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 However, criminal penalties for violations of the federal law are no longer in force.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.
