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H3840 • 2025

An Act fraudulent representation of an accredited veterans service officer, accredited agent or attorney

An Act fraudulent representation of an accredited veterans service officer, accredited agent or attorney

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Colleen M. Garry
Last action
2026-06-01
Official status
Accompanied a study order, see H5466 (under House Rule 27)
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on what happens to those who break this law, nor does it specify the enforcement timeline or penalties beyond a minimum fine of $500.

Law Against Fake Veterans Service Officers and Agents

This law makes it illegal for people to pretend they are accredited veterans service officers, agents or attorneys and charge fees for helping with veteran benefits claims.

What This Bill Does

  • It says that if someone pretends to be a certified veterans service officer, agent, or attorney and charges money for help with veteran benefit claims, they can get in trouble.
  • Anyone who breaks this law will have their case reported to the Office of General Counsel at the Veterans Administration.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who try to help veterans with benefits but are not officially allowed to do so by the Veterans Administration.
  • Veterans seeking assistance in filing claims for their benefits.

Terms To Know

Accredited
Officially recognized and approved by the Veterans Administration to provide certain services.
Claimant
A person who has filed or plans to file a written application for veteran benefits.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone breaks this law.
  • It is unclear when the bill will become an actual law and start being enforced.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-01 House

    Accompanied a study order, see H5466 (under House Rule 27)

  2. 2025-07-16 Joint

    Hearing scheduled for 07/22/2025 from 01:00 PM-05:00 PM in A-2

  3. 2025-02-27 House

    Referred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

  4. 2025-02-27 Senate

    Senate concurred

  5. House

    Reported by committee to Clerk’s Office for processing, will accompany a study order

Official Summary Text

An Act fraudulent representation of an accredited veterans service officer, accredited agent or attorney
By Representative Garry of Dracut, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 3840) of Colleen M. Garry relative to fraudulent representation of an accredited veterans service officer, accredited agent or attorney. Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
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Bill H.3840

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I. A person is guilty of Fraudulent Representation of an Accredited Veterans Service Officer, Accredited Agent or Attorney if, such person does any of the following:

(a) Falsely represents themselves as an accredited Veterans Service Officer,, Claims Agent or Attorney to execute claims before the Veterans Administration.

(b) Charges any fee for services to assist in a claimant’s preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for Veterans Benefits. (As defined by 38 CFR § 14.629)

(c) Charges any fee for “Consulting Services” relating to a claimant or interested party of the claimant.

(d) Solicits applicants of benefits from the Veterans Administration and charges a fee for such services.

(e) Knowingly refers applicants to an unaccredited Veterans Service Officer, Claims Agent or Attorney for which the referrer receives compensation either monetary or otherwise for the referral.

(f) If authorized to charge a fee as an accredited Claims Agent or Attorney but knowingly charges a fee above the maximum fee allowable by 38 CFR § 14:636.

II. Any person prosecuted under this section shall be reported to the Office of General Counsel for the Veterans Administration.

III. For the purposes of this section Veterans Administration shall include the following: Disability Compensation, Pension, (including DIC and Aid and attendance), Education, Home Loan, Health Care, Burial, Life Insurance, Small Business Support, Housing Grants, Employment Benefits.

IV. For the purposes of this section a claimant shall mean a person who has filed or has expressed to an intention to file a written application for determination of entitlement to benefits provided under title 38, United States Code, and implementing directives.

V.

For the purposes of this section Consulting Services shall mean a person or organization that gives advice, instruction or review of a claimant’s eligibility or injuries as it relates to the filing of benefits before the Veterans Administration regardless if they assist in filing an application for benefits.

VI. Exemptions from this law shall apply to lines a through e; Accredited Claims Agents and Accredited Attorneys who have met the qualifications of accreditation by the Veterans Administration and are authorized at the time of the alleged infraction of this law to charge fees.

A fine of no less than $500 shall be imposed for each violation of this law.

All proceeds from enforcement shall go to 1410-0012

line item in Annual Budget for Veterans' Outreach Centers Including Homeless Shelters.

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