Bill > AB826

This bill expands protections for service members and veterans by prohibiting individuals or businesses from charging fees to assist with filing claims for veterans' benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) unless they are accredited by the VA for that specific purpose. Accreditation means being officially recognized by the VA to help veterans with their claims. Violating this provision will result in a $2,000 civil fine for each instance of charging a fee without proper accreditation, with half of the fine going to the Veterans Service Office Fund, which supports county veterans' services, and the other half going to the district attorney's office that handled the case. Additionally, the bill clarifies that advertising or promoting any service related to veterans' benefits, not just events, must include specific disclaimers, and these disclaimers must be provided both orally and in writing at the beginning of any such service or event.

Justice, Military Affairs and Security

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB826