Bill > SB2668

This bill, known as the "Preserving Lawful Utilization of Services for Veterans Act" or "PLUS Act," aims to regulate individuals and businesses that charge fees for assisting veterans with their benefit claims. "Compensation" is defined as any payment or benefit received for services, and "veterans' benefits matter" refers to any claim related to benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs. The bill prohibits receiving compensation for referring veterans to others for assistance with these matters. It also requires that for claims filed within one year of active-duty release, a veteran must sign a waiver acknowledging they are within this period and are choosing to forgo free services before any compensation can be received for assistance. Anyone charging for such services must have a written agreement outlining the terms, with compensation contingent on an increase in benefits awarded and capped at five times the monthly increase or $12,500, whichever is less, with no upfront or non-refundable fees allowed. Furthermore, these service providers cannot guarantee outcomes, must provide a clear disclosure to veterans stating they are not affiliated with the government or free service organizations, and must obtain the veteran's signature acknowledging this disclosure. Additionally, businesses assisting veterans for a fee are prohibited from using international call centers for personal information, accessing a veteran's personal login information, and must conduct background checks on anyone accessing a veteran's sensitive information. Violations of these provisions are considered unfair trade practices and can result in civil penalties, with each day of violation counting as a separate offense, and collected penalties will go to the Mississippi Military Affairs Department. This act does not apply to representatives accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Military Affairs and Security

https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2026/pdf/history/SB/SB2668.xml