Bill > SB66

This bill, known as the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act, establishes new regulations for individuals or businesses that assist veterans with claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs or the New Hampshire Department of Veterans' Affairs. It prohibits receiving payment for simply referring a veteran to an advisor and requires that any paid advisory services be documented in a written agreement signed by both parties. This agreement must clearly outline how the payment will be determined, with compensation being contingent on an increase in benefits and capped at five times the monthly increase awarded. Furthermore, no upfront or non-refundable fees are allowed, and advisors cannot guarantee specific outcomes or benefit amounts. They must also provide a clear disclosure stating they are not affiliated with government agencies or federally chartered veterans' organizations and that free services may be available elsewhere. The bill also mandates that these businesses use domestic call centers, refrain from using a veteran's personal login information to access their accounts, and ensure employees with access to sensitive veteran information undergo background checks. Violations of these provisions are considered unfair trade practices and can result in civil penalties, with any collected penalties being returned to the harmed veteran as restitution. These regulations do not apply to individuals already accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

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https://gc.nh.gov/bill_Status/billinfo.aspx?id=1059&inflect=2