S 5274 United States Senate · 117th Congress

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Summary
This bill limits attorneys' fees for claims involving individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Further, the bill requires an attorney representing an individual for such a claim to disburse the funds of any judgment or award to that individual before collecting any compensation for services rendered. The bill also establishes certain penalties for (1) a person who solicits, contracts, charges, receives, or attempts such actions with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a veterans benefits claim; and (2) any legal representative who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with certain tort claims or certain claims related to Camp Lejeune.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2022
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Dec 15, 2022 Last action Dec 15, 2022
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Dec 15, 2022
Senate · Referred to committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR S7254-7259)
Dec 15, 2022
Senate · Introduced
Introduced in Senate
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Richard J. Durbin
Richard J. Durbin
DDemocratic
IL
n/a