HF1855

HF1855 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))

Veterans benefit services federal accreditation required, service providers guarantees of benefits prohibited, and remedies and civil penalties provided.

Related bill: SF1894

AI Generated Summary

This bill, H.F. No. 1855, seeks to regulate veterans benefits services in Minnesota by introducing new accreditation requirements, prohibiting misleading practices, and outlining penalties for non-compliance.

Key Provisions:

Accreditation Requirement: Individuals or entities providing veterans benefits services for compensation must be accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) under federal law (38 U.S.C. Chapter 59).
Advertising Disclosures: Advertisements for veterans benefits appeal services must clearly state that such services are available for free from county veterans service officers.
Written Disclosure Statements: Providers must give a disclosure statement to veterans before offering services and obtain a signed acknowledgment.
Fee Transparency: Providers must adhere to VA regulations on fees and provide a written fee agreement to veterans.
Prohibition on Guarantees: Providers cannot guarantee that a veteran or their family will receive specific benefits, amounts, or percentages.
Penalties for Violations:
- Civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation (with each day of non-compliance considered a separate violation).
- The Minnesota Attorney General can enforce penalties and pursue legal remedies under the Prevention of Consumer Fraud Act.
- Any collected penalties will be allocated to the "Support Our Troops" account.

Exemptions:

The bill does not apply to media outlets or personnel that publish or distribute advertisements.

This legislation aims to protect veterans from deceptive practices and ensure they receive accurate and legal assistance in obtaining benefits.

Bill text versions

Introduction PDF file

Actions

Date	Chamber	Where	Type	Name	Committee Name
March 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Veterans and Military Affairs Division
March 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Introduction and first reading, referred to	Veterans and Military Affairs Division
March 04, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
March 12, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Committee report, to adopt and re-refer to	Judiciary Finance and Civil Law
March 19, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added
March 25, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
April 02, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Author added
April 09, 2025	House	Floor	Action	Authors added

Citations

[
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Federal accreditation requirement for veterans benefits services providers.",
        "Civil penalties for non-compliance."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This bill modifies requirements for veterans benefits services providers under section 197.6091.",
      "modified": [
        "Advertising and client disclosure requirements."
      ]
    },
    "citation": "197.6091",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Reference to require the use of a written disclosure statement as developed under this statute."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This statute reference is mentioned in the context of written disclosure statement requirements.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "196.05",
    "subdivision": "subdivision 1"
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Defines violation of the new veterans benefits services regulations as unlawful practice."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "Violation of section 197.6091 is deemed an unlawful practice under section 325F.69.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "325F.69",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Application of existing remedies to violations of newly established veterans benefits services regulations."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section provides remedies for unlawful practices, including those defined under the amended section 197.6091.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "325F.70",
    "subdivision": ""
  },
  {
    "analysis": {
      "added": [
        "Use of the Support Our Troops account for deposit of collected civil penalties."
      ],
      "removed": [
        ""
      ],
      "summary": "This section establishes the Support Our Troops account for depositing civil penalties.",
      "modified": [
        ""
      ]
    },
    "citation": "190.19",
    "subdivision": ""
  }
]