Veterans assistance; prohibit unethical collection of fees in veterans benefits matters.

SB 2669 prohibits anyone from charging fees for assisting veterans with benefits claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, or Mississippi’s State Veterans Affairs Board. It directly affects veterans seeking benefits and individuals or organizations offering such assistance, banning compensation for preparing, presenting, or advising on these claims. The bill requires these helpers to follow the same ethical standards as licensed attorneys (covering confidentiality, honesty, and client duty), and violations would be treated as deceptive trade practices under Mississippi law, allowing the Attorney General to pursue enforcement. This aims to prevent exploitation of veterans navigating complex benefits systems.