SB315 — Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; created, prohibited practices, penalties.

Summary

Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; created, prohibited practices, penalties.

Bill Text

Compared against the Code of Virginia as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

This bill amends 4 section(s) of the Code of Virginia: 59.1-200, 59.1-614, 59.1-615, 59.1-616.

• 59.1-200

  and

  Strikes “and”.

• 59.1-200

  ; and

  Inserts “; and”.

• 59.1-200

  88. Violating any provision of the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act (§ 59.1-614 et seq.)

  Inserts “88. Violating any provision of the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act (§ 59.1-614 et seq.)”.

• 59.1-614

  As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:

  Inserts “As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:”.

• 59.1-614

  "Compensation" means the payment of any money, thing of value, or economic benefit in return for services rendered.

  Inserts “"Compensation" means the payment of any money, thing of value, or economic benefit in return for services rendered.”.

• 59.1-614

  "Person" means the same as that term is defined in § 59.1-198.

  Inserts “"Person" means the same as that term is defined in § 59.1-198.”.

• 59.1-614

  "Veterans' benefits matter" means the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim affecting any individual who has filed or expressed an intent to file a claim for any benefit, program, service, commodity, function, or status that is offered under the laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Veterans Services pertaining to veterans, their dependents, their survivors, and any other individual eligible for such benefits.

  Inserts “"Veterans' benefits matter" means the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim affecting any individual who has filed or expressed an intent to file a claim for any benefit, program, service, commodity, function, or status that is offered under the laws and regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Veterans Services pertaining to veterans, their dependents, their survivors, and any other individual eligible for such benefits.”.

• 59.1-615

  A. No person shall receive compensation for referring any individual to another person to prepare, present, prosecute, advise, consult, or assist such individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter.

  Inserts “A. No person shall receive compensation for referring any individual to another person to prepare, present, prosecute, advise, consult, or assist such individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter.”.

• 59.1-615

  B. No person shall receive compensation for any services rendered in connection to a veterans' benefits matter involving a claim filed within one year of a veteran's release from active duty unless such veteran signs a waiver stating that the veteran opts to deny the free services available during such one-year period.

  Inserts “B. No person shall receive compensation for any services rendered in connection to a veterans' benefits matter involving a claim filed within one year of a veteran's release from active duty unless such veteran signs a waiver stating that the veteran opts to deny the free services available during such one-year period.”.

• 59.1-615

  C. A person seeking to receive compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter shall, before rendering any services, memorialize the specific terms by which the compensation amount will be determined in a written agreement signed by both parties. Such compensation shall be contingent on an increase in benefits awarded, and if such increase occurs, such compensation shall not exceed five times the amount of the monthly increase in benefits awarded based on the claim. No such person shall charge any initial or nonrefundable fee.

  Inserts “C. A person seeking to receive compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter shall, before rendering any services, memorialize the specific terms by which the compensation amount will be determined in a written agreement signed by both parties. Such compensation shall be contingent on an increase in benefits awarded, and if such increase occurs, such compensation shall not exceed five times the amount of the monthly increase in benefits awarded based on the claim. No such person shall charge any initial or nonrefundable fee.”.

• 59.1-615

  D. No person shall guarantee, directly or by implication, a successful outcome or that any individual is certain to receive a particular outcome regarding any veterans' benefits matter.

  Inserts “D. No person shall guarantee, directly or by implication, a successful outcome or that any individual is certain to receive a particular outcome regarding any veterans' benefits matter.”.

• 59.1-615

  E. Any person preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter for compensation shall provide the following written disclosure at the outset of the business relationship:

  Inserts “E. Any person preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter for compensation shall provide the following written disclosure at the outset of the business relationship:”.

• 59.1-615

  "This business is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Services, or any other federally chartered veterans service organization. Other organizations, including the Department of Veterans Services, a local veterans service organization, or other federally chartered veterans service organizations, may be able to provide you with this service free of charge. Products or services offered by this business are not necessarily endorsed by any of these organizations. You may qualify for other veterans' benefits beyond the benefits for which you are receiving services here."

  Inserts “"This business is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Veterans Services, or any other federally chartered veterans service organization. Other organizations, including the Department of Veterans Services, a local veterans service organization, or other federally chartered veterans service organizations, may be able to provide you with this service free of charge. Products or services offered by this business are not necessarily endorsed by any of these organizations. You may qualify for other veterans' benefits beyond the benefits for which you are receiving services here."”.

• 59.1-615

  Such written disclosure shall appear in at least 12-point font in a conspicuous place in the person's agreement with the individual seeking services. The individual shall sign such written disclosure to verify receipt and understanding of its contents. The person offering services shall retain a copy of the signed written disclosure until at least one year after such services end.

  Inserts “Such written disclosure shall appear in at least 12-point font in a conspicuous place in the person's agreement with the individual seeking services. The individual shall sign such written disclosure to verify receipt and understanding of its contents. The person offering services shall retain a copy of the signed written disclosure until at least one year after such services end.”.

• 59.1-615

  F. No person preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter for compensation shall:

  Inserts “F. No person preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter for compensation shall:”.

• 59.1-615

  1. Utilize international call centers to process veterans' personal information;

  Inserts “1. Utilize international call centers to process veterans' personal information;”.

• 59.1-615

  2. Use a veteran's personal login, username, or password information to access such veteran's medical, financial, or government benefits information; or

  Inserts “2. Use a veteran's personal login, username, or password information to access such veteran's medical, financial, or government benefits information; or”.

• 59.1-615

  3. Permit any individual to access a veteran's medical or financial information without undergoing a background check conducted by a reputable source, including identity verification and a criminal records check.

  Inserts “3. Permit any individual to access a veteran's medical or financial information without undergoing a background check conducted by a reputable source, including identity verification and a criminal records check.”.

• 59.1-615

  G. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply to, limit, or expand the requirements imposed on agents, attorneys, or other representatives accredited and regulated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

  Inserts “G. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to apply to, limit, or expand the requirements imposed on agents, attorneys, or other representatives accredited and regulated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.”.

• 59.1-616

  Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a prohibited practice under the provisions of § 59.1-200 and shall be subject to any and all of the enforcement provisions of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.).

  Inserts “Any violation of this chapter shall constitute a prohibited practice under the provisions of § 59.1-200 and shall be subject to any and all of the enforcement provisions of the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq.).”.

Action History

1. April 13, 2026

   Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0603)

2. April 13, 2026

   Approved by Governor-Chapter 603 (effective 7/1/2026)

3. March 10, 2026

   Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

4. March 10, 2026

   S Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026

5. March 02, 2026

   S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB315)

6. March 02, 2026

   S Signed by President

7. March 02, 2026

   H Signed by Speaker

8. March 02, 2026

   S Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB315ER)

9. March 02, 2026

   S Enrolled

10. February 26, 2026

    S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB315)

11. February 26, 2026

    S House substitute agreed to by Senate (38-Y 2-N 0-A)

12. February 24, 2026

    H Passed House with substitute (91-Y 5-N 0-A)

13. February 24, 2026

    H Engrossed by House - committee substitute

14. February 24, 2026

    H committee substitute agreed to

15. February 24, 2026

    H Read third time

16. February 24, 2026

    H Moved from Uncontested Calendar to Regular Calendar

17. February 23, 2026

    H Read second time

18. February 19, 2026

    H Committee substitute printed 26108164D-H1

19. February 19, 2026

    H Reported from Labor and Commerce with substitute (19-Y 0-N)

20. February 18, 2026

    H Placed on Labor and Commerce Agenda

21. February 10, 2026

    S Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB315)

22. February 03, 2026

    H Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce

23. February 03, 2026

    H Read first time

24. February 03, 2026

    H Placed on Calendar

25. January 27, 2026

    S Read third time and passed Senate (34-Y 4-N 0-A)

26. January 26, 2026

    S Engrossed by Senate

27. January 26, 2026

    S Read second time

28. January 26, 2026

    S Engrossed by Senate (Voice Vote)

29. January 23, 2026

    S Passed by for the day

30. January 23, 2026

    S Passed by for the day (Voice Vote)

31. January 23, 2026

    S Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

32. January 23, 2026

    S Rules suspended

33. January 21, 2026

    S Reported from General Laws and Technology (11-Y 2-N 2-A)

34. January 13, 2026

    S Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology

35. January 13, 2026

    S Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26100649D

Sponsors

• Adam P. Ebbin · Primary

Votes

Subjects