S.B. No. 2968 aims to protect veterans from deceptive trade practices by businesses that assist them with claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill introduces new provisions in the Business and Commerce Code, specifically Sections 17.465 and 17.466, which outline prohibited practices for these businesses. Key prohibitions include engaging in false or misleading advertising regarding costs and services, providing individualized advice without proper accreditation, misrepresenting affiliations with the Department of Veterans Affairs, and improperly accessing veterans' benefit information through the eBenefits portal.
Violations of these provisions would result in civil penalties for the offending businesses, with fines not exceeding $25,000 per violation. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of the Texas Legislature; otherwise, it will become effective on September 1, 2025.
Statutes affected: Introduced: ()