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Maryland hearing pits veterans’ groups against for-profit claims consultants over accreditation and fees
Summary
HB 267 would authorize the Maryland attorney general to enforce rules barring unaccredited entities from charging veterans for initial VA claims and appeals; state veterans’ officials urged approval while for-profit consultants urged amendments to preserve choice and add guardrails.
Delegate Nick Allen told the Economic Matters Committee HB 267 would protect Maryland veterans from companies that charge fees to prepare initial VA claims or to assist with appeals without federal accreditation. Allen said federal law already bars charging for initial claims unless the helper is accredited by the VA, but criminal penalties were repealed in 2006 and enforcement gaps persist.
Representatives of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans urged the committee…
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