KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Ohio

HB961 • 2026

Enact the V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Benefits Protection Act

Enact the V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Benefits Protection Act

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Sean P. Brennan
Last action
Official status
As Introduced
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

Enact the V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Benefits Protection Act

To enact section 5901.10 of the Revised Code to govern the practice of providing veterans claim assistance for compensation and to name this act the Veterans Empowerment Through Ethical Representation and Navigation Act (V.E.T.E.R.A.N.

What This Bill Does

  • To enact section 5901.10 of the Revised Code to govern the practice of providing veterans claim assistance for compensation and to name this act the Veterans Empowerment Through Ethical Representation and Navigation Act (V.E.T.E.R.A.N.
  • Benefits Protection Act).

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. Ohio Legislature

    As Introduced

Official Summary Text

To enact section 5901.10 of the Revised Code to govern the practice of providing veterans claim assistance for compensation and to name this act the Veterans Empowerment Through Ethical Representation and Navigation Act (V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Benefits Protection Act).

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
hb961_00_IN

As Introduced

136th
General Assembly

Regular
Session
H. B. No. 961

2025-2026

Representatives Brennan, Troy

Cosponsors: Representatives Miller,
J., McNally, Upchurch, Brent, Abdullahi, Mohamed, Sigrist, Mathews,
T.

To
enact section 5901.10 of the Revised Code
to
govern the practice of providing veterans claim assistance for
compensation and to name this act the Veterans Empowerment Through
Ethical Representation and Navigation Act (V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Benefits
Protection Act).

BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:

Section
1.
That
section 5901.10 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:

Sec.
5901.10.
(A)
As used in this section:

"Compensation"
means any money, thing of value, or economic benefit conferred on, or
received by, a person in return for services rendered, or to be
rendered, by the person or another.

"Person"
has the meaning defined in section 1101.01 of the Revised Code.

"Veterans
benefits matter" means the preparation, presentation, or
prosecution of, or advising, consulting, or assisting an individual
regarding any claim affecting any person who has filed or expressed
an intent to file a claim for any benefit, program, service,
commodity, function, status, or entitlement that is determined to
pertain to veterans, their dependents, their survivors, or any other
person eligible for such benefits under the laws and regulations
administered by the United States department of veterans affairs or
by the state.

(B)
No person shall do any of the following:

(1)
Receive compensation for preparation, presentation, or prosecution
of, or advising, consulting, or assisting an individual regarding any
veterans benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law;

(2)
Receive compensation from an individual for referring that individual
to another person to advise or assist the individual with any
veterans benefits matter;

(3)
Provide a guarantee, either directly or by implication, that an
individual is certain to be awarded specific veterans or dependent
benefits, or certain to receive a specific rating, level, percentage,
or amount of benefits from programs administered by the United States
department of veterans affairs;

(4)
Render assistance, for compensation, to an individual regarding a
veterans benefits matter without a fee agreement properly registered
according to 38 C.F.R. 14.636.

(C)
A person seeking compensation for providing assistance regarding a
veterans benefits matter shall be accredited by the United States
department of veterans affairs under 38 C.F.R. 14.629.

(D)
A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or
practice in connection with a consumer transaction under Chapter
1345. of the Revised Code.

Section
2.
This
act shall be known as the Veterans Empowerment Through Ethical
Representation and Navigation Act (V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Benefits Protection
Act).