MADISON… Legislation authored by Sen. André Jacque (New Franken) to expand eligibility for the state’s veteran identifier program unanimously passed the State Assembly Tuesday, and will now be sent to Governor Tony Evers for his signature.
All 50 states currently offer a military veteran designation which can be printed on state issued driver’s licenses or IDs, including in Wisconsin starting in 2013. Driver’s licenses and state issued identification cards are an easy way for someone to prove their veteran status. However, questions have arisen on who should qualify for the veteran designation based on the nature of their military service.
Senate Bill 387, authored in the Assembly by Rep. Ben Franklin, clarifies the definition of veteran to include former members of the U.S. armed forces who received a discharge under honorable conditions, and former Reserve and National Guard members who have met the requirements of their initial term of obligated serve and have been honorably discharged.
“Over the years, I have spoken with many veterans who have expressed frustration with the lack of clarity on what the qualifications are for obtaining a veteran status designation on a driver’s license, and why their service did not meet the criteria,” said Jacque. “If signed into law, this proposal will honor the service of all who have sacrificed in defense of America, regardless of whether in active duty, in the Reserve, or in the National Guard.”
SB 387 unanimously passed the State Senate last November. Other bills authored by Senator Jacque passing the Assembly Tuesday include:
Expanded PTSD Coverage for Emergency Responders (Assembly Bill 651) – In 2021, Sen. Jacque authored Act 29, which guaranteed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) coverage for law enforcement and full-time firefighters. Expanding on bipartisan work which accomplished this win for our community heroes, Sen. Jacque has pushed for extending PTSD coverage to other emergency responders, and his plan to include coverage for EMS and volunteer firefighters was included in the comprehensive workers compensation package which unanimously passed the Assembly.
“Responding to a horrific accident or medical emergency can result in long term trauma for those involved, and our community heroes responding to the scene of an accident or dealing with its aftereffects all deserve our support,” said Jacque.
AB 651 was a collaborative product of the Workers Compensation Advisory Council following negotiations between labor and management. The legislation has the support of a broad range of groups, such as Wisconsin Manufactures and Commerce, the Wisconsin State AFL-CIO, the Wisconsin EMS Association, the Wisconsin State Firefighters Association, the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance and many others.
Independence Accounts for Disabled Workers (Assembly Bill 253) – Legislation to protect healthcare for disabled workers also unanimously passed the Assembly on Tuesday. Disabled adults in Wisconsin on Medicaid are supported in their workforce participation through enrollment in the Medical Assistance Purchase Plan (MAPP), a buy-in program open to individuals at or below 250% of the federal poverty level who have under $15,000 in total assets.
Those using the MAPP program can open an Independence Account and deposit 50 percent of their gross work earning to protect their Medicaid coverage, up to $15,000 for a twelve-month period. In order to address the “benefits cliff” that workers in the program potentially face and the risk of losing their medical coverage, AB 253 as amended would remove the cap on earnings that can be deposited for those qualified to participate in the program, and would exempt up to $40,000 in funds obtained as a result of an inheritance payment.
“Disabled individuals who are able and want to work should not be penalized for attempting to improve their life circumstance,” said Jacque. “This legislation will encourage individuals with disabilities to live full, independent and productive lives.”
Both AB 651 and AB 253 must now pass the full Senate before moving to the governor for final consideration.
Senator André Jacque represents Northeast Wisconsin’s First Senate District, consisting of Door and Kewaunee Counties and portions of Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, and Outagamie counties.
