1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2019”.
Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees, and for other purposes.
2. Reinstatement of penalties for charging veterans unauthorized fees
In general— Section 5905 of title 38, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
“5905. Penalty for certain acts
“Except as provided in section 5904 or 1984 of this title, whoever—
“(1) in connection with a proceeding before the Department, knowingly solicits, contracts for, charges, or receives any fee or compensation in connection for—
“(A) the provision of advice on how to file a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary; or
“(B) the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of such a claim before the date on which a notice of disagreement is filed in a proceeding on the claim;
“(2) attempts to solicit, contract, charge, or receive as described in paragraph (1);
“(3) unlawfully withholds from any claimant or beneficiary any part of a benefit or claim under the laws administered by the Secretary that is allowed and due to the claimant or beneficiary, or attempts to do so;
“(4) commits an offense punishable by this chapter, or aids, abets, counsels, commands, or procures the commission of such an act; or
“(5) causes an act to be done, which if directly performed would be punishable by this chapter,”
Effective date— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to acts committed after the date of the enactment of this Act.