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Bill

HB 961

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

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Munira Abdullahi and 9 co-sponsors

The bill regulates who may assist with veterans benefits claims, requires VA accreditation, and bans deceptive practices and certain fees to protect veterans.

Referred to committee
#militaryandveterans
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 961

Overview

HB 961, introduced in the 136th Ohio General Assembly, would regulate the practice of providing veterans claim assistance for compensation. The act is titled the Veterans Empowerment Through Ethical Representation and Navigation Act (V.E.T.E.R.A.N. Benefits Protection Act). It sets definitions, prohibitions, accreditation requirements, and creates a framework to prevent deceptive or improper practices in the field of veterans benefits representation.

Main purpose and intent

  • To govern who may provide assistance regarding veterans benefits matters and under what rules.
  • To protect veterans, dependents, and others seeking benefits from unethical, deceptive, or improperly compensated practices.
  • To align state enforcement with federal standards, and to classify certain acts as unfair or deceptive consumer practices.

Key provisions and changes

  • Definitions (Section A)

    • Definitions of “Compensation,” “Person,” and “Veterans benefits matter” to cover activities related to preparation, presentation, or assistance regarding any claim affecting veterans benefits, including those for dependents or survivors.

  • Prohibitions (Section B)

    • Prohibits receiving compensation for providing veterans benefits matter services unless allowed under federal law.
    • Prohibits receiving referral fees for directing individuals to other advisers for veterans benefits matters.
    • Prohibits guarantees of specific outcomes (e.g., certain benefits, ratings, or amounts) for veterans benefits matters.
    • Prohibits rendering compensated assistance without a properly registered fee agreement under 38 C.F.R. 14.636.

  • Accreditation (Section C)

    • Requires individuals seeking compensation for providing veterans benefits assistance to be accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under 38 C.F.R. 14.629.

  • Enforcement (Section D)

    • Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices in consumer transactions under Ohio law (Chapter 1345).

Who would be affected

  • Individuals and entities that provide services related to veterans benefits claims, including preparers, consultants, advocates, and attorneys.
  • Prospective claimants seeking assistance with VA or state veterans benefits programs.
  • Accredited VA representatives would operate under state rules, and non-accredited individuals would face prohibitions on compensation and certain referral practices.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The act establishes a regulatory framework effective upon enactment (no specific phased timeline listed in the text provided).
  • Requires adherence to federal accreditation standards (38 C.F.R. 14.629 for accreditation; 14.636 for fee agreements).
  • Violations would be enforceable as unfair or deceptive practices under Ohio consumer protection law, enabling potential investigations and penalties under Chapter 1345.

Potential impact

  • Increased oversight of veterans benefits assistants to reduce fraud, misinformation, and improper compensation arrangements.
  • Encourages alignment with federal accreditation requirements, potentially raising professional standards for those offering such services.
  • Could limit certain business practices (e.g., referral fees and guaranteed outcomes) that some providers may use.
  • May enhance protections for veterans and families seeking benefits, by providing clearer prohibitions and enforcement mechanisms.

If you’d like, I can include a plain-language brief for non-lawmakers or map the bill’s requirements to current VA and Ohio consumer protection frameworks for deeper comparison.

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

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