S 3237 — Patriot Bill of Rights

3237 IntroducedEngrossed in Senate (IS)](ES)] <DOC> 118th CONGRESS 1st2d Session S.

3237 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To amend the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to ensure claimants are adequately informed regarding filing a Federal cause of action.

_______________________________________________________________________ IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 7, 2023 Mr.

Tillis introduced the following bill;

which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To amend the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to ensure claimants are adequately informed regarding filing a Federal cause of action.

INFORMATION REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS TO VETERANS BRINGING FEDERAL CAUSE OF ACTIONSACTION RELATING TO WATER AT CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA.

``(k) Acknowledgments.-- ``(1) Guidance and advice services.--Anservices.--A individual,veteran, or the legal representative of ana individual,veteran, bringing a cause of action under subsection (b) shall sign a written acknowledgment, provided by the attorney, indicating that the individualveteran or legal representative bringing the action understands that the individualveteran or legal representative may seek guidance and advice on any disability awards, payments, or benefits, in addition to and separate from rights provided under this Act, to which the veteran may be entitled under any program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, free of charge from-- ``(A) organizations recognized under section 5902 of title 38, United States Code;

and ``(C) the congressional representatives of the individual or legal representative;representative.

and``(2) ``(D)Application to pending matters.--For any cause of action brought under subsection (b) that is pending on the Tortdate Claimsof Unitenactment of this subsection, not later than 90 days after such date of enactment, the Departmentveteran bringing the action, the legal representative of the Navy.veteran, or the attorney for the veteran or legal representative, as applicable, shall file the acknowledgments described in paragraph (1).''.

``(2) Other required acknowledgments.--An attorney representing an individual or the legal representative of an individual in a cause of action brought under subsection (b) shall file with the Secretary of the Navy a written acknowledgment signed by the individual or legal representative indicating that the individual or legal representative understands-- ``(A) legal representation by an attorney is not required to file an action;

and ``(B) the attorney's fee arrangement regarding representation in the action, which shall include an acknowledgment of whether the fee arrangement is one under which the total amount of the fee payable to the attorney is-- ``(i) to be paid to the attorney by the claimant, subsequent to the allocation of the award;

or ``(ii) contingent on whether the matter is resolved in a manner favorable to the claimant.

``(3) Application to pending matters.--For any cause of action brought under subsection (b) that is pending on the date of enactment of this subsection, not later than 90 days after such date of enactment, the individual bringing the action, the legal representative of the individual, or the attorney for the individual or legal representative, as applicable, shall file the acknowledgments described in paragraphs (1) and (2).

``(4) Advertising.--A law firm that receives veteran data from an advertising agency shall reduce the attorney's legal fee in an amount equal to the cost incurred by the law firm to receive the data.''.

<all>Passed the Senate June 4, 2024.

Attest:

Secretary.

118th CONGRESS 2d Session S.

3237 _______________________________________________________________________ AN ACT To amend the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to ensure claimants are adequately informed regarding filing a Federal cause of action.