Governor Newsom Signs Senator Archuleta’s SB 694, a Major Victory for California’s Veterans

Sacramento, CA – Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera) proudly stood alongside Governor Gavin Newsom Tuesday as he signed Senate Bill 694 into law, delivering a major victory for California’s veterans by cracking down on deceptive and predatory practices that target those seeking their earned benefits.

Authored by Senator Archuleta, co-authored by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita) and Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside), and co-sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta, SB 694 strengthens protections against unaccredited individuals, often referred to as “claim sharks,” who exploit veterans through illegal fees, false promises, and misuse of sensitive information.

“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and as a veteran myself, I am pleased to see SB 694 signed into law,” Senator Archuleta said. “This is a clear victory for veterans and their families. California is sending a strong message that exploitation of those who served will not be tolerated.”

SB 694 reinforces the role of trusted, VA-accredited County Veteran Service Offices and nonprofit Veterans Service Organizations while closing loopholes that allowed bad actors to operate without accountability. The law prohibits unaccredited claims assistance, bans the request or use of veterans’ federal login credentials, and enforces fee limits consistent with federal law.

“Today, I am proud to stand with a coalition of veterans organizations in celebration of the signing of SB 694, legislation that continues our commitment to vigorously protect those who have sacrificed so much to protect us," said Attorney General Bonta. “Claim sharks pose a financial risk to veterans who need help with their benefits claims. SB 694 will degrade and deter the ability of these predatory individuals or companies to exploit veterans seeking help accessing their benefits. I thank Senators Archuleta and Cervantes, and Assemblywoman Schiavo, for authoring this legislation and Governor Newsom for signing it into law and making it clear: If you want to charge veterans for help with their benefits claims, you must be accredited by the VA."

With nearly 1.8 million veterans calling California home, SB 694 strengthens the state’s commitment to protecting veterans and ensuring they receive every benefit they earned through their service.

“As Chair of the Military and Veterans Committee and the daughter of a veteran, alongside so many, we fought to protect disabled veterans from illegal fees charged by predatory claims sharks,” Assemblywoman Schiavo said. “I am grateful to Senator Bob Archuleta for his leadership in authoring this legislation and for his unwavering commitment to protecting those who served. Veterans who earned their benefits through service and sacrifice deserve every penny, and with the Governor’s signature of SB 694, we are making it clear that we will always protect our veterans and hold predators accountable.”

This new law will prohibit any person or entity from soliciting, charging, or contracting for assistance with veterans’ benefits claims unless they are federally authorized to do so. This affirms that only accredited representatives may legally provide such services. 

“It’s been a long road, but Senate Bill 694 will finally provide a framework to protect our veterans from being defrauded when seeking assistance to apply for the benefits they deserve from the VA,” Senator Cervantes said. I want to thank Senator Archuleta for his hard work on this important issue, and Governor Newsom for signing SB 694 into law.”

The VA accreditation program exists to ensure that veterans receive competent and fair representation on their VA benefits claims. In addition to CVSO and nonprofit VSOs, which provide assistance free of charge, the VA also accredits attorneys and claims agents to represent veterans and assist with benefit claims.

“Protecting veterans is not optional,” Senator Archuleta said. “It is our responsibility.”

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Senator Bob Archuleta currently represents the 30th Senate District, which includes portions of Los Angeles County and Orange County. He is the Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs, and a member of the following Standing Senate Committees: Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee, Government Organization Committee, Transportation Committee, as well as the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management. Senator Archuleta also sits on the Senate Special Committee on International Sporting Events: Olympics and World Cup Soccer. Website of Senator Bob Archuleta: https://sd30.senate.ca.gov/