South Carolina legislation · 126th General Assembly
South Carolina S695: Unauthorized Fees for Claim Assistance
Status: Signed into law, June 2, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the south carolina code of laws so as to enact the "south carolina safeguarding american veterans' benefits act"; and by adding article 8 to chapter 11, title 25, so as to provide definitions, set guidelines and limits for compensation, memorialize terms, and state penalties for noncompliance. amend title to conform b e it enacted by the general assembly of the state of south carolina: s ection 1. this act may be cited as the "south carolina safeguarding american veterans' benefits act". s ection 2. c hapter 11, title 25 of the s.c. code is amended by adding: article 8 s ection.
From the amended text, May 8, 2026:
A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS SO AS TO ENACT THE "SOUTH CAROLINA SAFEGUARDING AMERICAN VETERANS' BENEFITS ACT"; AND BY ADDING ARTICLE 8 TO CHAPTER 11, TITLE 25, SO AS TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS, SET GUIDELINES AND LIMITS FOR COMPENSATION, MEMORIALIZE TERMS, AND STATE PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE. Amend Title To Conform B e it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina: S ECTION 1. This act may be cited as the "South Carolina Safeguarding American Veterans' Benefits Act". S ECTION 2. C hapter 11, Title 25 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding: Article 8 S ection 25-11-810. F or the purposes of this article: ( 1) "Claim" means any application for any benefits administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the United States Department of Defense, or the United States Department of Homeland Security, and includes any associated appeals regarding such benefits. ( 2) "Compensation" means payment of money, a thing of value, or a financial benefit. ( 3) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, public corporation, government, governmental subdivision, agency, instrumentality, or any other legal or commercial entity. ( 4) "Veterans' benefits matter" means the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a claim affecting an individual who has filed …