Senator Bob Archuleta’s SB 694 Passes Senate, Cracks Down on Claim Sharks and Protects Veterans’ Earned Benefits
Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 694, authored by Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera), co-authored by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo (D-Santa Clarita) and Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D-Riverside), and co-sponsored by Attorney General Rob Bonta, has passed the California State Senate with bipartisan support and now is on the Governor’s desk for signature. The legislation strengthens protections for veterans by cracking down on deceptive and predatory practices by unaccredited individuals who exploit veterans seeking earned benefits.
As Chair of the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Army veteran, Senator Archuleta has made protecting veterans and their families a top legislative priority.
“Veterans served this nation with honor and sacrifice, and they have earned every benefit their country owes them,” Senator Archuleta said. “SB 694 ensures that veterans are protected from bad actors who prey on their service, their trust, and their benefits.”
Many veterans depend on free, trusted assistance from County Veteran Service Offices (CVSOs) and nonprofit Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). These professionals are accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, properly trained, and held to strict accountability standards. However, unaccredited individuals, often referred to as “claim sharks,” mislead veterans with false promises, charge illegal fees, pressure them into exploitative contracts, and demand sensitive federal login credentials.
“Claim sharks pose a financial risk to veterans who need help with their benefits claims,” said Attorney General Bonta. “SB 694 halts predatory individuals or companies that exploit veterans seeking help accessing their benefits. This legislation makes it crystal clear: If you want to charge veterans for help with their benefits claims, you must be accredited by the VA. California will vigorously protect those who have sacrificed so much to protect us.”
SB 694 closes loopholes by prohibiting unaccredited individuals from providing claims assistance, banning the request or use of veterans’ federal login information, and enforcing fee limits consistent with what VA-accredited attorneys and claims agents are legally allowed to charge.
“As the daughter of a disabled Vietnam veteran who relied on the VA countless times to access his benefits, and as Chair of the Assembly Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, this bill is deeply personal to me,” Assemblymember Schiavo said. “Veterans deserve to keep every dollar of the benefits they earned without being targeted by predatory claim sharks, and this legislation puts strong protections in place to stop exploitation and make sure veterans keep their hard-earned benefits. Thank you to Senator Archuleta for his leadership and partnership in getting SB 694 across the finish line.”
“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 benefits from the VA,” Senator Cervantes said, referring to the two-year bill. “I want to thank Senator Archuleta for his hard work on this important issue.”
With nearly 1.6 million veterans who have served with honor and sacrifice calling California home, SB 694 reinforces the state’s commitment to protecting those veterans from deceptive and predatory practices that threaten their earned benefits.
“California will not tolerate the exploitation of those who served our country,” Archuleta said. “This bill makes clear that protecting veterans is not optional, it is our responsibility.”
SB 694 now awaits action by the Governor.
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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/