July 17, 2025
Mr. Whitehouse (for himself, Mr. King, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Welch) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve warnings about potential predatory practices regarding individuals acting as agents or attorneys in the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of veterans claims, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Department of Veterans Affairs Claim Sharks Effective Warnings Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Improve warnings about potential predatory practices regarding agents and attorneys for veterans claims
(a) In general
Section 5901(b) of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
in the matter before subparagraph (A) by striking , each time a claimant under a law administered by the Secretary logs in to a website or online tool of the Department, such website or online tool issues to the claimant
and inserting each public-facing website and online tool of the Department issues
;
(B)
in subparagraph (A), by inserting , including individuals lacking recognition by the Secretary as described in subsection (a)
after chapter
;
(C)
in subparagraph (C), by striking ; and
and inserting a semicolon;
(D)
in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
(E)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(E)
a message discouraging veterans from sharing their Department account log-in credentials or bank account log-in credentials, such as usernames or passwords, with anyone.; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
(3)
The Secretary shall carry out this subsection by acting through the Chief Veterans Experience Officer.
(b) Effective date
The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.