SB73: SB73 "Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' or "SAVE Act"; enact

Georgia veterans sometimes pay private consultants or businesses to help them file claims for benefits with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. This bill, called the SAVE Act, adds a new section to Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-409) to regulate that industry. It bans paying someone just for referring a veteran to another person for help, bars charging any fee to a veteran within one year of leaving active duty unless the veteran signs a written waiver of free help, and requires a signed written fee agreement before any paid service begins. Compensation must be contingent on the claim actually succeeding, capped at five times the monthly benefit increase won, and no upfront or nonrefundable fee is allowed. The bill also requires a specific written and spoken disclosure to veterans, bans using foreign call centers or requesting a veteran's login credentials, and requires background checks for employees who access veterans' personal data. Violations count as unfair or deceptive trade practices, with each day of violation a separate offense. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it or it otherwise becomes law.

• Bans anyone from receiving payment just for referring a veteran to another person or business for help with a VA benefits claim.
• Prohibits charging a veteran for benefits help within one year of leaving active duty unless the veteran signs a written waiver of free assistance.
• Requires a signed written fee agreement before services begin and caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase won, banning upfront or nonrefundable fees.
• Requires businesses to give veterans a specific written and spoken disclosure stating they are not affiliated with the VA or Georgia Department of Veterans Service.
• Bans using international call centers for veterans' personal data and bans requesting a veteran's login or password to access medical or financial accounts.
• Requires background checks for employees who access a veteran's medical or financial information, and treats violations as unfair trade practices with daily penalties.

Veterans and their dependents or survivors who seek help filing claims for VA or Georgia veterans' benefits, and any person or company, such as claims consultants or benefits advisory businesses, that charges for that help. VA-accredited attorneys and agents already regulated by the federal government are excluded.

Veterans seeking help with benefits claims would gain clearer fee limits, mandatory disclosures, and data-security protections when dealing with paid consultants, while businesses offering these services would face new compensation caps, disclosure paperwork, and background-check requirements enforced through Georgia's consumer protection law.

• Section 1 names the bill the 'Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act' or 'SAVE Act.'
• Section 2 adds new Code section O.C.G.A. § 10-1-409 defining 'compensation,' 'veteran,' and 'veterans' benefits matter.'
• Subsection (b) bars receiving payment for referring a veteran to someone else for benefits help.
• Subsection (c) bars compensation for claims filed within one year of active duty release unless the veteran signs a written waiver of free assistance.
• Subsection (d) requires a written fee agreement, caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase awarded, and bans upfront or nonrefundable fees.
• Subsection (g) requires a specific oral and written disclosure, in at least 12-point type, before any services agreement is signed.
• Subsections (h) and (i) ban use of international call centers and requests for login credentials, and require background checks for employees accessing veterans' personal data.
• Subsection (j) makes any violation a deceptive or unfair trade practice, with subsection (k) treating each day of violation as a separate offense; Section 3 sets the effective date as upon the Governor's approval.

1. 2025-02-04Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2025-02-03Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Chuck Payne (R, SD-054)Primary sponsor
• Kay Kirkpatrick (R, SD-032)
• Ed Setzler (R, SD-037)
• Lee Anderson (R, SD-024)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Billy Hickman (R, SD-004)
• John Kennedy (R, SD-018)
• Chuck Hufstetler (R, SD-052)
• Shawn Still (R, SD-048)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Ed Harbison (D, SD-015)
• Jason Esteves (D, SD-035)

• veterans benefits
• consumer protection
• fair business practices
• fee caps
• veterans services