45.12
45.12
County veterans' service commission. 45.12(1)
(1) There is created in each county a county veterans' service commission consisting of 3 residents of the county who are veterans appointed for staggered 3-year terms by the county executive or county board chairperson in a county that does not have a county executive.
45.12(2)
(2) The commission shall be organized by the election of one of their number as chairperson. The county executive or county board chairperson in a county which does not have a county executive after the expiration of the terms of those first appointed shall annually on or before the 2nd Monday in December appoint one person as a member of the commission for the term of 3 years. The county executive or county board chairperson shall require each member of the commission and the county veterans' service officer to execute to the county an individual surety bond, with sufficient sureties to be approved by the county executive or county board chairperson, each bond to be in an amount equal to the tax levied in the current year for expenditure by the commission. Each bond shall be filed with the county clerk.
45.12 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
VA 8, Wis. adm. code.
45.13
45.13
Records of meetings and investigations kept by service officer. The county veterans' service officer shall serve as executive secretary of the county veterans' service commission and shall make or direct all necessary investigations to determine eligibility for aid under
s. 45.10 when so requested by the commission. The county service officer, in making such investigation, may use the facilities for investigating that are made available by the county board of the county.
45.13 History
History: 1989 a. 56.
45.14
45.14
Administration of aid. 45.14(1)
(1) In this section, "commission" means the county veterans' service commission.
45.14(1m)
(1m) The commission shall meet, at the courthouse or at any other place that the county board designates, on or before the first Monday of January in each year and at any other times that may be necessary.
45.14(2)(a)(a) Except as provided under
sub. (3), the commission may furnish aid to any person within
s. 45.10 if the right of that person to aid is established to the commission's satisfaction.
45.14(2)(b)
(b) The secretary of the commission shall make and deposit with the county clerk a list containing the name, place of residence, and amount to be paid to each person furnished with aid under
par. (a), which shall be signed by the chairperson and secretary of the commission.
45.14(2)(c)
(c) The total disbursements made by the commission under this subsection shall not exceed the amount collected from the tax levied. When a list under
par. (b) is filed, the county clerk shall issue an order upon the county treasurer for the sum designated in the list in each case and deliver that sum to the person entitled to that sum.
45.14(2)(d)
(d) The commission may furnish aid in a different manner than by supplying money. The commission may request the county clerk to issue an order upon the county treasurer to a purveyor of services or commodities for the purchase of services or commodities, or the commission may furnish supplies, as it considers best.
45.14(2)(e)
(e) The commission shall make a detailed report to the county board at each annual session of the county board showing the amount expended under this subsection.
45.14(3)
(3) A county veterans' service officer appointed under
s. 45.43 (1) (b) or
(4) shall have the administrative powers and duties prescribed for the county veterans' service commission under
sub. (2).
45.15
45.15
Commission, compensation. The county board shall allow the members of the commission a reasonable rate of compensation for services and actual expenses incurred in the performance of their duties to be determined pursuant to
s. 59.22. The county board may provide for the employment of clerical assistance to the commission.
45.15 History
History: 1995 a. 201.
45.16
45.16
Burial allowance. Each county veterans' service officer shall cause to be interred in a decent and respectable manner in any cemetery in this state, other than those used exclusively for the burial of paupers, the body of any person who was living in the county at the time of death, meets the definition of a "veteran" under
s. 45.35 (5) and who dies not leaving sufficient means to defray the necessary expenses of a decent burial, or under financial circumstances that would distress the person's family to pay the expenses of the burial, and the body of a spouse or surviving spouse of the person who dies not leaving such means or under the same financial circumstances and who was living in the county at the time of death, at an expense to the county of not more than $300 in addition to the burial allowance payable under laws administered by the U.S. department of veterans affairs.
45.17
45.17
Investigation and report. Before assuming the burial expense, the county veterans' service officer shall make a careful inquiry into and examination of all the circumstances in the case to ascertain the existence of either financial condition required by
s. 45.16. The officer shall report to the county clerk that the officer found the required financial condition, the facts supporting the finding, the name and date of death of the deceased, the place where buried and an itemized statement of the burial expenses.
45.17 History
History: 1989 a. 56;
1997 a. 116.
45.18
45.18
Order for expenses; headstone. The chairperson of the county board and the clerk of the county on the receipt of the report under
s. 45.17 shall draw an order on the county treasurer for the amount of expenses so incurred, payable to the person designated in the report as being entitled thereto. The county veterans' service officer of each county shall, upon the death and burial of any such person living in the county at the time of death, make application to the proper authorities for a suitable headstone as provided for by act of congress, and at the expense of the county cause the same to be placed at the head of his or her grave.
45.18 History
History: 1983 a. 538;
1987 a. 403 s.
255.
45.185
45.185
Care of soldiers' graves. 45.185(1)
(1) Every town board, village board or common council of every city shall at all times see that the graves and tombstones of all members of the armed forces of the United States, including women's auxiliary organizations created by act of congress, who shall at any time have served in any branch of the armed forces of the United States, and of the spouses or surviving spouses of all such members of the armed forces, receive proper and decent care, and may employ all necessary assistance to carry out this section. The expense of the care of such graves and tombstones shall be borne by the respective counties where the said graves are located, except where suitable care is otherwise provided. The amount of expense so charged the county for such care shall not exceed the charge made for the care of other graves in the same cemetery.
45.185(2)
(2) The municipal governing bodies specified in
sub. (1) shall report to the county clerk of their respective counties, on or before September 1 of each year, the respective locations of the graves cared for by them under
sub. (1), together with the names of the deceased and the amount claimed for care of the graves for the fiscal year from the previous July 1 to June 30.
45.185(3)
(3) The chairperson of the county board and the county clerk, upon receipt of the report under
sub. (2), shall draw an order on the county treasurer for the amount of the expenses incurred in caring for the graves, payable to the person or persons designated in the report as being entitled thereto.
45.19
45.19
Military honors funerals. 45.19(1)
(1) The department shall administer a program to coordinate the provision of military honors funerals to deceased veterans by local units of member organizations of the council on veterans programs and by members of the Wisconsin national guard activated under
s. 21.11 (3). From the appropriation under
s. 20.485 (2) (q), the department shall reimburse a local unit of a member organization of the council on veterans programs for the costs of providing a military honors funeral to a deceased veteran. The reimbursement may not exceed $50 for each military honors funeral.
45.19(2)
(2) The department shall create a tuition voucher form to be used by funeral directors under
sub. (3). The department shall distribute copies of the tuition voucher form, plus an explanation of the form's use, to every operator of a funeral establishment. The department may not charge a fee for the tuition voucher form or for the distribution of the form.
45.19(3)
(3) A funeral director may issue a tuition voucher in the amount of $25 to an individual who sounds "Taps" on a bugle, trumpet, or cornet during a military honors funeral held in this state for a deceased veteran and who is a student in grades 6 to 12 or at an institution of higher education, as defined under
s. 895.515 (1) (b). The tuition voucher may be used at any time for the payment of tuition and required program activity fees at a University of Wisconsin System institution as provided under
s. 36.27 (3r) or a technical college as provided under
s. 38.24 (6). The department shall encourage private institutions of higher education to accept the vouchers. The vouchers are not transferable.
45.19 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
VA 17, Wis. adm. code.
45.21
45.21
Registration of certificate of discharge. Every person who has served in the U.S. armed forces at any time, and who has been honorably discharged or given a certificate of service or relieved from active service may record with the register of deeds of any county, in a suitable book provided by the county for that purpose, a certificate of discharge or release. The certificate shall be accessible only to the discharged person or that person's dependents, the county veterans' service officer, the department, or any person with written authorization from the discharged person or that person's dependents. The register of deeds may not charge for recording, except that in counties where the register of deeds is under the fee system and not paid a fixed salary, the county shall pay the fee specified in
s. 59.43 (2) (ag). The record of any certificate of discharge or release made prior to July 6, 1919, is legalized.
45.25
45.25
Veterans' tuition reimbursement program. 45.25(1g)(1g)
Definition. In this section, "tuition," when referring to the University of Wisconsin System, means "academic fees," as described in
s. 36.27 (1), and when referring to the technical colleges, means "program fees," as described in
s. 38.24 (1m) (a) and
(b).
45.25(1m)
(1m) Administration. The department shall administer a tuition reimbursement program for eligible veterans enrolling as undergraduates in any institution of higher education, as defined in
s. 45.396 (1) (a), in this state, enrolling in a school that is approved under
s. 45.35 (9m), enrolling in a proprietary school that is approved under
s. 45.54, or receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under
s. 39.47.
45.25(2)
(2) Eligibility. A veteran is eligible for the tuition reimbursement program if he or she meets all of the following criteria:
45.25(2)(c)
(c) The veteran applies for the tuition reimbursement program for courses begun within 10 years after separation from the service.
45.25(2)(d)
(d) The veteran is a resident at the time of application for the tuition reimbursement program and was a Wisconsin resident at the time of entry or reentry into service or was a resident for any consecutive 12-month period after entry or reentry into service and before the date of his or her application. If a person applying for a benefit under this section meets the residency requirement of 12 consecutive months, the department may not require the person to reestablish that he or she meets that residency requirement when he or she later applies for any other benefit under this chapter that requires that residency.
45.25(2)(e)
(e) The veteran is enrolled for at least 12 credits during the semester for which reimbursement is sought.
45.25(3)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (am), a veteran who meets the requirements under
sub. (2), upon satisfactory completion of a full-time undergraduate semester in any institution of higher education, as defined in
s. 45.396 (1) (a), in this state, any school that is approved under
s. 45.35 (9m), any proprietary school that is approved under
s. 45.54, or any institution from which the veteran receives a waiver of nonresident tuition under
s. 39.47, may be reimbursed an amount not to exceed the total cost of the veteran's tuition minus any grants or scholarships that the veteran receives specifically for the payment of the tuition, or the standard cost of tuition for a state resident for an equivalent undergraduate semester at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, whichever is less. Reimbursement is available only for tuition that is part of a curriculum that is relevant to a degree in a particular course of study at the institution.
45.25(3)(am)
(am) Any individual who is eligible to receive reimbursement under
par. (a) shall be reimbursed an amount not to exceed the amount determined under s.
45.25 (3) (am), 2001 stats.
45.25(3)(b)
(b) An application for reimbursement of tuition under
par. (a) shall meet all of the following requirements:
45.25(3)(b)1.
1. Be completed and received by the department no later than 60 days after the completion of the semester. The department may accept an application received more than 60 days after the completion of the semester if the applicant shows good cause for the delayed receipt.
45.25(3)(b)2.
2. Contain the information necessary to establish eligibility as determined by the department.
45.25(3)(b)3.
3. Be on the application form established by the department.
45.25(3)(b)4.
4. Contain the signatures of both the applicant and a representative of the institution or school certifying that the applicant has satisfactorily completed the semester.
45.25(3)(c)
(c) Reimbursement provided under this section shall be paid from the appropriation under
s. 20.485 (2) (tf). If the amount of funds applied for exceeds the amount available under
s. 20.485 (2) (tf), the department may deny applications for reimbursement that would otherwise qualify under this section. In those cases, the department shall determine eligibility on the basis of the dates on which applications for reimbursement were received.
45.25(3)(d)
(d) Reimbursement of tuition and fees for a course may be provided at an institution or school under
par. (a) other than the one from which the veteran is receiving his or her degree if all of the following apply:
45.25(3)(d)1.
1. The curriculum at the institution or school consists only of courses necessary to complete a degree in a particular course of study.
45.25(3)(d)2.
2. The course is accepted as transfer credits at the institution or school listed under
par. (a) from which the veteran is receiving his or her degree but is not available at that institution or school.
45.25(4)(a)(a) A veteran is not eligible for reimbursement under
sub. (2) for more than 120 credits or 8 full semesters of full-time study at any institution of higher education, as defined in
s. 45.396 (1) (a), in this state, 60 credits or 4 full semesters of full-time study at any institution of higher education, as defined in
s. 45.396 (1) (a), in this state that offers a degree upon completion of 60 credits, or an equivalent amount of credits at a school that is approved under
s. 45.35 (9m), at a proprietary school that is approved under
s. 45.54, or at an institution where he or she is receiving a waiver of nonresident tuition under
s. 39.47.
45.25(4)(b)
(b) The department may provide reimbursement under
sub. (2) to a veteran who is delinquent in child support or maintenance payments or who owes past support, medical expenses or birth expenses, as established by appearance of the veteran's name on the statewide support lien docket under
s. 49.854 (2) (b), only if the veteran provides the department with one of the following:
45.25(4)(b)1.
1. A repayment agreement that the veteran has entered into, that has been accepted by the county child support agency under
s. 59.53 (5) and that has been kept current for the 6-month period immediately preceding the date of the application.
45.25(4)(b)2.
2. A statement that the veteran is not delinquent in child support or maintenance payments and does not owe past support, medical expenses or birth expenses, signed by the department of workforce development or its designee within 7 working days before the date of the application.
45.25(4)(c)
(c) A veteran may not receive reimbursement under
sub. (2) for any semester in which he or she received a grant under
s. 21.49 or
45.396.
45.30
45.30
Assignment of mentally ill, alcoholic and drug dependent persons. 45.30(1)(a)(a) Whenever it appears that any person, other than a prisoner, is eligible for treatment in a U.S. veterans facility and inpatient admission is necessary for the proper care and treatment of such person, the circuit court in the county in which the person is found may, upon request of such person and upon receipt of a certificate of eligibility from the U.S. department of veterans affairs, after adjudging the person mentally ill, an alcoholic or drug dependent in accordance with law, direct such person's assignment to the U.S. department of veterans affairs for hospitalization in a U.S. veterans facility. Upon admission to any such facility, the person shall be subject to the rules and regulations of the U.S. department of veterans affairs. The chief officer of such facility is vested with the same powers exercised by directors of state institutes within this state with reference to the retention, transfer or discharge of the person assigned.
45.30(1)(b)
(b) Any commitment of a veteran under this section shall be in accordance with
s. 51.20. The commitment of a person to a veterans facility within this state by a judge of or a court of record of another state under a similar provision of law has the same force as if such commitment were made by a court of this state. After a person has been legally committed to the department of health and family services or to a county department under
s. 51.42 in this state, the department of health and family services, upon request of such person and upon receipt of a certificate of eligibility from the U.S. department of veterans affairs evidencing the right of such person to be admitted to a veterans facility, may transfer such person to such facility and the cost of the person's transportation, together with that of any necessary attendant, shall be a proper charge against such person's care in such institution. After such transfer the powers granted by this section to the chief officer of such veterans facility shall be applicable. Any person transferred as provided in this subsection is deemed committed to the U.S. department of veterans affairs pursuant to the original commitment.
45.30(2)
(2) Whenever an application to determine mental illness, alcoholism or drug dependence is made as prescribed by
s. 51.20, the court shall make such inquiry as may be necessary and proper to ascertain whether the alleged mentally ill, alcoholic or drug dependent person is eligible for treatment in a U.S. department of veterans affairs facility.
45.34
45.34
Lebanon, Grenada, Middle East crisis, Panama, Bosnia and Somalia. 45.34(1)(1)
Service in Lebanon and Grenada. A person shall be considered to have served in Lebanon or Grenada if the person was on active duty in Lebanon or its territorial waters under honorable conditions between August 1, 1982, and the date of withdrawal of U.S. armed forces from Lebanon, as established by the department by rule, or in Grenada between October 23, 1983, and November 21, 1983, and:
45.34(1)(a)
(a) Was entitled to receive the armed forces expeditionary medal established by
executive order 10977 on December 4, 1961;
45.34(1)(b)
(b) Was entitled to receive the marine corps or navy expeditionary medal; or
45.34(1)(c)
(c) Was not entitled to receive a medal under
par. (a) or
(b) but submits other proof of service acceptable to the department.
45.34 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also s.
VA 1.14, Wis. adm. code.
45.34(2)
(2) Middle East crisis. A person shall be considered to have served in a Middle East crisis if, because of active duty in the U.S. armed forces or forces incorporated as a part of U.S. armed forces, any of the following apply:
45.34(2)(a)
(a) The person was awarded the humanitarian service medal for participating in the attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran.
45.34(2)(b)
(b) The person was awarded the valor ribbon bar by the U.S. state department for having been a hostage in Iran during the Iranian hostage crisis in 1980 and 1981.
45.34(2)(c)
(c) The person participated in the April 14, 1986, military action against Libya.
45.34(2)(d)
(d) The person served on the U.S.S. Stark on May 17, 1987.
45.34(2)(e)
(e) The person served in support of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm under all of the following conditions:
45.34(2)(e)1.
1. Under an active duty order, a unit assignment order or an involuntary extension of an active duty order or in the Middle East or in territorial or international waters adjacent to the Middle East.
45.34(2)(e)3.
3. Between August 1, 1990, and the ending date of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm, as established by the department by rule.
45.34(2)(f)
(f) The person served for 90 days or more in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or an operation that is a successor to Operation Enduring Freedom or served in the Operation Enduring Freedom theater of operation under all of the following conditions:
45.34(2)(f)1.
1. Under an active duty order, a unit assignment order, or an involuntary extension of an active duty order.
