Florida 2025 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 10 R · 4 D cosponsors

HB 277 — Veterans' Benefits Assistance

Last action — Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 910 (Ch. 2025-150)

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Veterans' Benefits Assistance; Prohibits person from receiving compensation for referring individual to another person for advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters; authorizes compensation for services rendered during specified period only; requires that persons who advise, assist, or consult on veterans' benefits matters for compensation provide specified disclosures before entering into business relationship with client; prohibits providers who advise, assist, or consult on veterans' benefits matters from charging certain fees; prohibits charging of interest on payment plans; provides requirements in event of death of veteran claimant; provides security requirements for handling of veteran's personal & account information; requires provider to successfully complete specified background screening; provides that violation is deceptive & unfair trade practice which may be subject to specified penalties.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

178 added · 232 removed

178 line(s) added, 232 removed.

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to veterans' benefits assistance;
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 277 2025 A bill to be entitled An act relating to veterans' benefits assistance;
amending s.
435.02, F.S.;
revising the definition of the term "specified agency";
prohibiting a person from receiving compensation for referring an individual to a provider for advising, assisting, or consulting on any veterans' benefits matter;
prohibiting a person from receiving compensation for referring an individual to another person for advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters;
authorizing a provider to receive compensation only for services rendered during a specified period only under certain circumstances;
authorizing compensation for services rendered during a specified period only under certain circumstances;
providing requirements for such disclosure;
prohibiting a provider who advises, assists, or consults on veterans' benefits matters for Page 1 of 9 CODING:
providing security requirements for the handling of a veteran's personal and account information;
requiring a provider to successfully complete a specified background screening before entering into an agreement with a veteran for Page 1 of 7 CODING:
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 compensation from taking certain actions;
hb277-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 277 2025 veterans' benefits matters;
requiring a provider to ensure that individuals who directly assist a veteran in a veterans' benefits matter complete a specified background screening before entering into an agreement with a veteran for a veterans' benefits matter;
providing requirements;
providing construction;
prohibiting a person who provides services from receiving compensation under certain circumstances and until certain conditions are met;
prohibiting a person who provides services from receiving compensation before the resolution of a certain complaint if the individual receiving services files such a complaint;
Subsection (7) of section 435.02, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
435.02 Definitions.—For the purposes of this chapter, the term:
(7) "Specified agency" means the Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, the Agency for Health Care Page 2 of 9 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 Administration, the Department of Elderly Affairs, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Education, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, each district unit under s.
1001.30, special district units under s.
1011.24, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind under s.
1002.36, the Florida Virtual School under s.
1002.37, virtual instruction programs under s.
1002.45, charter schools under s.
1002.33, hope operators under s.
1002.333, private schools participating in an educational scholarship program established pursuant to chapter 1002, alternative schools under s.
1008.341, regional workforce boards providing services as defined in s.
445.002(3), and local licensing agencies approved pursuant to s.
402.307, when these agencies are conducting state and national criminal history background screening on persons who work with children or persons who are elderly or disabled.
Section 2.
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(c) "Veteran" has the same meaning as in s.
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 (c) "Veteran" has the same meaning as in s.
(d) "Veterans' benefits matter" means the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a veteran's claim, or a claim by the veteran's spouse, dependent child, or any other individual eligible for any benefit, program, service, commodity, function, status, or entitlement under the laws and regulations administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Page 2 of 7 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb277-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 277 2025 (d) "Veterans' benefits matter" means the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a veteran's claim, or a claim by the veteran's spouse, dependent child, or any other individual eligible for any benefit, program, service, commodity, function, status, or entitlement under the laws and regulations administered by the Department of Veterans' Affairs or the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
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1.
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Memorializes the specific terms under which the compensation will be determined;
and Page 3 of 7 CODING:
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 1.
hb277-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 277 2025 2.
Memorializes the specific terms under which the compensation will be determined;
and 2.
Any such compensation may not exceed the lesser of four times the amount of the monthly increase in benefits awarded based on the claim or $12,500, and must be paid out according to the specific terms agreed to by both parties in accordance with subparagraph 1.
Any such compensation may not exceed the lesser of five times the amount of the monthly increase in benefits awarded based on the claim or $12,500, and must be paid out according to the specific terms agreed to by both parties in accordance with subparagraph 1.
This business is not sponsored by or affiliated with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other federally chartered veterans' service organization.
88 "This business is not sponsored by or affiliated with the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or any other federally chartered veterans' service organization.
Products or services offered by this business are not necessarily endorsed by any Page 5 of 9 CODING:
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 Page 4 of 7 CODING:
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 of these organizations.
hb277-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 277 2025 are receiving services here." 2.
You may qualify for other veterans' benefits beyond the benefits for which you are receiving services here.
The written disclosure must appear in a font size of at least 12 points in an easily identifiable place in the provider's agreement with the individual seeking services and must be signed by the individual to signify that he or she understands the oral and written disclosure's provisions.
2.
The provider must retain a copy of the written disclosure while providing veterans' benefits services to the individual for compensation and for at least 6 years after the date on which the service relations terminate.
The written disclosure must appear in a clearly legible font in at least 12-point type immediately above the signature line and must be signed by the individual to signify that he or she understands the oral and written disclosure provisions.
The provider shall retain a copy of the written disclosure while providing veterans' benefits services to the individual for compensation and for at least 6 years after the date on which the services provided under the agreement terminate.
(4) PROHIBITIONS.— (a) A provider may not guarantee, either directly or by implication, a successful outcome or that an individual is Page 6 of 9 CODING:
(4) PROHIBITIONS.— (a) A provider may not guarantee, either directly or by implication, a successful outcome or that an individual is certain to receive specific veterans' benefits or a specific Page 5 of 7 CODING:
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 certain to receive specific veterans' benefits or a specific level, percentage, or amount of veterans' benefits.
hb277-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 277 2025 level, percentage, or amount of veterans' benefits.
May not use an international call center or data center to directly solicit a veteran to enter into a business relationship with the provider or process a veteran's personal information.
May not use an international call center or data center to process a veteran's personal information.
3.
(5) BACKGROUND SCREENING.—A provider must successfully complete a level 2 background screening as described in s.
May not employ a medical provider to conduct a secondary medical examination of the veteran.
435.04 before entering into any agreement with a veteran for veterans' benefits matters.
(5) BACKGROUND SCREENING.—A provider must ensure that all individuals who directly assist a veteran in a veterans' benefits matter complete a level 2 background screening that screens for any offenses identified in ss.
408.809(4) or 435.04(2)(d), (e), or (oo) or (4) before entering into any agreement with a veteran for veterans' benefits matters.
An individual must submit a full set of fingerprints to the Department of Law Enforcement or to a vendor, entity, or agency authorized by s.
943.053(13), which shall forward the fingerprints to the Department of Law Enforcement for state processing.
The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall transmit the background screening results to the provider, which results Page 7 of 9 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 must indicate whether an individual's background screening contains any of the offenses listed in this subsection.
Fees for state and federal fingerprint processing must be borne by the provider or individual.
The state cost for fingerprint processing is as provided in s.
943.053(3)(e).
This subsection does not imply endorsement, certification, or regulation of providers by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.
(7) COMPLAINT.—If a veteran who receives services from a provider under this section in return for compensation files a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General based on alleged absence of good faith as defined in s.
(7) COMPLAINT.—If an individual to whom a provider provides services under this section in return for compensation files a complaint with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General, the provider may not receive compensation for any services provided to such an individual before the resolution of the complaint.
673.1031(1), and if such veteran does not receive a monthly monetary increase as a direct result of such provider's services, the provider may not receive compensation for any services provided to such an individual before the resolution of the complaint.
Violators may be subject to penalties provided in that part, including s.
Violators may be subject to Page 6 of 7 CODING:
501.2077 for violations against a military servicemember or his or her spouse Page 8 of 9 CODING:
hb277-02-c2 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/CS/HB 277 2025 or dependent child.
hb277-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 277 2025 penalties provided in that part, including s.
501.2077 for violations against a military servicemember or his or her spouse or dependent child.
Section 3.
Section 2.
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hb277-02-c2
hb277-01-c1
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Action History

  1. Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 910 (Ch. 2025-150)

  2. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  3. Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading

  4. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (4/16/2025)

  5. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  6. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

  7. Bill referred to House Calendar

  8. CS Filed

  9. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  10. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

  11. Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee

  12. Added to State Affairs Committee agenda

  13. Now in State Affairs Committee

  14. Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

  15. Favorable by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

  16. Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda

  17. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

  18. Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

  19. Referred to State Affairs Committee

  20. Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

  21. CS Filed

  22. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  23. Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  24. Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  25. Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda

  26. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  27. Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  28. Referred to State Affairs Committee

  29. Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

  30. Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

  31. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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4 sponsors · 12 co-sponsors · 148 not signed on

Sponsors (4)

Co-sponsors (12)

Not signed on (148)

148 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 148 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable With Committee Substitute (State Affairs Committee)

Passed 21 Yea · 0 Nay · 5 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 15003
Unaffiliated 2000
Democrat 4002
Total 21005
% of votes cast 81%0%0%19%
How each member voted (26)
Member Party Vote
Caruso — Yea
Casello — Yea
Cross, Lindsay Democrat Yea
Eskamani, Dr. Anna V. Democrat Yea
Gantt, Ashley Viola Democrat Yea
Joseph, Dotie Democrat Yea
Nixon, Angela "Angie" Democrat Not Voting
Tendrich, Debra Democrat Not Voting
Basabe, Fabián Republican Yea
Blanco, Omar Republican Yea
Botana, Adam Republican Yea
Chaney, Linda Republican Yea
Cobb, Nan Republican Yea
Duggan, Wyman Republican Yea
Gentry, Richard Republican Yea
Giallombardo, Mike Republican Yea
Gonzalez Pittman, Karen Republican Yea
Griffitts Jr., Philip Wayne "Griff" Republican Yea
Holcomb, Jeff Republican Yea
Maggard, Randall Scott "Randy" Republican Not Voting
Mayfield, Debbie Republican Yea
Mooney Jr., James Vernon "Jim" Republican Yea
Rizo, Alex Republican Yea
Robinson Jr., William Cloud "Will" Republican Not Voting
Snyder, John Republican Not Voting
Weinberger, Meg Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable (Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee)

Passed 12 Yea · 0 Nay · 6 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democrat 4001
Republican 7005
Unaffiliated 1000
Total 12006
% of votes cast 67%0%0%33%
How each member voted (18)
Member Party Vote
Lopez, V. — Yea
Antone, Bruce Hadley Democrat Yea
Eskamani, Dr. Anna V. Democrat Yea
Hinson, Yvonne Hayes Democrat Yea
Nixon, Angela "Angie" Democrat Not Voting
Spencer, Leonard Democrat Yea
Benarroch, Yvette Republican Not Voting
Busatta, Demi Republican Not Voting
Gentry, Richard Republican Yea
Giallombardo, Mike Republican Yea
Mayfield, Debbie Republican Not Voting
McFarland, Fiona Republican Not Voting
Oliver, Vanessa Republican Yea
Overdorf, Tobin Rogers "Toby" Republican Yea
Porras, Juan Carlos Republican Yea
Sapp, Judson Republican Yea
Valdés, Susan L. Republican Yea
Yeager, Bradford Troy "Brad" Republican Not Voting

Official roll call →

Favorable With Committee Substitute (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee)

Passed 18 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 11000
Democrat 5000
Unaffiliated 2000
Total 18000
% of votes cast 100%0%0%0%
How each member voted (18)
Member Party Vote
Caruso — Yea
Temple — Yea
Campbell, Daryl Democrat Yea
Daley, Dan Democrat Yea
Dunkley, Lisa Democrat Yea
Gantt, Ashley Viola Democrat Yea
Harris, Jennifer "Rita" Democrat Yea
Black, Dean Republican Yea
Chamberlin, Ryan Republican Yea
Cobb, Nan Republican Yea
Gerwig, Anne Republican Yea
Gossett-Seidman, Peggy Republican Yea
Griffitts Jr., Philip Wayne "Griff" Republican Yea
Holcomb, Jeff Republican Yea
Johnson, Chad Republican Yea
Kendall, Kim Republican Yea
Michael, Kiyan Republican Yea
Rizo, Alex Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

civil-rights veterans
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 277 do?
Veterans' Benefits Assistance; Prohibits person from receiving compensation for referring individual to another person for advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters; authorizes compensation for services rendered during specified period only; requires that persons who advise, assist, or consult on veterans' benefits matters for compensation provide specified disclosures before entering into business relationship with client; prohibits providers who advise, assist, or consult on veterans' benefits matters from charging certain fees; prohibits charging of interest on payment plans; provides requirements in event of death of veteran claimant; provides security requirements for handling of veteran's personal & account information; requires provider to successfully complete specified background screening; provides that violation is deceptive & unfair trade practice which may be subject to specified penalties.
Who sponsors HB 277?
HB 277 is sponsored by Valdés, Susan L. (Republican), Salzman, Michelle (Republican), Partington, Bill (Republican), Mooney Jr., James Vernon "Jim" (Republican), Joseph, Dotie (Democrat), Dunkley, Lisa (Democrat), Chambliss, Kevin D. (Democrat), Buchanan, James (Republican), Booth, Erika (Republican), Blanco, Omar (Republican), Benarroch, Yvette (Republican), Bartleman, Robin (Democrat), Alvarez, Daniel Antonio "Danny" (Republican), Albert, Jon (Republican), Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, and State Affairs Committee.
What is the current status of HB 277?
This bill died with 2025 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 277?
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