S. 5274 · 117th Congress · Senate

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Active· Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR S7254-7259)
Introduced
Dec 15, 22
Passed Senate
Pending
Passed House
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

This bill limits attorneys' fees for claims involving individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.

Further, the bill requires an attorney representing an individual for such a claim to disburse the funds of any judgment or award to that individual before collecting any compensation for services rendered.

The bill also establishes certain penalties for (1) a person who solicits, contracts, charges, receives, or attempts such actions with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a veterans benefits claim; and (2) any legal representative who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with certain tort claims or certain claims related to Camp Lejeune.