By: Parker S.B. No. 2968
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to prohibiting certain deceptive trade practices by
businesses assisting veterans with Department of Veterans Affairs
claims.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 17, Business and Commerce
Code, is amended by adding Sections 17.465 and 17.466 to read as
follows:
Sec. 17.465. PROHIBITED PRACTICES FOR BUSINESSES ASSISTING
VETERANS. (a) A business operating in this state which advertises
its services to veterans with regard to claims preparation,
presentation, and prosecution with the Department of Veterans
Affairs is prohibited from engaging in false, misleading, or
deceptive acts or practices, including:
(1) causing confusion or misrepresenting directly or
by implication the actual costs of participation in the business's
programs or membership programs;
(2) causing confusion directly or by implication about
the types of services offered and provided by the business or the
benefits of such services;
(3) offering to provide or providing a veteran with
individualized, personal advice while preparing, prosecuting, or
presenting a veteran's specific disability claims unless offering
such advice through individuals accredited by the Department of
Veterans Affairs;
(4) causing confusion regarding its affiliation with
the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(5) accessing or seeking to access the Department of
Veterans Affairs benefit information of a veteran through the
Department of Veterans Affairs' eBenefits portal.
(b) A business that violates this section is liable to this
state for a civil penalty. A civil penalty assessed under this
subsection may not exceed $25,000 per violation.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.