DES MOINES – Iowa veterans will receive added consumer protection after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2200, which was proposed by the Iowa Attorney General’s office.
The bill prohibits anyone from receiving compensation for advising or assisting someone with veterans’ benefits or referring a person to an accredited veteran service representative. It also requires organizers of events or presentations on veterans benefits to disclose that the event is not affiliated with U.S. or Iowa departments of veterans affairs.
“Applying for veterans’ benefits is free, and Iowa veterans and their families should beware of advisers who are not accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Attorney General Tom Miller.
This bill passed the Iowa House on March 19 on a 96-0 vote and the Iowa Senate on April 2, 47-0. Reynolds signed the bill on Monday. The bill was managed by Sen. Ken Rozenboom, R-Oskaloosa, and Rep. Terry Baxter, R-Garner.
In February, Miller filed a lawsuit against a Chickasaw County business and its owner, alleging they deceptively claimed authority to provide paid veterans’ benefits assistance.
The lawsuit, filed in Polk County District Court, alleges Sonya Ackerson of Nashua and her business, Advocate 4 the Aging LLC, charged fees for veterans’ benefits assistance without being federally accredited.
