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Protecting veterans and Camp Lejeune victims from excessive legal fees

This act reinstates penalties for unauthorized fees charged to veterans for benefit claims assistance. It also sets limits on attorney fees for individuals affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination, ensuring that most of the compensation goes to the victims, not their lawyers.
Key points
Veterans: Criminal penalties are reinstated for individuals charging unauthorized fees to veterans for assistance with benefit claims, aiming to protect veterans from exploitation.
Camp Lejeune: Limits are imposed on attorney fees for individuals affected by water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Lawyers can charge a maximum of 20% if the claim is resolved within 180 days, or 33.3% after litigation begins.
Camp Lejeune: Compensation for Camp Lejeune victims must be deposited into trust accounts, and attorneys can only receive their fees after the funds have been disbursed to the client, preventing unfair practices.
Camp Lejeune: Attorneys exceeding fee limits may face fines up to $5,000. Non-compliance with payment terms is also subject to penalties.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_5274
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Process start date: 2022-12-15
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

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.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_5274.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2022-12-15.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Veterans: Criminal penalties are reinstated for individuals charging unauthorized fees to veterans for assistance with benefit claims, aiming to protect veterans from exploitation.
  • Camp Lejeune: Limits are imposed on attorney fees for individuals affected by water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Lawyers can charge a maximum of 20% if the claim is resolved within 180 days, or 33.3% after litigation begins.
  • Camp Lejeune: Compensation for Camp Lejeune victims must be deposited into trust accounts, and attorneys can only receive their fees after the funds have been disbursed to the client, preventing unfair practices.
  • Camp Lejeune: Attorneys exceeding fee limits may face fines up to $5,000. Non-compliance with payment terms is also subject to penalties.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

CATEGORIES

Benefits Courts and Law