summary
Introduced
02/11/2025
02/11/2025
In Committee
02/11/2025
02/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
03/10/2025
03/10/2025
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill makes it a deceptive trade practice under the "Colorado Consumer Protection Act" for a person who advises, assists, or consults a veteran, in connection with a claim for veterans' benefits (veterans' benefits matter), to: ! Receive compensation in excess of $12,500 for the service, subject to additional limitations linking permissible compensation to results delivered; ! Receive compensation for referring a veteran to a third party; ! Collect compensation on behalf of a third party engaged to assist with any aspect of a veterans' benefits matter; ! Receive compensation in connection with a claim filed within the one-year period following a veteran's release from active duty without a signed waiver from the veteran; ! Fail to provide a veteran the option of an interest-free payment plan; ! Guarantee a successful outcome in a veterans' benefits matter or engage in certain direct advertising; ! Fail to memorialize the payment terms and certain disclosures in a written, signed business agreement; ! Fail to take various security measures related to veterans' personal information; or ! Fail to remain a member in good standing of a national veterans' benefit trade organization that holds members to ethics and certification standards. The bill requires the attorney general or district attorney to transmit any civil penalty collected for a violation of the veterans' benefits matter provisions to the state treasurer for deposit in the Colorado state veterans trust fund.
AI Summary
This bill establishes comprehensive consumer protections for veterans seeking assistance with benefits claims by creating new regulations for individuals and businesses that provide paid services related to veterans' benefits matters. The legislation defines specific restrictions on compensation, prohibiting service providers from charging more than $12,500 or receiving fees that exceed five times the increase in monthly benefits awarded, and mandating that such compensation is directly tied to successful claim outcomes. The bill requires written agreements that clearly disclose the service is not affiliated with official government veterans' agencies, provides veterans the option of an interest-free payment plan, and prohibits guaranteeing specific benefits outcomes or directly marketing to individual veterans. Additionally, the bill makes violations of these provisions a deceptive trade practice under the Colorado Consumer Protection Act and requires that any civil penalties collected be deposited into the Colorado State Veterans Trust Fund. The legislative declaration emphasizes the bill's intent to protect veterans from predatory practices while acknowledging the legitimate role of private sector claims assistance providers, particularly given the large volume of pending veterans' benefits claims that exceeds the capacity of free service organizations.
Committee Categories
Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (7)
Ryan Armagost (R)*,
Michael Carter (D)*,
Tony Exum (D)*,
Nick Hinrichsen (D)*,
Rebecca Keltie (R)*,
Chris Richardson (R)*,
Tom Sullivan (D)*,
Last Action
House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Postpone Indefinitely (on 03/10/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1233 |
| Fiscal Note FN2 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_hb1233_f1.pdf |
| House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Amendment L.001 | https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/leg.colorado.gov/2025A/amendments/0C1BEAC138423E1787258C490067E9F4/HB1233_L.001.pdf |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/fn/2025a_hb1233_00.pdf |
| BillText | https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2025A/bills/2025a_1233_01.pdf |
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