An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in State Veterans' Commission and Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans' Affairs, further providing for Veterans' Trust Fund; in veterans' organizations, further providing for grants to veterans' service officer programs and providing for veterans' claims assistance standards; and imposing penalties.
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Progress
Where this bill stands in the legislative process.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill aims to strengthen protections for veterans seeking benefits by regulating assistance services. It establishes a fund to support veterans' service officer programs, clarifies standards for assistance, and imposes penalties for deceptive practices. Specifically, it creates a system for registering and disclosing fees charged by veterans’ claims assistance providers, and restricts certain solicitation and compensation practices to prevent profiteering.
Key provisions
- Creates a dedicated fund (Veterans’ Trust Fund) to support veterans’ service officer programs.
- Establishes standards for veterans’ claims assistance, including disclosure requirements for providers.
- Requires registration of veterans’ claims assistance providers with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
- Prohibits deceptive practices such as guaranteeing specific outcomes or charging excessive fees.
- Limits compensation for assistance services, particularly for claims filed shortly after a veteran’s release from service.
- Creates a process for the Office of Attorney General to investigate and enforce the law.
- Defines key terms related to veterans’ benefits and assistance services.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- Service Members
- Eligible Dependents
- Veterans' Service Organizations
- Veterans’ Claims Assistance Providers
Bill text
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Document of record
- Version
- Pn 1489 Html
- Published
- Not published in the source record
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Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
9 on record
Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Daniel Laughlin
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