117 S4975 IS: Veterans Claims Education Act of 2022 U.S. Senate 2022-09-28 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

II117th CONGRESS2d SessionS. 4975IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESSeptember 28, 2022Mr. Blumenthal (for himself and Mr. Boozman) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' AffairsA BILLTo amend title 38, United States Code, to promote assistance from entities recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2022.

2.

Promotion of assistance from entities recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for individuals who file certain claims under laws administered by the Secretary

(a)

Notice to claimants of available assistance from recognized entities

Section 5103A of title 38, United States Code, is amended—(1)by redesignating subsections (g) through (i) as subsections (h) through (j), respectively; and(2)by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection (g):(g)(1)Upon receipt of an initial claim by a claimant not represented in such claim by an accredited entity, the Secretary shall provide notice to the claimant that—(A)such an accredited entity may assist the claimant;(B)provides the web address of an online search tool that lists entities that assist in the filing of such claims; and(C)provides the web address of an appropriate and publicly accessible website of the Department through which a claimant may report—(i)an entity, which is not an accredited entity, that filed a claim on the behalf of such claimant or assisted a claimant in such filing; and(ii)any fee charged by such entity to such claimant.(2)In this subsection:(A)The term accredited entity means—(i)a veterans service organization recognized under section 5902 of this title; or(ii)an attorney, agent, or other entity recognized under section 5904 of this title.(B)The term represent means to prepare, present, or prosecute a claim under a law administered by the Secretary..(b)

Online information regarding entities that assist claimants

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall include, in each web portal of the Department of Veterans Affairs, through which an individual may file a claim for a benefit administered by the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Under Secretary for Health, a warning regarding fees an agent or attorney may charge such individual for assistance in filing such claim. Such warning shall include the following:(1)A link to the search tool described in subparagraph (B) of section 5103A(g)(1) of such title, as amended by subsection (a).(2)A link to the website of the Department described in subparagraph (C) of section 5103A(f)(1) of such title, as amended by subsection (a).