SB 187

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.