MN HF3394

Commissioner of Veterans Affairs must develop a written disclosure statement in coordination with the Minnesota Association of County Veterans Service Officers for use by private providers of veterans benefits services.

The disclosure statement must include a signature line, department contact information, and a statement that veterans benefits services are offered at no cost by federally chartered veterans service organizations and county veterans service officers.

Private providers advertising veterans benefits appeal services must conspicuously disclose in advertisements that such services are also offered at no cost by county veterans service officers.

Private providers offering veterans benefits services for compensation must provide the written disclosure statement to each client and obtain the client's signed attestation that they have read and understood it before entering into an agreement or accepting payment.

Violations of disclosure requirements are subject to civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation, with each day of continuing violation counting as a separate violation; penalties are deposited in the Support Our Troops account.