HR 8420
Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026
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Bill overview
The Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026 would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide financial support to law school clinics at universities that offer legal assistance to veterans. These clinics can assist veterans with appeals to the VA, benefit claims, and other civil, criminal, and family legal issues. The bill specifically authorizes $10 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to fund these programs.
Key provisions
- Authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide financial support to university law school clinics.
- Allows clinics to assist veterans with VA appeals and benefit claims.
- Permits clinics to handle a range of civil, criminal, and family legal matters.
- Specifies funding levels of $10,000,000 per year from 2027-2031.
Who is affected
- Veterans
- University Law Schools
- Department of Veterans Affairs
Notable changes
- Creates a new mechanism for providing legal support to veterans through university law clinics.
Fiscal impact
The bill is authorized to appropriate $10,000,000 per year from 2027 through 2031 to support the designated law school programs.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] Norton
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. R. 8420
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide support to university law school programs that are designed to provide legal assistance to veterans, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Veterans Legal Support Act of 2026
.
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may provide support to one or more university law school programs that are designed to provide legal assistance to veterans.
Programs of university law schools which may receive support under subsection (a) may include programs that assist veterans with—
representing veterans in appeals and proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs related to the appointment of fiduciaries;
filing and appealing claims for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary; and
such other civil, criminal, and family legal matters as the Secretary considers appropriate.
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031.