SB 910 Florida Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Veterans’ Benefits Assistance

Summary

Veterans’ Benefits Assistance; Prohibiting a person from receiving compensation for referring an individual to a provider for advising, assisting, or consulting on any veterans’ benefits matter; requiring that persons who advise, assist, or consult on veterans’ benefits matters for compensation provide a specified oral and written disclosure before entering into a business relationship with a client; prohibiting a provider who advises, assists, or consults on veterans’ benefits matters from charging certain fees; requiring a provider to ensure that individuals who directly assist a veteran in a veterans’ benefits matter complete a specified background screening before entering into an agreement with a veteran for veterans’ benefits matters, etc.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Signed Jun 19, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 910 c2 → S 910 er · 12 edits

MAJOR

This bill was finalized in enrolled form (er) after being in committee conference form (c2). The substantive policy content remains largely the same, but the enrolled version includes additional metadata headers, standardized formatting, and minor text refinements like changing 'consulting' to 'consulting with the individual' for clarity. The core provisions regarding veterans' benefits assistance, compensation limits, disclosure requirements, and background screening rules are preserved.

TECHNICAL

Added enrolled bill metadata headers including bill number, dates, and status indicators that were not present in the committee version.

Added construction provision in subsection (9) clarifying the bill does not apply to Department of Veterans' Affairs employees or accredited attorneys.

REQUIREMENT

Changed 'consulting on' to 'consulting with the individual regarding' in subsection (2)(a) for improved clarity about the prohibited referral compensation.

Added specific language in subsection (2)(c) clarifying that compensation is contingent upon securing a benefit increase, with a cap of four times the monthly increase or $12,500.

Added detailed disclosure requirements in subsection (2)(d) including specific text that must be provided orally and in writing before business relationships begin.

Added prohibition on international call centers or data centers for soliciting veterans in subsection (4)(b)(1).

Added prohibition on using veterans' personal login credentials to access their information in subsection (4)(b)(2).

Added prohibition on employing medical providers to conduct secondary medical examinations in subsection (4)(b)(3).

Added specific background screening requirements in subsection (5) including level 2 screening, fingerprint submission, and fee allocation.

Added documentation requirements in subsection (6) mandating providers provide copies of executed documents to veterans and retain copies for 6 years.

ENFORCEMENT

Added complaint procedure in subsection (7) allowing veterans to file complaints with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

Added specific penalty provisions in subsection (8) referencing the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

S 910 c1 → S 910 c2 · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to expand its scope by adding a definition to the state's general definitions chapter and strengthening consumer protections for veterans seeking benefits assistance. The most significant substantive change is the reduction of the maximum compensation a provider can charge from five times the monthly benefit increase to four times, while also adding specific prohibitions on international call centers, unauthorized access to veteran accounts, and secondary medical examinations by providers.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include an amendment to section 435.02, which adds the Department of Veterans' Affairs to the list of 'specified agencies' conducting background checks on employees who work with vulnerable populations.

DEFINITION

Added a new amendment to section 435.02 to include the Department of Veterans' Affairs in the list of agencies conducting background screenings on employees working with children, elderly, or disabled persons.

REQUIREMENT

Reduced the maximum compensation a provider can charge from five times the monthly benefit increase to four times the monthly benefit increase, with a $12,500 cap remaining unchanged.

Added new prohibitions preventing providers from using international call centers to solicit veterans, accessing veterans' personal login credentials to view medical or financial information, or employing medical providers to conduct secondary medical examinations.

Added specific requirements that the written disclosure provided to veterans must appear in at least 12-point font above the signature line and must be signed by the veteran to confirm understanding.

Extended the document retention requirement from unspecified to a minimum of 6 years after services terminate.

Added a new provision prohibiting providers from taking certain actions if a veteran files a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

ENFORCEMENT

Added specific penalties referencing the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and penalties for violations against military servicemembers or their dependents.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2025 · House Apr 29, 2025

How they voted

36–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 38

Apr 15, 2025

D Democratic10

9 Yea 1

90% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican27

26 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 19, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor

legislature

Apr 29, 2025

Lower · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Committee

Bill referred to House Calendar

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Apr 3, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 04/08/25, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Mar 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Commerce and Tourism; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Commerce and Tourism, 03/31/25, 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building

upper

Mar 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Mar 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security, 03/18/25, 3:30 pm, 301 Senate Building

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

upper

Feb 28, 2025

Committee

Referred to Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; Commerce and Tourism; Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors