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California Senate passes SB 694 to curb predatory veterans’ claims practices after heated debate
Summary
SB 694, authored by Sen. Archuleta, passed the Senate after extended debate. The bill aligns state law with federal VA accreditation rules, increases penalties for unlawful access to veterans’ data, caps certain fees and delays implementation until Jan. 1, 2027 to allow a transition period for providers.
Senators passed SB 694 on a 25–6 vote after a floor debate that split veterans advocates and lawmakers over whether the measure protects veterans or restricts their choice of assistance.
Sen. Archuleta, the bill’s author, said the measure extends federal standards to California to prevent for-profit firms from exploiting veterans, arguing that "SB 694 stands for the principle that any business operating in the arena of providing assistance to veterans in filing a claim for VA benefits should have to play by the same set of rules." He described provisions that would increase penalties for unauthorized access to VA data and cap fees charged by nonaccredited firms.
Supporters — including Sen. McGuire and Sen. Wahab — urged passage as consumer…
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