task force ceases to exist on the 30th day after it submits its final report.

For further information see the state 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:

AB183,1 Section 1. 321.06 of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,2,3 321.06 Service members returning home from war. (1) Definitions. In this section:

AB183,2,5 (a) "Service member" means a member of the U.S. armed forces or the national guard.

AB183,2,6 (b) "Task force" means the advisory committee established under sub. (2).

AB183,2,10 (2) Establishment and organization. (a) The adjutant general shall establish an advisory committee under s. 15.04 (1) (c) as a task force to study issues concerning service members returning home from war. The task force shall consist of the following members:

AB183,2,11 1. The adjutant general or his or her designee.

AB183,2,12 2. The secretary of veterans affairs or his or her designee.

AB183,2,13 3. The president of the University of Wisconsin System or his or her designee.

AB183,2,14 4. The president of the technical college system board or his or her designee.

AB183,2,15 5. The secretary of workforce development or his or her designee.

AB183,3,1 6. The secretary of health services or his or her designee.

AB183,3,6 7. Five public members, at least 3 of whom have knowledge or experience concerning demobilization and post deployment; post traumatic stress disorder; family readiness groups or family assistance centers; employer support groups; veterans service officers; veterans service organizations; issues relevant to women in the military; or veterans homeless shelters.

AB183,3,9 (b) The adjutant general shall appoint the members of the task force specified in par. (a) 7., shall appoint or determine the method of appointment of the officers of the task force, and shall call the first meeting of the task force.

AB183,3,15 (c) The department shall provide administrative support services to the task force. The task force may call upon any state agency or officer to assist the task force, and those agencies or officers shall cooperate with the task force to the fullest extent possible. The department may contract with professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in matters with which the task force is concerned to assist the task force in making its findings and recommendations under sub. (3).

AB183,3,20 (3) Duties. (a) The task force shall identify and review the issues and concerns facing service members returning from overseas deployments in combat zones and hazardous duty areas, and the task force shall make findings and prepare recommendations concerning the measures the state should take to address and remedy those issues and concerns, including legislation, if appropriate.

AB183,3,22 (b) In making its findings and preparing its recommendations under par. (a), the task force shall do all of the following:

AB183,3,25 1. Examine current data, research, programs, and initiatives related to the physical, social, emotional, and mental impact of military service upon service members and their families.

AB183,4,2 2. Identify effective strategies for promoting the lifelong physical, social, emotional, and mental health of service members and their families.

AB183,4,6 (c) No later than 6 months after the date of the task force's first meeting called by the adjutant general under sub. (2) (b), the task force shall submit a final report to the legislature under s. 13.172 (2), and to the governor, that contains the task force's findings and recommendations under par. (a).

AB183,4,8 (4) Dissolution. The task force shall cease to exist on the 30th day after it submits its final report under sub. (3) (c).

AB183,4,9 (End)