AB145

Existing federal law prohibits a person from acting as an agent or attorney in the preparation, presentation or prosecution of certain claims relating to benefits provided to veterans and certain family members of veterans, unless the person has been recognized or accredited by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (38 U.S.C. § 5901; 38 C.F.R. § 14.629(b)) Section 1 of this bill prohibits a person from preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting or assisting any other person with a claim before the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Department of Defense or the Nevada Department of Veterans Services in violation of federal law, unless the person has received such recognition or accreditation. Additionally, section 1 provides that this prohibition does not: (1) prohibit a person from performing such actions, provided that the person does not request or accept any payment or donation; and (2) apply to the extent preempted by federal law. Section 2 of this bill makes the civil penalty for a violation of existing law governing services for veterans' benefits apply to a person who violates section 1. Sections 2 and 10 of this bill authorize a person who is aggrieved by a violation of section 1 to bring an action for consumer fraud. Section 11 of this bill requires the Administrator of the Division of Human Resource Management of the Department of Administration to employ a Veterans Coordinator and requires the Vet