ATTORNEY GENERAL J.B. VAN HOLLEN ISSUES FORMAL OPINION ADDRESSING GIFTS TO COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENTS

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen today issued a formal opinion addressing how gifts to county human services departments are to be accepted by counties. Because of specific language contained in section 59.52(19) of the statutes, Van Hollen opined that gifts, grants, and donations to a county human services department may be accepted only by the county board of supervisors and may not be accepted by the county human services department itself. Van Hollen indicated that the Legislature could enact language similar to that in section 59.52(19) of the statutes that would expressly authorize county human services departments to directly accept gifts, grants, or donations if there are valid policy reasons for doing so. The opinion was requested by Polk County Corporation Counsel Jeffrey B. Fuge.

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Formal and informal opinions issued by Attorney General Van Hollen are available here.