SB 338

This bill requires the Department of Workforce Development to establish a

program to provide transitional jobs to veterans, in cooperation with the Department

of Veterans Affairs and Department of Children and Families. Under the bill, DWD,

DCF, and DVA are required to enter into a memorandum of understanding to

implement the program.

Under the new program, called “Hire Heroes” under the bill, a veteran is

eligible to participate if he or she is at least 18 years old, has been unemployed for

at least four weeks, is ineligible for the Wisconsin Works program, is a veteran as

verified by DVA, and passes the required drug screening tests. Under the bill,

preference for participation in the program will be given to veterans whose

household income is less than 60 percent of the state median household income.

Under the bill, an individual may participate in the program for up to 1,040

work hours. DWD compensates a participating employer for costs including a wage

subsidy, federal social security and Medicare taxes, state and federal unemployment

insurance contributions or taxes, and worker's compensation insurance premiums,

if any.

The bill requires DWD to commit up to $400,000 in each fiscal year in funding

for the program, and also requires DWD to prepare an annual report on the program

to be submitted to the governor, the appropriate standing committees of the

legislature, DCF, and DVA.