WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 2214

Labor; Oklahoma Energy Industry Incentives and Workforce Investment Act of 2025; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mike Lay

HB 2214 limits and regulates private help for veterans' benefits claims to curb predatory fees, requires written agreements, disclosures, and strict data/identity safeguards.

Second Reading referred to Rules
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 2214

Summary — HB 2214: "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act"

Status: Introduced January 29, 2025; referred to the House Committee on Veterans and Military (hearing scheduled Feb 6, 2025).
Primary intent: Limit and regulate how private persons and businesses are compensated for assisting veterans with veterans‑benefits claims.

Purpose

The bill is designed to protect veterans from predatory or misleading for‑profit practices when veterans seek help preparing, presenting, or prosecuting claims for benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Kansas Office of Veterans Services. It sets limits on fees, requires disclosures and written agreements, imposes data‑handling and background check requirements, and creates enforcement remedies.

Key provisions

  • Definitions:
    • “Compensation” = any money, thing of value, or financial benefit for services.
    • “Veterans benefits matter” = preparation/presentation/prosecution of claims for VA or Kansas veterans benefits.
  • Fee/referral limits:
    • Prohibits receiving compensation for referring a veteran to another person for help with a veterans benefits matter.
    • Prohibits charging for services rendered on claims filed within the one‑year presumptive period after active‑duty release unless the veteran signs a waiver acknowledging the one‑year period and choosing to decline free services.
    • No initial or nonrefundable fees may be charged for advising/assisting on veterans benefits matters.
  • Written agreement and contingency cap:
    • Advisers/consultants must memorialize terms in a written agreement signed by both parties before services begin.
    • Compensation must be contingent on an increase in awarded benefits.
    • If successful, compensation may not exceed five times the monthly increase in benefits awarded based on the claim (example: if monthly benefit increases $200, max permitted fee = $1,000).
  • Prohibitions on guarantees:
    • Providers may not guarantee or imply a specific outcome or benefit amount.
  • Required disclosure:
    • At the outset, paid providers must give a written disclosure (12‑point font) stating they are not affiliated with VA or Kansas Office of Veterans Services and that free help may be available from public or chartered organizations; the veteran must sign to acknowledge the disclosure and provider must retain a copy for the duration of services and one year after termination.
  • Data security and personnel checks:
    • Paid businesses may not use international call centers or data centers to process veterans’ personal information.
    • May not use a veteran’s personal login/password to access medical, financial, or government benefits information.
    • Anyone with access to veterans’ medical or financial information must undergo an identity‑verified criminal history record check before access.
  • Exceptions:
    • The act does not apply to or alter rules governing agents, attorneys, or representatives accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Enforcement & penalties

  • Violations are declared an unfair, false, misleading or deceptive act or practice under K.S.A. 50‑623 et seq.
  • The Attorney General may bring civil actions; civil penalties are those ordered by district court.
  • Each day a violation continues is treated as a separate violation.

Fiscal implications (Fiscal Note highlights)

  • Kansas Office of Veterans Services: no fiscal effect.
  • Office of Judicial Administration: could see increased district court filings and workload; docket fees and fines collected would be deposited to the State General Fund; total fiscal effect not estimated.
  • Attorney General: potential increased litigation costs; estimates an added need of $166,000 beginning FY2026 (State General Fund) to support 1.00 FTE non‑attorney ($63,755), 0.50 FTE attorney ($66,952), and ~$35,293 for technology/training/administration. Ongoing slight increases anticipated.

Who is affected

  • Veterans, dependents, survivors seeking benefits.
  • For‑profit and nonprofit businesses or individuals who advise, assist, or consult on veterans benefits (preparers, consultants, case managers).
  • Veterans service organizations (as alternative sources of free help).
  • Attorney General’s Office and Kansas judiciary (enforcement and litigation workload).

Procedural notes & next steps

  • Introduced Jan 29, 2025; referred to House Committee on Veterans and Military (hearing Feb 6, 2025).
  • If reported favorably by committee, the bill would proceed through the legislative calendar and, if passed, take effect upon publication in the statute book.

If you want, I can produce a one‑page fact sheet for veterans and providers summarizing rights and required disclosures under the bill.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.