| Actions |
| 2025-04-21 |
|
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author. |
| 2025-04-09 |
|
Coauthors revised. |
| 2025-04-09 |
|
From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (April 8). Re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| 2025-04-03 |
|
Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A. |
| 2025-04-02 |
|
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on M. & V.A. Read second time and amended. |
| 2025-03-25 |
|
Re-referred to Com. on M. & V.A. |
| 2025-03-24 |
|
Referred to Coms. on M. & V.A. and JUD. |
| 2025-03-24 |
|
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on M. & V.A. Read second time and amended. |
| 2025-02-20 |
|
From printer. May be heard in committee March 22. |
| 2025-02-19 |
|
Read first time. To print. |
|
| Last Version Text |
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<ns0:AuthorText authorType="LEAD_AUTHOR">Introduced by Assembly Member Jeff Gonzalez</ns0:AuthorText>
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<ns0:Title> An act to add Section 401.5 to the Military and Veterans Code, relating to veterans.</ns0:Title>
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<html:p>Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is responsible for administering various programs and services for the benefit of veterans. Existing law authorizes veterans service organizations, as specified, to contract with the department to pursue claims against the United States. Existing law defines “veterans service officer” as an individual employed by a veterans service organization and accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to process and adjudicate claims and other benefits for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Existing law establishes the Veterans Service Office Fund, which, upon appropriation by the Legislature, may be used to expand the support of county veterans service offices.</html:p>
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Section 401.5 is added to the
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A person or business shall not charge a fee to assist a veteran with the filing of a veterans’ benefit claim to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs unless they are accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for that purpose.
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For purposes of this section, each document filed or document that the veteran received assistance in filing, in exchange for a fee, is one violation.
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A violation of this section shall be punished by the imposition of a
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(1)
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One thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be deposited into the Veterans Service Office Fund created pursuant to Section 972.2.
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One thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be paid to the office of the district attorney that processed the fine.
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REVISIONS:</ns0:Correction>
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Heading–Line 2.</ns0:Correction>
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|
| Last Version Text Digest |
Existing law establishes the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is responsible for administering various programs and services for the benefit of veterans. Existing law authorizes veterans service organizations, as specified, to contract with the department to pursue claims against the United States. Existing law defines “veterans service officer” as an individual employed by a veterans service organization and accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to process and adjudicate claims and other benefits for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Existing law establishes the Veterans Service Office Fund, which, upon appropriation by the Legislature, may be used to expand the support of county veterans service offices. This bill would prohibit a person or business from charging a fee to assist a veteran with the filing of a veterans’ benefit claim to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs unless they are accredited for that purpose. The bill would make a violation of these provisions punishable by a $2,000 civil fine payable to the Veterans Service Office Fund and to the office of the district attorney that processed the fine, as specified. |