Committee advances bill to regulate companies that charge veterans for help preparing VA claims; VFW opposes

Chairman Bonner introduced House Bill 108 as a framework to regulate for-profit companies that assist veterans in preparing Department of Veterans Affairs benefit claims, describing it as a balance between protecting veterans from predatory actors and preserving options for veterans who want paid help.

Bonner told the committee the sponsors held three statewide hearings — in Atlanta, Warner Robins and Augusta — to hear from veterans, veteran service organizations and Department of Veterans Services staff, and that no representatives from the federal Veterans Administration attended those hearings.

The bill would amend state law to require written disclosure and a signed agreement before any compensated assistance begins, ban upfront fees, bar the use of international call centers and the collection of veterans’ personal login credentials, require…