Veterans Benefits Claims Deceptive Trade Practices

Federal law governs whether, when, and how much a service provider may charge for preparing, presenting, or prosecuting a claim for veterans' benefits (veterans' benefits matter). However, criminal penalties for violations of the federal law are no longer in force.

The bill makes it a deceptive trade practice under the "Colorado Consumer Protection Act" for a person to:

• Solicit, contract for, charge, or receive compensation for providing certain services to an individual claiming veterans' benefits (individual), unless the charges are reasonable and otherwise permissible under federal law;
• Charge for a referral for assistance with a veterans' benefits matter;
• Guarantee a particular outcome in a veterans' benefits matter; or
• Fail to memorialize in a written, signed agreement all terms regarding an individual's payment of fees for the service.
  (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)