Attorney General, VSOs and Consultants Debate Bill to Curb Predatory 'Claims' Providers

The committee heard testimony supporting Raised Bill 6909, which would incorporate federal prohibitions on charging veterans for assistance with initial VA claims into Connecticut law and make violations an unfair trade practice under CUTPA, enforceable by the state Attorney General.

Assistant Attorney General Joe Gasser told the committee the bill "makes it a violation of CUTPA to violate those federal provisions, allowing the state to step in and fill the enforcement gap." He said the federal statute and regulations already prohibit charging for initial claim preparation unless an agent or attorney is properly accredited, but that federal rules lack a statewide enforcement mechanism.

Committee members probed practical effects. Representative Vail and others asked whether the bill would bar legitimate fee‑based assistance and whether some private consultants (described during testimony as offering valuable help) would be swept up. "It's certainly possible there are entities who are not accredited," Gasser said, but he emphasized the bill mirrors federal prohibitions while adding disclosure requirements and enforcement.

Several veteran service organizations (VSOs) including the American Legion urged robust enforcement and outreach to accredited VSOs; Kaye Robert Lewis (American Legion) said veterans who are charged for services that should be free are being harmed and encouraged stronger, actionable penalties. Private claims consultants such as Mark Christiansen of Veterans Guardian defended their contingency and fee models as necessary where VSO capacity is limited and asked lawmakers to narrowly target bad practices rather than broadly prohibit paid assistance.

The Attorney General’s office and advocates agreed on one area of consensus: the state must distinguish accredited agents and attorneys from unaccredited commercial actors. Witnesses suggested drafting clarifications about accreditation and disclosure so veterans know when free accredited services are available.

The committee did not vote; members signaled they will attempt drafting amendments to preserve enforcement against predatory actors while clarifying that accredited representatives and legitimate services remain available.