1. Home
  2. News
  3. Case Studies
  4. Research
  5. Legislation
  6. Events
  7. Videos
  8. Contact Us
  9. Bill Search
Search:

LegislationLEGISLATION | Detail


H.R. 1826:

Sponsor: Bilirakis (R - FL)

Official Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees.

Status:
5/11/2011: Introduced in House
5/11/2011: Referred to House Veteran Affairs Committee
5/11/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
5/25/2011: Referred to House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
5/25/2011: Hearing Held by House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
6/1/2011: Referred to House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
7/7/2011: Hearing Held by House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
7/22/2011: Mark up in the House Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs
7/22/2011: Forwarded to full committee by voice vote

Commentary:
This bill would amend 38 U.S.C. § 5905 to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees in connection with benefit proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, section 5905 subjects a person to criminal sanctions if that individual “wrongfully withholds from any claimant or beneficiary any part of a benefit or claim allowed and due to the claimant or beneficiary.” H.R. 1826 would maintain this existing criminal provision and add another prohibiting actual or attempted solicitation, contracting for, charging for, or receiving “any fee or compensation in connection [with] … the provision of advice on how to file a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary [of Veterans Affairs].” The actual or attempted “preparation, presentation, or prosecution of such a claim before the date on which a notice of disagreement is filed” would also be prohibited. Violations of these provisions would be punishable by up to one year imprisonment, fines under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, or both. This bill is related to H.R. 1826.

Legislative Update Alert

The Legislative Update provides commentary on criminal legislation before Congress.


       

Featured Legislation

Related Websites

Heritage Foundation Overcriminalized.com is a product of The Heritage Foundation.
214 Massachusetts Avenue NE | Washington DC 20002-4999
ph 202.546.4400 | fax 202.546.8328
© 1995 - 2008 The Heritage Foundation