Bill > SB2669

This bill establishes new regulations for individuals who assist veterans with claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board, defining "compensation" as any payment or financial benefit and "veterans benefits matter" broadly to include any claim preparation or assistance related to these benefits. It prohibits charging fees for such assistance or for referring individuals to others who provide this help, with an exception for fee-splitting arrangements between licensed attorneys that are otherwise proper. Violations of these provisions are classified as deceptive trade practices, making them actionable by the Mississippi Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection, and anyone receiving compensation for assisting with veterans' benefits will be held to the same ethical standards as attorneys regarding advertising, solicitation, confidentiality, duty of care, honesty, and zealously pursuing the client's best interest. The bill also amends existing Mississippi law to include violations of these new veterans' assistance fee provisions as deceptive trade practices and requires specific disclosures when fees are charged for veteran claims, ensuring veterans are aware that similar services may be available for free from the Mississippi State Veterans Affairs Board. Importantly, county veteran service officers are explicitly exempted from these new fee restrictions.

Military Affairs and Security

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2669.xml