REFERENCE TITLE: veterans' benefits; claims; prohibition

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-sixth Legislature

Second Regular Session

2024

 

 

 

SB 1308

 

Introduced by

Senators Rogers: Kern, Wadsack

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Act

 

amending title 41, chapter 3, article 7, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 41-610.03; relating to the department of veterans' services.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 41, chapter 3, article 7, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 41-610.03, to read:

START_STATUTE41-610.03. Veterans' benefits; claims; prohibition; definition

A. A person may not receive compensation for any of the following:

1. Preparing, presenting or prosecuting a claim for an individual regarding a veterans' benefits matter before the department of veterans' services or the United States department of veterans affairs.

2. Advising, consulting or assisting an individual regarding a veterans' benefits matter before the department of veterans' services or the United States department of veterans affairs.

3. Referring an individual to another person to prepare, present or prosecute a claim or to advise, consult or assist an individual with a veterans' benefits matter before the department of veterans' services or the United States department of veterans affairs.

B. This section does not prohibit a division of fees between attorneys that is otherwise proper pursuant to the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Arizona supreme court.

C. A person who violates this section shall be held to the same ethical standards to which an attorney is held pursuant to the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Arizona supreme court regarding the following:

1. Advertising.

2. Solicitation of new clients.

3. Confidentiality.

4. Duty of care.

5. Duty of honesty.

6. Duty to zealously pursue what is in the best interest of the attorney's client.

D. For the purposes of this section, "veterans' benefits matter" means any benefit, program, service, commodity, function or status the entitlement to which is determined by the department of veterans' services or the United States department of veterans affairs pertaining to veterans, their dependents, their survivors and any other individual eligible for such benefits. END_STATUTE