Veterans (Veteran Education)

SB 433 prohibits individuals or companies from charging fees for assisting veterans with claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or Kansas Veterans Services. It requires the Kansas Veterans Services office to provide free counseling on the claims process to potential claimants (excluding those seeking burial, healthcare, or education benefits), and makes any assistance contract void if counseling isn’t completed. The bill also bans contracts from requiring veterans to share login credentials or waive consumer protection rights, and treats violations as unconscionable under Kansas consumer law. This directly affects veterans navigating benefit claims and service providers offering such assistance.

HB 2213 prohibits charging fees for helping veterans file or manage claims with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Defense, or Kansas Office of Veterans Services. It bans both direct fees for assistance with veterans' benefit claims and referral fees to others who provide such help. Violators face penalties under Kansas consumer protection law and must follow attorney ethics rules like confidentiality and honesty. The law specifically allows standard attorney fee splits under existing Kansas rules but targets non-attorney fee-chargers exploiting veterans.

HB 2214, the SAVE Act, limits fees charged by non-governmental advocates helping veterans navigate benefits claims. It prohibits upfront or nonrefundable fees and caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase if a claim succeeds. The bill requires written agreements, mandates specific disclosures that the service isn't affiliated with the VA or free government programs, and bans guarantees of specific benefits. It also includes data privacy rules for advocates handling veterans' personal information, such as requiring criminal background checks for staff accessing medical or financial data. The law applies to individuals or businesses charging for veterans benefits assistance, excluding VA-accredited representatives.

HB 2274 removes the requirement that military servicemembers must be "active" to obtain occupational licenses in Kansas. It directly affects military servicemembers and their spouses who relocate due to military assignments. The bill requires licensing bodies to issue licenses within 15 days (instead of 45) for these applicants upon submitting a complete application, and waives fees for military spouses' applications. This change streamlines licensing for military families moving to Kansas, eliminating a barrier caused by deployment or active duty status.