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HB 6874 Connecticut House · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT ESTABLISHING PROTECTIONS FOR VETERANS FROM BENEFITS CLAIM SHARKS.

This bill protects veterans by regulating individuals and businesses that assist with filing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefit claims. It requires written agreements before any assistance, prohibits upfront fees (only allowing payment if the claim succeeds), and bans guarantees about specific benefit amounts. Businesses must also provide clear written disclosures stating they are not affiliated with the VA or federal veterans organizations and that free help may be available elsewhere. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and violations are treated as unfair trade practices under state law.
Issues: ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly protects veterans from predatory claims assistance by banning upfront fees, false guarantees, and requiring transparency, ensuring access to VA benefits without exploitation.95% confidence
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Last action Mar 26, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Governor's Bill → VA Joint Favorable Substitute · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to clarify and strengthen regulations on who can charge fees for veterans benefits advice. The changes make fee arrangements more transparent, require clearer written disclosures about the relationship between private advisors and government agencies, and add protections against unreasonable fees and false guarantees of benefits.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded to include advertising requirements and additional consumer protections for veterans seeking paid advice on benefits.
REQUIREMENT

Fee agreements now must be signed before any advice is provided, with clearer requirements for written plain language summaries.

New restrictions prevent compensation until a favorable resolution is obtained or an adverse decision is contested.

Added prohibition against guaranteeing that veterans will receive specific benefits or benefit amounts.

New advertising requirements mandate specific disclosures about non-affiliation with government agencies in all advertisements.

Expanded disclosure requirements to include information about free alternatives available through government agencies.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions for enforcement through the Attorney General as an unfair or deceptive trade practice.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
1
Committee
2
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
lower
Feb 6, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Veterans' and Military Affairs
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.