Assembly Bill 776 aims to enhance mental health services for veterans in Wisconsin by requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) to promote access to community-based and emergency crisis mental health services. The bill also authorizes the DVA to provide grants to organizations that support these services for veterans. Additionally, it grants the DVA the authority to promulgate emergency rules to effectively administer the provisions of the bill without the usual requirements for demonstrating the necessity of such rules.

The bill creates two new sections in the statutes: 20.485 (2) (qw), which outlines the biennial funding for veterans' mental health services, and 45.49, which details the DVA's responsibilities in promoting access to mental health services and providing grants. Notably, the DVA is exempt from the standard requirements for emergency rule promulgation, allowing for a more streamlined process in addressing veterans' mental health needs.