Veterans (Veteran Healthcare)

HB 2732 requires Kansas to include on death certificates of veterans with a service-connected disability or a condition presumed service-connected by the VA whether the cause of death is related to military service. The state registrar must maintain a confidential roster of these veterans, and cause of death certifiers must use this roster to determine and document the connection. Survivors of such veterans will receive two free copies of the death certificate showing this relationship, which helps them apply for veterans' benefits without needing additional proof.

SB 434 creates a new Kansas sales tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It exempts purchases of tangible personal property or services (excluding motor vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, and e-cigarettes) for personal use, up to $24,000 annually per veteran. Eligible veterans must obtain a state-issued exemption ID card and provide proof of their VA certification. The exemption also extends to surviving spouses until remarriage and covers purchases made on behalf of the veteran by authorized household members.

SB 433 prohibits individuals or companies from charging fees for assisting veterans with claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or Kansas Veterans Services. It requires the Kansas Veterans Services office to provide free counseling on the claims process to potential claimants (excluding those seeking burial, healthcare, or education benefits), and makes any assistance contract void if counseling isn’t completed. The bill also bans contracts from requiring veterans to share login credentials or waive consumer protection rights, and treats violations as unconscionable under Kansas consumer law. This directly affects veterans navigating benefit claims and service providers offering such assistance.

SB 307 establishes a veteran diversion program requiring county prosecutors to offer eligible veterans an alternative to prosecution for specific offenses. Veterans with military-connected health conditions (such as PTSD, substance use disorders, or traumatic brain injury) who face misdemeanor charges or severity levels 7-10 felonies may enter a tailored treatment program instead of traditional criminal proceedings. The bill also expands sentencing considerations by adding military trauma as a formal mitigating factor for judges when determining penalties. This applies to veterans who served in the armed forces (including National Guard/Reserve) and have documented military-related health challenges.

HB 2214, the SAVE Act, limits fees charged by non-governmental advocates helping veterans navigate benefits claims. It prohibits upfront or nonrefundable fees and caps compensation at five times the monthly benefit increase if a claim succeeds. The bill requires written agreements, mandates specific disclosures that the service isn't affiliated with the VA or free government programs, and bans guarantees of specific benefits. It also includes data privacy rules for advocates handling veterans' personal information, such as requiring criminal background checks for staff accessing medical or financial data. The law applies to individuals or businesses charging for veterans benefits assistance, excluding VA-accredited representatives.