Bill Commons

IN SB 231

died on adjournment

Assistance in obtaining veterans' benefits.

Indiana · 2026 Regular Session (2nd Regular Session, 124th General Assembly) · upper

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Quick answers

Did IN SB 231 pass?

No. IN SB 231 died when the 2026 Regular Session (2nd Regular Session, 124th General Assembly) adjourned without final action on it. Bills that die this way are sometimes reintroduced in a later session. Latest recorded action (2026-01-08): First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military

What is IN SB 231 about?

Provides that a person may not receive compensation for: (1) the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of; or (2) advising, consulting, or assisting an individual regarding; a veterans' benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law. Provides that a person may not receive compensation for referring an individual to another person to provide services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not receive excessive or unreasonable fees for services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not condition the repayment of fees: (1) upon the opening of a joint account with the recipient of veterans' benefits from which the person may make withdrawals; (2) upon the use of electronic funds transfers; or (3) by requiring an individual to act, in any manner, in violation of federal requirements relating to preauthorized transactions. Provides that a person may not collect, or attempt to collect, any fee for services rendered after receipt of benefits by a veteran or any other individual eligible for the benefits, if the person participated in the veterans' benefits matter prior to the issuance of veterans' benefits, and if the transaction was structured with an intent to avoid prohibited acts. Provides that a person seeking to receive compensation for services related to veterans' benefits matters must, before rendering any services, enter into a written agreement that is signed by both parties and that complies with federal regulations, including all terms regarding the payment of fees for services rendered. Requires a person to provide certain disclosures when entering into a business relationship with an individual or advertising for compensation services. Provides that a violation constitutes a deceptive act under the law concerning deceptive consumer sales and senior consumer protection provisions.

Who sponsors IN SB 231?

James Tomes is the primary sponsor of IN SB 231.

Description

Provides that a person may not receive compensation for: (1) the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of; or (2) advising, consulting, or assisting an individual regarding; a veterans' benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law. Provides that a person may not receive compensation for referring an individual to another person to provide services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not receive excessive or unreasonable fees for services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not condition the repayment of fees: (1) upon the opening of a joint account with the recipient of veterans' benefits from which the person may make withdrawals; (2) upon the use of electronic funds transfers; or (3) by requiring an individual to act, in any manner, in violation of federal requirements relating to preauthorized transactions. Provides that a person may not collect, or attempt to collect, any fee for services rendered after receipt of benefits by a veteran or any other individual eligible for the benefits, if the person participated in the veterans' benefits matter prior to the issuance of veterans' benefits, and if the transaction was structured with an intent to avoid prohibited acts. Provides that a person seeking to receive compensation for services related to veterans' benefits matters must, before rendering any services, enter into a written agreement that is signed by both parties and that complies with federal regulations, including all terms regarding the payment of fees for services rendered. Requires a person to provide certain disclosures when entering into a business relationship with an individual or advertising for compensation services. Provides that a violation constitutes a deceptive act under the law concerning deceptive consumer sales and senior consumer protection provisions.

Introduced
—
Latest action
2026-01-08 — First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military
Bill type
bill
Last updated
—

Subjects

Sponsors

  • James Tomesauthor

Committees

Not provided by source.

Action timeline

Newest first

  1. 2026-01-08

    First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military

    reading-1,referral-committee

  2. 2026-01-08

    Authored by Senator Tomes

Versions

Documents

Votes

Not provided by source.

Related bills

No related bills recorded for this bill.

Official source

https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/sb0231

Attribution

Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T05:22:09.317128Z

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