Veterans - As introduced, declares certain actions by a person advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters for compensation to be an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce and to be subject to the penalties and remedies as provided in the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977. - Amends TCA Title 47, Chapter 18 and Title 58, Chapter 3.
HB 53 would regulate paid advisors who assist veterans with claims for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or Tennessee's Department of Veterans Services. It requires written agreements that cap fees at five times the monthly benefit increase (if successful), prohibits upfront or nonrefundable fees, and bans guarantees of specific outcomes. The bill mandates clear disclosures that the service is not affiliated with government agencies and that free assistance may be available, while restricting how veterans' personal information is handled and requiring background checks for staff accessing such data. Violations would be subject to penalties under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, but the law does not apply to VA-accredited representatives.
Bill status
died
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2025
Last action Jan 27, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
3
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to Commerce Committee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Banking & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jerome Moon
RRepublican
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