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S 5274 117th Congress Senate Armed Forces and National Security

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the…

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A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Introduced: December 15, 2022 Introduced by: Durbin, Richard J. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 117th Congress ended
It never became law before the 117th Congress (2021–2022) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 15, 2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR S7254-7259)
Dec 15, 2022
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill limits attorneys' fees for claims involving individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.

Further, the bill requires an attorney representing an individual for such a claim to disburse the funds of any judgment or award to that individual before collecting any compensation for services rendered.

The bill also establishes certain penalties for (1) a person who solicits, contracts, charges, receives, or attempts such actions with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a veterans benefits claim; and (2) any legal representative who charges, demands, receives, or collects for services rendered in connection with certain tort claims or certain claims related to Camp Lejeune.

What's happening now December 15, 2022

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR S7254-7259)

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 5274: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.. 117th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-5274/
MLA
"S. 5274: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.." 117th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-5274/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 5274, 117th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-5274/.
Markdown link
[S. 5274: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees relating to claims for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/117-S-5274/)
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