Utah 2025 Regular Session

Utah House Bill HB0248 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	~~Enrolled Copy~~ H.B. 248
	1	+	01-16 14:43 H.B. 248
2	2		1
3	3		Veteran Protections Amendments
4	4		2025 GENERAL SESSION
5	5		STATE OF UTAH
6	6		Chief Sponsor: Verona Mauga
7		-	Senate Sponsor: Jerry W. Stevenson
8		-
9		-	Cosponsor: Doug Fiefia Grant Amjad Miller
10		-
11		-	Cheryl K. Acton Jake Fitisemanu Carol S. Moss
12		-
13		-	Gay Lynn Bennion Sahara Hayes Hoang Nguyen
14		-
15		-	Jefferson S. Burton Sandra Hollins Doug Owens
16		-
17		-	Tyler Clancy Jason B. Kyle Angela Romero
18		-
19		-	Jennifer Dailey-Provost Anthony E. Loubet Raymond P. Ward
20		-
21		-	Rosalba Dominguez Ashlee Matthews
22	7		2
23	8
24	9		3
25	10		LONG TITLE
26	11		4
27	12		General Description:
28	13		5
29	14		This bill addresses protections for veterans.
30	15		6
31	16		Highlighted Provisions:
32	17		7
33	18		This bill:
34	19		8
35	20		▸ provides that the Division of Consumer Protection is responsible for enforcing civil
36	21		9
37	22		penalties for individuals who unlawfully provide veterans with assistance in obtaining
38	23		10
39	24		VA benefits;
40	25		11
41	26		▸ clarifies what conduct is not permitted when providing veterans with assistance in
42	27		12
43	28		obtaining VA benefits; and
44	29		13
45	30		▸ makes technical and conforming changes.
46	31		14
47	32		Money Appropriated in this Bill:
48	33		15
49	34		None
50	35		16
51	36		Other Special Clauses:
52	37		17
53	38		None
54	39		18
55		-	Utah Code Sections Affected: ~~H.B. 248 Enrolled Copy~~
	40	+	Utah Code Sections Affected:
56	41		19
57	42		AMENDS:
58	43		20
59	44		13-11-4, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2024, Chapters 102, 186
60	45		21
61	46		71A-4-101, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 44
62	47		22
63	48		71A-4-102, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 44
64	49		23
65	50		71A-4-103, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 44
66	51		24
67	52		71A-4-104, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 44
68	53		25
69	54		71A-4-105, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 44
70	55		26
71	56
72	57		27
73	58		Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
74	59		28
75	60		Section 1. Section 13-11-4 is amended to read:
76	61		29
77	62		13-11-4 . Deceptive act or practice by supplier.
78	63		30
79	64		(1) A deceptive act or practice by a supplier in connection with a consumer transaction
80	65		31
81		-	violates this chapter whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction.
	66	+	violates this chapter whether it occurs before, during, or after the transaction. H.B. 248 01-16 14:43
82	67		32
83	68		(2) Without limiting the scope of Subsection (1), a supplier commits a deceptive act or
84	69		33
85	70		practice if the supplier knowingly or intentionally:
86	71		34
87	72		(a) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction has sponsorship, approval,
88	73		35
89	74		performance characteristics, accessories, uses, or benefits, if it has not;
90	75		36
91	76		(b) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction is of a particular standard,
92	77		37
93	78		quality, grade, style, or model, if it is not;
94	79		38
95	80		(c) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction is new, or unused, if it is not, or
96	81		39
97	82		has been used to an extent that is materially different from the fact;
98	83		40
99	84		(d) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction is available to the consumer for a
100	85		41
101	86		reason that does not exist, including any of the following reasons falsely used in an
102	87		42
103	88		advertisement:
104	89		43
105	90		(i) "going out of business";
106	91		44
107	92		(ii) "bankruptcy sale";
108	93		45
109	94		(iii) "lost our lease";
110	95		46
111	96		(iv) "building coming down";
112	97		47
113	98		(v) "forced out of business";
114	99		48
115	100		(vi) "final days";
116	101		49
117	102		(vii) "liquidation sale";
118	103		50
119	104		(viii) "fire sale";
120	105		51
121	106		(ix) "quitting business"; or
122	107		52
123	108		(x) an expression similar to any of the expressions in Subsections (2)(d)(i) through
124		-	- 2 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 248
125	109		53
126	110		(ix);
127	111		54
128	112		(e) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction has been supplied in accordance
129	113		55
130	114		with a previous representation, if it has not;
131	115		56
132	116		(f) indicates that the subject of a consumer transaction will be supplied in greater
133	117		57
134	118		quantity than the supplier intends;
135	119		58
136	120		(g) indicates that replacement or repair is needed, if it is not;
137	121		59
138	122		(h) indicates that a specific price advantage exists, if it does not;
139	123		60
140	124		(i) indicates that the supplier has a sponsorship, approval, license, certification, or
141	125		61
142	126		affiliation the supplier does not have;
143	127		62
144	128		(j)(i) indicates that a consumer transaction involves or does not involve a warranty, a
145	129		63
146	130		disclaimer of warranties, particular warranty terms, or other rights, remedies, or
147	131		64
148	132		obligations, if the representation is false; or
149	133		65
150	134		(ii) fails to honor a warranty or a particular warranty term;
	135	+	- 2 - 01-16 14:43 H.B. 248
151	136		66
152	137		(k) indicates that the consumer will receive a rebate, discount, or other benefit as an
153	138		67
154	139		inducement for entering into a consumer transaction in return for giving the supplier
155	140		68
156	141		the names of prospective consumers or otherwise helping the supplier to enter into
157	142		69
158	143		other consumer transactions, if receipt of the benefit is contingent on an event
159	144		70
160	145		occurring after the consumer enters into the transaction;
161	146		71
162	147		(l) after receipt of payment for goods or services, fails to ship the goods or furnish the
163	148		72
164	149		services within the time advertised or otherwise represented or, if no specific time is
165	150		73
166	151		advertised or represented, fails to ship the goods or furnish the services within 30
167	152		74
168	153		days, unless within the applicable time period the supplier provides the buyer with
169	154		75
170	155		the option to:
171	156		76
172	157		(i) cancel the sales agreement and receive a refund of all previous payments to the
173	158		77
174	159		supplier if the refund is mailed or delivered to the buyer within 10 business days
175	160		78
176	161		after the day on which the seller receives written notification from the buyer of the
177	162		79
178	163		buyer's intent to cancel the sales agreement and receive the refund; or
179	164		80
180	165		(ii) extend the shipping date to a specific date proposed by the supplier;
181	166		81
182	167		(m) except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), fails to furnish a notice meeting the
183	168		82
184	169		requirements of Subsection (3)(a) of the purchaser's right to cancel a direct
185	170		83
186	171		solicitation sale within three business days of the time of purchase if:
187	172		84
188	173		(i) the sale is made other than at the supplier's established place of business pursuant
189	174		85
190	175		to the supplier's personal contact, whether through mail, electronic mail, facsimile
191	176		86
192	177		transmission, telephone, or any other form of direct solicitation; and
193		-	- 3 - H.B. 248 Enrolled Copy
194	178		87
195	179		(ii) the sale price exceeds $25;
196	180		88
197	181		(n) promotes, offers, or grants participation in a pyramid scheme as defined under Title
198	182		89
199	183		76, Chapter 6a, Pyramid Scheme Act;
200	184		90
201	185		(o) in connection with a charitable solicitation:
202	186		91
203	187		(i) falsely indicates that:
204	188		92
205	189		(A) the supplier is affiliated with a charitable organization;
206	190		93
207	191		(B) the supplier is an employee, officer, or representative of a public safety
208	192		94
209	193		agency;
210	194		95
211	195		(C) the supplier has sponsorship or approval of a given charitable organization;
212	196		96
213	197		(D) a charitable contribution will be provided to a given charitable organization;
214	198		97
215	199		(E) providing a charitable contribution has an additional benefit, including a tax
216	200		98
217	201		benefit; or
218	202		99
219	203		(F) the recipient of the solicitation has previously contributed to a given charitable
	204	+	- 3 - H.B. 248 01-16 14:43
220	205		100
221	206		organization;
222	207		101
223	208		(ii) uses a fictitious name or a name the supplier is not authorized to use; or
224	209		102
225	210		(iii) with intent to deceive:
226	211		103
227	212		(A) uses a name that is substantially similar to that of another charitable
228	213		104
229	214		organization; or
230	215		105
231	216		(B) falsely indicates that a charitable contribution will be used for a particular
232	217		106
233	218		purpose;
234	219		107
235	220		(p) if a consumer indicates the consumer's intention of making a claim for a motor
236	221		108
237	222		vehicle repair against the consumer's motor vehicle insurance policy:
238	223		109
239	224		(i) commences the repair without first giving the consumer oral and written notice of:
240	225		110
241	226		(A) the total estimated cost of the repair; and
242	227		111
243	228		(B) the total dollar amount the consumer is responsible to pay for the repair,
244	229		112
245	230		which dollar amount may not exceed the applicable deductible or other copay
246	231		113
247	232		arrangement in the consumer's insurance policy; or
248	233		114
249	234		(ii) requests or collects from a consumer an amount that exceeds the dollar amount a
250	235		115
251	236		consumer was initially told the consumer was responsible to pay as an insurance
252	237		116
253	238		deductible or other copay arrangement for a motor vehicle repair under Subsection
254	239		117
255	240		(2)(p)(i), even if that amount is less than the full amount the motor vehicle
256	241		118
257	242		insurance policy requires the insured to pay as a deductible or other copay
258	243		119
259	244		arrangement, unless:
260	245		120
261	246		(A) the consumer's insurance company denies that coverage exists for the repair,
262		-	- 4 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 248
263	247		121
264	248		in which case, the full amount of the repair may be charged and collected from
265	249		122
266	250		the consumer; or
267	251		123
268	252		(B) the consumer misstates, before the repair is commenced, the amount of money
269	253		124
270	254		the insurance policy requires the consumer to pay as a deductible or other
271	255		125
272	256		copay arrangement, in which case, the supplier may charge and collect from
273	257		126
274	258		the consumer an amount that does not exceed the amount the insurance policy
275	259		127
276	260		requires the consumer to pay as a deductible or other copay arrangement;
277	261		128
278	262		(q) includes in any contract, receipt, or other written documentation of a consumer
279	263		129
280	264		transaction, or any addendum to any contract, receipt, or other written documentation
281	265		130
282	266		of a consumer transaction, any confession of judgment or any waiver of any of the
283	267		131
284	268		rights to which a consumer is entitled under this chapter;
285	269		132
286	270		(r) charges a consumer for a consumer transaction or a portion of a consumer transaction
287	271		133
288	272		that has not previously been agreed to by the consumer;
	273	+	- 4 - 01-16 14:43 H.B. 248
289	274		134
290	275		(s) solicits or enters into a consumer transaction with a person who lacks the mental
291	276		135
292	277		ability to comprehend the nature and consequences of:
293	278		136
294	279		(i) the consumer transaction; or
295	280		137
296	281		(ii) the person's ability to benefit from the consumer transaction;
297	282		138
298	283		(t) solicits for the sale of a product or service by providing a consumer with an
299	284		139
300	285		unsolicited check or negotiable instrument the presentment or negotiation of which
301	286		140
302	287		obligates the consumer to purchase a product or service, unless the supplier is:
303	288		141
304	289		(i) a depository institution under Section 7-1-103;
305	290		142
306	291		(ii) an affiliate of a depository institution; or
307	292		143
308	293		(iii) an entity regulated under Title 7, Financial Institutions Act;
309	294		144
310	295		(u) sends an unsolicited mailing to a person that appears to be a billing, statement, or
311	296		145
312	297		request for payment for a product or service the person has not ordered or used, or
313	298		146
314	299		that implies that the mailing requests payment for an ongoing product or service the
315	300		147
316	301		person has not received or requested;
317	302		148
318	303		(v) issues a gift certificate, instrument, or other record in exchange for payment to
319	304		149
320	305		provide the bearer, upon presentation, goods or services in a specified amount
321	306		150
322	307		without printing in a readable manner on the gift certificate, instrument, packaging,
323	308		151
324	309		or record any expiration date or information concerning a fee to be charged and
325	310		152
326	311		deducted from the balance of the gift certificate, instrument, or other record;
327	312		153
328	313		(w) misrepresents the geographical origin or location of the supplier's business;
329	314		154
330	315		(x) fails to comply with the restrictions of Section 15-10-201 on automatic renewal
331		-	- 5 - H.B. 248 Enrolled Copy
332	316		155
333	317		provisions;
334	318		156
335	319		(y) violates Section 13-59-201;
336	320		157
337	321		(z) fails to comply with the restrictions of Subsection 13-54-202(2);[ or]
338	322		158
339	323		(aa) states or implies that a registration or application administered or enforced by the
340	324		159
341	325		division is an endorsement, sanction, or approval by the division or a governmental
342	326		160
343	327		agency or office[.] ; or
344	328		161
345	329		(bb) fails to comply with the requirements of Section 71A-4-102 regarding assistance to
346	330		162
347	331		veterans for benefits.
348	332		163
349	333		(3)(a) The notice required by Subsection (2)(m) shall:
350	334		164
351	335		(i) be a conspicuous statement written in dark bold with at least 12-point type on the
352	336		165
353	337		first page of the purchase documentation; and
354	338		166
355	339		(ii) read as follows: "YOU, THE BUYER, MAY CANCEL THIS CONTRACT AT
356	340		167
357	341		ANY TIME PRIOR TO MIDNIGHT OF THE THIRD BUSINESS DAY (or time
	342	+	- 5 - H.B. 248 01-16 14:43
358	343		168
359	344		period reflecting the supplier's cancellation policy but not less than three business
360	345		169
361	346		days) AFTER THE DATE OF THE TRANSACTION OR RECEIPT OF THE
362	347		170
363	348		PRODUCT, WHICHEVER IS LATER."
364	349		171
365	350		(b) A supplier is exempt from the requirements of Subsection (2)(m) if the supplier's
366	351		172
367	352		cancellation policy:
368	353		173
369	354		(i) is communicated to the buyer; and
370	355		174
371	356		(ii) offers greater rights to the buyer than Subsection (2)(m).
372	357		175
373	358		(4)(a) A gift certificate, instrument, or other record that does not print an expiration date
374	359		176
375	360		in accordance with Subsection (2)(v) does not expire.
376	361		177
377	362		(b) A gift certificate, instrument, or other record that does not include printed
378	363		178
379	364		information concerning a fee to be charged and deducted from the balance of the gift
380	365		179
381	366		certificate, instrument, or other record is not subject to the charging and deduction of
382	367		180
383	368		the fee.
384	369		181
385	370		(c) Subsections (2)(v) and (4)(b) do not apply to a gift certificate, instrument, or other
386	371		182
387	372		record useable at multiple, unaffiliated sellers of goods or services if an expiration
388	373		183
389	374		date is printed on the gift certificate, instrument, or other record.
390	375		184
391	376		Section 2. Section 71A-4-101 is amended to read:
392	377		185
393	378
394	379		CHAPTER 4. VETERANS BENEFITS APPLICATION ASSISTANCE
395	380		186
396	381
397	382		REQUIREMENTS AND PROHIBITIONS
398		-	- 6 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 248
399	383		187
400	384		71A-4-101 . Definitions.
401	385		188
402	386		(1) As used in this chapter:
403	387		189
404	388		(a) "Accredited" means a veterans service organization, representative, agent, or attorney
405	389		190
406	390		to whom authority has been granted by the VA to provide assistance to claimants in
407	391		191
408	392		the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for VA benefits.
409	393		192
410	394		[(b) "Assistance" means an accredited individual providing claimant-specific
411	395		193
412	396		recommendations or preparing or submitting an application for VA benefits on behalf
413	397		194
414	398		of a claimant.]
415	399		195
416	400		(b) "Assistance" means an act performed by a person on behalf of a claimant to:
417	401		196
418	402		(i) provide claimant-specific recommendations for VA benefits; or
419	403		197
420	404		(ii) prepare or submit an application for VA benefits on behalf of a claimant.
421	405		198
422	406		(c) "Certify" means to submit in writing to a veteran or the veteran's dependents certain
423	407		199
424	408		disclosure forms provided by the department.
	409	+	- 6 - 01-16 14:43 H.B. 248
425	410		200
426	411		(d) "Claimant" means [a person] an individual who has filed or has expressed to [a
427	412		201
428	413		service organization representative, agent, or attorney] an accredited person an
429	414		202
430	415		intention to file a written application for determination of entitlement to benefits
431	416		203
432	417		provided under United States Code, Title 38, and implementing directives.
433	418		204
434	419		(e) "Compensation" means payment of money, a thing of financial value, or a financial
435	420		205
436	421		benefit.
437	422		206
438	423		(f) "Division" means the Division of Consumer Protection created within the
439	424		207
440	425		Department of Commerce in Section 13-2-1.
441	426		208
442	427		[(e)] (g) "Non-compliant referral" means referring a veteran's or a veteran's dependent's
443	428		209
444	429		original claim for veteran benefits for assistance to [an individual] a person who is in
445	430		210
446	431		violation of the provisions of this chapter.
447	432		211
448	433		[(f) "Referring entity" means an individual, business, or organization licensed in this
449	434		212
450	435		state who refers or assists a veteran or a veteran's dependents for assistance with an
451	436		213
452	437		original claim for veteran benefits.]
453	438		214
454	439		[(g)] (h) "VA benefits" means any payment, service, commodity, function, or status
455	440		215
456	441		entitlement [which] that is determined under laws administered by the VA pertaining
457	442		216
458	443		to veterans, dependents, and survivors, as well as other potential beneficiaries under
459	444		217
460	445		United States Code[,] Title 38.
461	446		218
462	447		[(h)] (i) "Veteran" includes all eligible dependents.
463	448		219
464	449		(2) Terms defined in Section 71A-1-101 apply to this chapter.
465	450		220
466	451		Section 3. Section 71A-4-102 is amended to read:
467		-	- 7 - H.B. 248 Enrolled Copy
468	452		221
469	453		71A-4-102 . Requirements and prohibitions regarding assisting a claimant.
470	454		222
471	455		(1) Each [individual] person offering to assist veterans in applying for VA benefits shall:
472	456		223
473	457		(a) be accredited, in compliance with the provisions of C.F.R., Title 38, Pensions,
474	458		224
475	459		Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief, or, if under the supervision of an accredited attorney,
476	460		225
477	461		meet the provisions of C.F.R., Title 38, pertaining to authorized claim representation
478	462		226
479	463		under an attorney; and
480	464		227
481	465		(b) disclose in writing, in a format approved by the department that the claimant can
482	466		228
483	467		retain, the federal laws, regulations, and rules governing assistance for VA benefits.
484	468		229
485	469		(2) The disclosure required by Subsection (1)(b) shall specifically include:
486	470		230
487	471		(a) the [individual's] person's:
488	472		231
489	473		(i) name;
490	474		232
491	475		(ii) business address;
492	476		233
493	477		(iii) business phone number; and
	478	+	- 7 - H.B. 248 01-16 14:43
494	479		234
495	480		(iv) the registration number from the VA;
496	481		235
497	482		(b) a statement of the claimant's rights regarding the assistance for VA benefits,
498	483		236
499	484		including that there is no charge to the claimant or a member of the claimant's family
500	485		237
501	486		for assistance with the initial benefits application; and
502	487		238
503	488		(c) a statement that if, as a result of the [individual] person providing assistance for a
504	489		239
505	490		claim, income is accrued to the assisting [individual] person from the sale of a product
506	491		240
507	492		or other services to the claimant, the income is both justified and reasonable as
508	493		241
509	494		compared with income from similar products and services available in the state.
510	495		242
511	496		(3) No provisions of the form may be struck out or designated as nonapplicable.
512	497		243
513	498		(4) Disclosure forms, when completed, shall be:
514	499		244
515	500		(a) signed by both the [individual ] person providing assistance and the claimant; and
516	501		245
517	502		(b) retained for three years by the assisting [individual] person.
518	503		246
519	504		(5) Copies of the disclosure form shall be provided to:
520	505		247
521	506		(a) the veteran on the day the form is completed and signed; and
522	507		248
523	508		(b) the department within five working days.
524	509		249
525	510		(6) A person seeking to receive compensation for preparation, presentation or prosecution
526	511		250
527	512		of, or advising, consulting or assisting an individual with a VA benefits matter that is
528	513		251
529	514		allowed by federal law, regulation, and rule governing the assistance for VA benefits
530	515		252
531	516		shall, before rendering any services, document in a written agreement the terms of the
532	517		253
533	518		compensation signed by both parties that complies with 38 C.F.R. 14.636.
534	519		254
535	520		(7) A person may not:
536		-	- 8 - Enrolled Copy H.B. 248
537	521		255
538	522		(a) receive compensation for preparation, presentation, or prosecution of, or advising,
539	523		256
540	524		consulting or assisting an individual with, a VA benefits matter, except as permitted
541	525		257
542	526		under federal law or regulation governing the assistance for VA benefits;
543	527		258
544	528		(b) receive compensation for referring an individual to another person to prepare, present
545	529		259
546	530		or prosecute, or advise, consult or assist the individual with, a VA benefits matter;
547	531		260
548	532		(c) receive, with respect to an individual's VA benefits matter, compensation for services
549	533		261
550	534		rendered before the date on which a notice of disagreement, decision review, or
551	535		262
552	536		appeal is filed, whichever comes first;
553	537		263
554	538		(d) guarantee, either directly or by implication, that any individual will receive specific
555	539		264
556	540		VA benefits or that any individual will receive a specific level, percentage, or amount
557	541		265
558	542		of VA benefits; or
559	543		266
560	544		(e) receive excessive or unreasonable fees as compensation for preparation, presentation
561	545		267
562	546		or prosecution of, or advising, consulting or assisting an individual with, a VA
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563	548		268
564	549		benefits matter as described in 38 C.F.R. 14.636.
565	550		269
566	551		(8) The division may:
567	552		270
568	553		(a) accept complaints alleging violations of this section; and
569	554		271
570	555		(b) bring an enforcement action under Title 13, Chapter 11, Utah Consumer Sales
571	556		272
572	557		Practices Act, against a person who violates this section.
573	558		273
574	559		Section 4. Section 71A-4-103 is amended to read:
575	560		274
576	561		71A-4-103 . Education requirements.
577	562		275
578	563		(1) [All individuals and attorneys ] Every person providing assistance to a veteran shall
579	564		276
580	565		complete three hours of qualifying education as specified in 38 C.F.R. 14.629(b) during
581	566		277
582	567		the first 12 month period following the date of the person's initial accreditation.
583	568		278
584	569		(2) An additional three hours of qualifying continuing education shall be completed by the
585	570		279
586	571		person described in Subsection (1) every two years following the initial 12-month period.
587	572		280
588	573		Section 5. Section 71A-4-104 is amended to read:
589	574		281
590	575		71A-4-104 . Department responsibilities -- Notification -- Assistance --
591	576		282
592	577		Complaints -- Claimant responsibilities.
593	578		283
594	579		(1) The department shall notify in writing each veteran for whom the department has
595	580		284
596	581		contact information that any [individual or business ] person offering to assist veterans in
597	582		285
598	583		applying for benefits shall disclose in writing to the veteran the following:
599	584		286
600	585		(a) 38 C.F.R. 14.629 and 38 C.F.R. 14.630 require that any [individual] person providing
601	586		287
602	587		assistance be accredited by the VA;
603	588		288
604	589		(b) federal law restricts charging a veteran a fee for assisting in the initial application for
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606	590		289
607	591		VA benefits; and
608	592		290
609	593		(c) the department's website has a list with contact information of VA accredited claim
610	594		291
611	595		representatives.
612	596		292
613	597		(2) Beginning July 1, 2015, and every three years after the department shall:
614	598		293
615	599		(a) notify the Insurance Department regarding the federal law governing assistance for
616	600		294
617	601		VA benefits, and the Insurance Department shall notify all individual producers and
618	602		295
619	603		consultants licensed by the Insurance Department at the time of initial licensing and
620	604		296
621	605		upon license renewal of those same federal laws governing assistance for VA
622	606		297
623	607		benefits;
624	608		298
625	609		(b) contact the Utah State Bar regarding federal law governing legal assistance for
626	610		299
627	611		claimants applying for benefits and request that the association provide continuing
628	612		300
629	613		legal education on federal laws governing assistance; and
630	614		301
631	615		(c) notify the Department of Health and Human Services regarding federal law
	616	+	- 9 - H.B. 248 01-16 14:43
632	617		302
633	618		governing the assistance for claimants applying for benefits, and require the
634	619		303
635	620		Department of Health and Human Services to notify all assisted living and nursing
636	621		304
637	622		care facilities of those federal laws.
638	623		305
639	624		(3) The executive director may establish procedures for processing complaints related to
640	625		306
641	626		assistance regarding a claim for VA benefits.
642	627		307
643	628		(4) For violations by accredited or non-accredited [individuals] persons who offer assistance
644	629		308
645	630		with VA benefits, the executive director may [audit] evaluate selected assisting [
646	631		309
647	632		individuals and referring entities] persons for compliance with this chapter and federal
648	633		310
649	634		laws which govern the provision of assistance to claimants.
650	635		311
651	636		Section 6. Section 71A-4-105 is amended to read:
652	637		312
653	638		71A-4-105 . Veterans Benefits Application Assistance Act -- Exempt
654	639		313
655	640		organizations.
656	641		314
657	642		Accredited representatives of the following organizations are exempt from the
658	643		315
659	644		provisions of this chapter:
660	645		316
661	646		(1) the department;
662	647		317
663	648		[(1)] (2) American Legion;
664	649		318
665	650		[(2)] (3) Veterans of Foreign Wars;
666	651		319
667	652		[(3)] (4) Disabled American Veterans;
668	653		320
669	654		[(4)] (5) Vietnam Veterans of America;
670	655		321
671	656		[(5)] (6) American Veterans (AMVET);
672	657		322
673	658		[(6)] (7) Military Order of the Purple Heart; and
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675	659		323
676	660		[(7)] (8) other VA recognized service organizations or individuals as determined by the
677	661		324
678	662		executive director.
679	663		325
680	664		Section 7. Effective Date.
681	665		326
682	666		This bill takes effect on May 7, 2025.
683		-	- 11 -
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