Bill > HB399

This bill creates new regulations for individuals or entities seeking compensation for assisting veterans with benefits matters, establishing comprehensive rules to protect veterans from potential exploitation. The bill defines key terms such as "compensation", "person", and "veterans benefits matter", and then prohibits receiving payment for advising or referring individuals on veterans benefits without strict compliance with specific requirements. These requirements include: (1) a written agreement adhering to federal regulations before rendering services, (2) no compensation for services before filing a notice of disagreement, (3) prohibiting guarantees of specific benefits, (4) preventing excessive or unreasonable fees, and (5) mandatory disclosures both orally and in writing that clearly state the business is not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or Missouri Veterans Commission. The bill also restricts service providers from accessing personal medical, financial, or application information of veterans, and mandates that all advertisements include specific disclaimers about the nature of their services. Violations of these provisions are classified as a class A misdemeanor, which underscores the seriousness of protecting veterans from potentially predatory practices when seeking benefits assistance.

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https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB399&year=2025&code=R