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S. 4646119th CongressIn committeeLatest action Jun 1, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
The plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
S 4646 reinstates fines and up to one year in prison for unauthorized people who charge veterans fees to file VA benefits claims.
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S 4646 restores criminal penalties, including fines and up to one year in prison, for anyone who charges veterans fees to help file VA benefits claims without VA authorization. Repeat offenders could be barred from working with VA claims for up to 10 years. The bill also requires the VA to notify veterans of approved helpers, add warnings and reporting tools to its websites, and update claim forms to ask whether veterans were charged.
The bill affects veterans filing for VA benefits and anyone who assists them with claims, including attorneys and claim agents. It also imposes new obligations on the VA itself to upgrade its accreditation tracking system and improve public-facing websites.
Currently no criminal penalty exists for unauthorized individuals who charge veterans for VA claim help, leaving veterans with limited legal protection against predatory practices. Restoring penalties and adding VA disclosure requirements could alter how both legitimate and unauthorized claim helpers operate.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.