Bill > SB433

This bill aims to protect veterans by prohibiting certain improper collection practices related to their benefits and requiring mandatory counseling about the claims process. Specifically, it clarifies that individuals cannot be paid for preparing, presenting, or assisting with veterans' benefit claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the Kansas Office of Veterans Services, nor can they be paid for referring someone for such services, with exceptions for attorney fee divisions allowed by law. Contracts for veterans' benefit matters with servicemembers, former servicemembers, or their survivors cannot include clauses that require sharing government or financial access credentials, waive rights under the Kansas Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), or waive federal rights; any contract with such prohibited provisions will be considered an unconscionable act under the KCPA. Furthermore, anyone compensated for assisting with veterans' benefit claims will be held to the same ethical standards as attorneys regarding advertising, client solicitation, confidentiality, duty of care, honesty, and zealously pursuing the client's best interests. The bill also mandates that the Kansas Office of Veterans Services offer counseling on the benefits claims process, though this counseling is not required for certain types of benefits like burial, healthcare, or education, and contracts with servicemembers or their survivors are invalid unless this counseling is completed, with fiduciaries also required to seek counseling on behalf of claimants. Failure by for-profit claims service providers to ensure this counseling is completed will render their contracts void and considered an unconscionable act under the KCPA.

Military Affairs and Security

Federal and State Affairs (Senate)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb433/