Veterans’ benefits: protections.
- Prohibits charging veterans fees for benefits claim assistance unless accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Imposes a $2,000 civil fine for each document filed or assisted with in exchange for unauthorized fees.
- Splits fine revenue equally between the Veterans Service Office Fund and district attorney's office.
Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez's veterans protection measure would prohibit individuals and businesses from charging fees to assist veterans with benefit claims unless they hold United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accreditation. The legislation establishes penalties for unauthorized fee collection, with each document filed or assisted counting as a separate violation.
Under the proposed law, violations would incur a $2,000 civil fine per instance, split equally between the Veterans Service Office Fund and the district attorney's office processing the penalty. The Veterans Service Office Fund supports county veterans service offices that help former service members access federal benefits and services. The measure builds upon existing law that authorizes veterans service organizations to contract with the California Department of Veterans Affairs for claims assistance and defines requirements for veterans service officers.
The bill maintains the current system where accredited veterans service officers, employed by recognized veterans organizations, can process claims and benefits for veterans and their families. By requiring VA accreditation for any fee-based assistance, the legislation creates a verification mechanism for veterans seeking help with their benefits paperwork while preserving free services through established channels.
 Ash KalraD Assemblymember | Committee Member |  Not Contacted | |
 Rebecca Bauer-KahanD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Laurie DaviesR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
 Isaac BryanD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Damon ConnollyD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | PASS |
- Prohibits charging veterans fees for benefits claim assistance unless accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Imposes a $2,000 civil fine for each document filed or assisted with in exchange for unauthorized fees.
- Splits fine revenue equally between the Veterans Service Office Fund and district attorney's office.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez's veterans protection measure would prohibit individuals and businesses from charging fees to assist veterans with benefit claims unless they hold United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accreditation. The legislation establishes penalties for unauthorized fee collection, with each document filed or assisted counting as a separate violation.
Under the proposed law, violations would incur a $2,000 civil fine per instance, split equally between the Veterans Service Office Fund and the district attorney's office processing the penalty. The Veterans Service Office Fund supports county veterans service offices that help former service members access federal benefits and services. The measure builds upon existing law that authorizes veterans service organizations to contract with the California Department of Veterans Affairs for claims assistance and defines requirements for veterans service officers.
The bill maintains the current system where accredited veterans service officers, employed by recognized veterans organizations, can process claims and benefits for veterans and their families. By requiring VA accreditation for any fee-based assistance, the legislation creates a verification mechanism for veterans seeking help with their benefits paperwork while preserving free services through established channels.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | PASS |
Ash KalraD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Rebecca Bauer-KahanD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Laurie DaviesR Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Isaac BryanD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Damon ConnollyD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |