Senate Approves Bill to Safeguard Services for Veterans

SB25-282 would protect veterans from paying too much for services from unaccredited bad actors

DENVER, CO – Legislation sponsored by Senator Matt Ball, D-Denver, to protect veterans from paying too much for veterans’ services from unaccredited bad actors passed the Senate today. 

“Too often, those who have bravely served our country are misled into paying thousands of dollars in fees and even going into debt for services they receive for free from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs,” Ball said. “Without preventing honest consultants in the industry from doing business, this bill would address the backlog in claims from the DMVA while cracking down on bad actors who mislead and defraud our nation’s veterans.” 

Cosponsored by Senator Byron Pelton, R-Sterling, SB25-282 would protect veterans from unaccredited consultants, often called “claim sharks,” who charge money to help navigate the application process to receive benefits from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA). 

The bill would mirror the regulations the federal government uses to regulate social security benefits from the Social Security Administration. It would require that businesses must unambiguously notify veterans that they can receive the same services for free from the DMVA, clearly state that they are not affiliated with the DMVA, and limit the amount of money consultants can receive from veterans’ back pay.

SB25-282 now moves to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.