Bill Text: FL S1424 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced


Bill Title: Veterans Affairs

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2012-03-09 - Died in Military Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security [S1424 Detail]

Download: Florida-2012-S1424-Introduced.html
       Florida Senate - 2012                                    SB 1424
       
       
       
       By Senator Sobel
       
       
       
       
       31-01313-12                                           20121424__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to veterans affairs; creating s.
    3         295.189, F.S.; providing a short title; creating the
    4         “Veterans Protection Act”; providing definitions;
    5         prohibiting a person from acting as a representative,
    6         agent, or attorney in the preparation, presentation,
    7         or prosecution of any claim on behalf of a veteran of
    8         the United States Armed Forces under any law
    9         administered by the United States Department of
   10         Veterans Affairs unless such person has been issued
   11         proper credentials or accredited for such purposes;
   12         prohibiting a person from soliciting, contracting for,
   13         charging, or receiving any fee or compensation in the
   14         preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim
   15         on behalf of a veteran of the United States Armed
   16         Forces under any law administered by the United States
   17         Department of Veterans Affairs without proper
   18         credentials or accreditation; prohibiting failure to
   19         abide by any provision of an assurance of voluntary
   20         compliance entered into under the act; providing
   21         powers and duties of the Department of Veterans’
   22         Affairs; providing enforcement powers; requiring the
   23         department to adopt rules establishing civil
   24         penalties; providing that a notice of violation issued
   25         under the act shall provide the respondent with a
   26         reasonable time in which to enter into an assurance of
   27         voluntary compliance with the department and pay
   28         amounts required under the assurance of voluntary
   29         compliance; providing procedures and requirements with
   30         respect to assurances of voluntary compliance;
   31         providing for issuance of a notice of violation by a
   32         department investigator; providing procedures and
   33         requirements with respect to notices of violation;
   34         providing that respondents to a notice of violation
   35         may request a hearing before a hearing officer to
   36         contest the violation and any penalties imposed;
   37         providing procedures and requirements with respect to
   38         such hearings; requiring the department to adopt rules
   39         for the selection, appointment, and duties of hearing
   40         officers and for procedures with respect to hearings
   41         on violations; providing that the department or a
   42         respondent may appeal an order of a hearing officer;
   43         providing a penalty for violation of the act;
   44         providing construction with respect to federal law;
   45         specifying controlling provisions with respect to
   46         conflicts between the act and federal law; providing
   47         for severability; providing an effective date.
   48  
   49         WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that veterans
   50  throughout the state have served their country and community
   51  selflessly, without regard to personal safety, and
   52         WHEREAS, the Legislature further recognizes that there is
   53  an increased prevalence of individuals who engage in
   54  unscrupulous conduct with respect to veterans, particularly
   55  senior veterans, by assisting them in connection with filing
   56  claims with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
   57  without possessing the required accreditation or credentials
   58  from the department, or by charging fees to veterans for filing
   59  their claims in violation of applicable federal law, and
   60         WHEREAS, currently, federal law does not provide a civil or
   61  criminal enforcement remedy against those individuals who
   62  violate federal law in this manner, and
   63         WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that this type of
   64  unscrupulous conduct has negative consequences for Florida’s
   65  veterans and their spouses and family members in that it
   66  undermines the system of federal benefits to which veterans are
   67  entitled and upon which many rely, and
   68         WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes the need to protect the
   69  residents of our state from these unscrupulous practices, and
   70         WHEREAS, the Legislature recognizes that the public health,
   71  safety, and welfare of the state will best be served by enacting
   72  a Veterans Protection Act that provides penalties for persons
   73  who violate federal law by assisting veterans who are claiming
   74  benefits without possessing proper accreditation or credentials
   75  from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and who
   76  charge fees for providing assistance with the filing of claims
   77  for veterans in violation of federal law, NOW, THEREFORE,
   78  
   79  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   80  
   81         Section 1. Section 295.189, Florida Statutes, is created to
   82  read:
   83         295.189 Veterans Protection Act.—
   84         (1) SHORT TITLE.—This section may be cited as the “Veterans
   85  Protection Act.”
   86         (2) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
   87         (a) “Authorized person” means a person who has been
   88  authorized by the Secretary of the United States Department of
   89  Veterans Affairs pursuant to 38 U.S.C. s. 5902, s. 5903, or s.
   90  5904, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, to act as a
   91  representative, agent, or attorney in the preparation,
   92  presentation, or prosecution of any claim under any law
   93  administered by the secretary.
   94         (b) “Assurance of voluntary compliance” means a written
   95  agreement between the department and a respondent, entered into
   96  willingly by each party with the assistance, supervision, or
   97  oversight of an investigator, as provided for in subsection (5).
   98         (c) “Complainant” means any individual, regardless of
   99  whether he or she is a veteran, who witnesses or who is
  100  subjected to an unlawful practice or conduct in violation of
  101  this section and who files a written complaint with the
  102  department stating the name and address, if known, of the person
  103  or persons alleged to have committed the violation complained of
  104  and the particulars thereof, and such other information as may
  105  be requested by the department.
  106         (d) “Department” means the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
  107         (e) “Hearing procedures” means the procedures adopted by
  108  the department governing noticing, scheduling, and conducting
  109  hearings of violations of this section before a hearing officer.
  110         (f) “Hearing officer” means the individual or individuals
  111  appointed pursuant to subsection (7) to fulfill the duties of
  112  hearing officers under this section.
  113         (g) “Investigator” means a person performing services in an
  114  official capacity for the department.
  115         (h) “Notice of violation” means a written notice of an
  116  alleged violation of this section issued to a respondent by an
  117  investigator, as described in subsection (6).
  118         (i) “Person or persons” means any individual, including a
  119  minor child, firm, association, joint venture, partnership,
  120  estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, fiduciary,
  121  corporation, and any other groups or combination thereof.
  122         (j) “Repeat violation” means any violation of this section
  123  by a respondent committed within 5 years after:
  124         1. The respondent has entered into an assurance of
  125  voluntary compliance with respect to a violation of any
  126  provision of this section;
  127         2. The respondent has been found by a hearing officer to
  128  have violated any provision of this section;
  129         3. The respondent has been convicted of, or pled guilty or
  130  nolo contendere to, a violation of any provision of this section
  131  in a criminal court;
  132         4. The respondent has admitted violating any provision of
  133  this section; or
  134         5. A failure by a respondent to abide by any provision of
  135  an assurance of voluntary compliance entered into by the
  136  respondent.
  137         (k) “Respondent” means any person the department reasonably
  138  believes upon investigation to have violated this section.
  139         (l) “Secretary” means the Secretary of the United States
  140  Department of Veterans Affairs.
  141         (3) PROHIBITED CONDUCT.—
  142         (a) A person may not:
  143         1. Act as a representative, agent, or attorney in the
  144  preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim on behalf
  145  of a veteran of the United States Armed Forces under any law
  146  administered by the secretary unless such person has been issued
  147  proper credentials or accredited for such purposes by the
  148  secretary pursuant to 38 U.S.C. s. 5902, s. 5903, or s. 5904 and
  149  the regulations promulgated thereunder.
  150         2. Directly or indirectly solicit, contract for, charge, or
  151  receive, or attempt to solicit, contract for, charge, or
  152  receive, any fee or compensation in the preparation,
  153  presentation, or prosecution of any claim on behalf of a veteran
  154  of the United States Armed Forces, under any law administered by
  155  the secretary, unless:
  156         a. Such person possesses proper credentials under, or has
  157  been accredited for such purposes pursuant to, 38 U.S.C. s. 5904
  158  and the regulations promulgated thereunder; and
  159         b. Any such charge, fee, or compensation is permitted by 38
  160  U.S.C. s. 5904 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
  161         3. Fail to abide by any provision of an assurance of
  162  voluntary compliance entered into under this section by such
  163  person.
  164         (b) If the respondent fails to abide by more than one
  165  provision of an assurance of voluntary compliance, each failure
  166  constitutes a separate violation of this section.
  167         (c) A repeat violation of this section by a respondent
  168  constitutes evidence of a continued pattern of illegal activity
  169  by a respondent and is deemed to be a serious threat to public
  170  safety and welfare.
  171         (4) POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT; ENFORCEMENT
  172  POWERS.—
  173         (a) Any person who witnesses or is subjected to an unlawful
  174  practice or conduct in violation of this section may file a
  175  written complaint with the department stating the name and
  176  address, if known, of the person alleged to have committed the
  177  violation complained of and the particulars thereof, and such
  178  other information as may be required by the department.
  179         (b) The department shall evaluate received complaints of
  180  violations of this section, investigate such complaints, and
  181  take such action as it deems appropriate with respect thereto,
  182  as provided for in this section.
  183         (c) The department may initiate an investigation into any
  184  suspected violation of this section and, when warranted, take
  185  such action as it deems appropriate with respect thereto, as
  186  provided in this section.
  187         (d) If upon investigation the department determines that
  188  there is reasonable cause to believe that a person who is not an
  189  authorized person has committed one or more violations of this
  190  section, the department may take one or more of the following
  191  actions:
  192         1. Issue a notice of violation to the respondent.
  193         2. Attempt to conciliate the matter through conferences
  194  with all interested parties and such representatives as the
  195  parties may choose to assist them.
  196         3. Negotiate and enter into an assurance of voluntary
  197  compliance with a respondent in accordance with subsection (5),
  198  and impose the civil penalty provided therein, if applicable.
  199         4. Utilize county, state, and federal agencies in an effort
  200  to resolve complaints filed under this section.
  201         5. Request a hearing before a hearing officer and prepare
  202  and present cases involving violations of this section to a
  203  hearing officer.
  204         6. Request a hearing officer to issue subpoenas in
  205  accordance with the hearing procedures.
  206         7. Seek injunctive relief or other relief as a means of
  207  enforcing this section, which may include, but is not limited
  208  to:
  209         a. A cease and desist order prohibiting the respondent from
  210  engaging in conduct in violation of this section.
  211         b. An order requiring compliance with the order of a
  212  hearing officer.
  213         c. Investigative costs, attorney fees, and restitution on
  214  behalf of the aggrieved complainant.
  215         8. Refer the matter to appropriate federal agencies for
  216  criminal prosecution or administrative action and file such
  217  criminal or administrative complaints with federal agencies as
  218  may be required.
  219         (e) If upon investigation the department determines that
  220  the person who allegedly violated this section is an authorized
  221  person, then:
  222         1. If the alleged violation is of subparagraph (3)(a)1. or
  223  subparagraph (3)(a)2., the department shall refer the matter to
  224  the United States Department of Veterans Affairs; or
  225         2. If the alleged violation is of subparagraph (3)(a)3.,
  226  the department may take any enforcement action provided in
  227  paragraph (d), if the department determines there is reasonable
  228  cause to believe such violation has occurred.
  229         (f) The department shall adopt rules establishing civil
  230  penalties to be imposed under this section.
  231         (5) ASSURANCE OF VOLUNTARY COMPLIANCE.—
  232         (a) A notice of violation issued to a respondent shall
  233  provide the respondent with a reasonable time, not to exceed 30
  234  days, to enter into an assurance of voluntary compliance with
  235  the department and pay all amounts required therein, if the
  236  violation cited in the notice of violation is not a repeat
  237  violation. A notice of violation issued to a respondent for a
  238  repeat violation may also provide the respondent with a
  239  reasonable time, not to exceed 30 days, to enter into an
  240  assurance of voluntary compliance with the department and pay
  241  all amounts required therein, including, but not limited to, the
  242  amount of the civil penalty imposed therein by the department.
  243  Pursuant to the terms of an assurance of voluntary compliance,
  244  the respondent shall agree, among other things, to immediately
  245  cease and desist from committing any current or future
  246  violations of this section.
  247         (b) An assurance of voluntary compliance shall be executed
  248  by:
  249         1. The individual, if the respondent is an individual.
  250         2. The owner of a sole proprietorship, if the respondent is
  251  a sole proprietorship.
  252         3. A general partner of the partnership, or the president,
  253  vice president, or chief executive officer of the corporation,
  254  if the respondent is a partnership or corporation.
  255         4. A person who has signature authority to bind the entity
  256  if the respondent is a form of entity other than an entity
  257  described in subparagraph 2. or subparagraph 3.
  258         (c) If upon investigation the agency determines that a
  259  violation of subparagraph (3)(a)2. has occurred, any assurance
  260  of voluntary compliance must require the respondent to repay all
  261  such fees or compensation received or charged by the respondent
  262  to the party who has paid such fees or compensation. The
  263  respondent shall make repayment by certified check or cashier’s
  264  check and the check must be delivered to the agency along with
  265  the assurance of voluntary compliance signed by or on behalf of
  266  the respondent.
  267         (d) If within the time period provided in the notice of
  268  violation a respondent fails to enter into an assurance of
  269  voluntary compliance and pay all amounts and penalties required
  270  to be paid within the time period stated therein, the department
  271  may seek a hearing on the violation before a hearing officer, or
  272  may take any action provided in paragraph (4)(d).
  273         (e) If the respondent violates any terms of an assurance of
  274  voluntary compliance, including, but not limited to, any
  275  repayment or payment requirement included therein, the
  276  underlying violation shall be deemed to be uncorrected and
  277  continuing and the violation of the assurance of voluntary
  278  compliance shall be deemed to be a repeat violation of this
  279  section. The department may request a hearing before the hearing
  280  officer on both the underlying violation and the violation of
  281  the assurance of voluntary compliance.
  282         (f) The department may, at its discretion, enter into an
  283  assurance of voluntary compliance with the respondent at any
  284  time prior to the commencement of a hearing on the violations
  285  cited in the notice of violation. The penalty, if any, imposed
  286  in the assurance of voluntary compliance shall be as provided by
  287  rule of the department pursuant to subsection (4). After a
  288  hearing has commenced on the violation cited in a notice of
  289  violation, the department and the respondent may enter into an
  290  assurance of voluntary compliance, provided it is approved by
  291  the hearing officer.
  292         (6) NOTICE OF VIOLATION AND REQUEST FOR HEARING.—
  293         (a) An investigator who has reasonable cause to believe
  294  that a respondent has violated this section may issue the
  295  respondent a notice of violation in accordance with subsection
  296  (4).
  297         (b) If the violation cited in a notice of violation is not
  298  a repeat violation, the notice shall include a reasonable time,
  299  not to exceed 30 days, for the respondent to enter into an
  300  assurance of voluntary compliance and pay all amounts required
  301  therein as provided in subsection (5).
  302         (c) If the agency issues a notice of violation for a repeat
  303  violation, the notice may include a reasonable time, not to
  304  exceed 30 days, for the respondent to enter into an assurance of
  305  voluntary compliance and pay all required amounts, including,
  306  but not limited to, the stated civil penalty imposed therein. If
  307  the notice of violation cites a repeat violation of this section
  308  but does not provide the respondent with an opportunity to enter
  309  into an assurance of voluntary compliance, then the notice of
  310  violation shall include a statement that the department is
  311  seeking a hearing before a hearing officer on the violations
  312  cited in the notice.
  313         (d) Each notice of violation issued shall state the
  314  following:
  315         1. The name and business or personal address of the
  316  respondent.
  317         2. The location of the offense.
  318         3. The date and approximate time the violation was
  319  committed.
  320         4. The date and time of issuance of the notice.
  321         5. The facts constituting reasonable cause for the
  322  violation.
  323         6. Citation to the specific provisions of the section
  324  violated.
  325         7. The name and title of the investigator issuing the
  326  notice.
  327         8. The period of time available to the respondent to enter
  328  into an assurance of voluntary compliance, if applicable, and
  329  pay all amounts required therein, including, but not limited to,
  330  any civil penalty imposed.
  331         9. A statement, if applicable, that if the respondent fails
  332  to enter into an assurance of voluntary compliance and make such
  333  payments within the stated time period, the department may
  334  request a hearing before a hearing officer on the violation
  335  cited in the notice of violation.
  336         10. The maximum amount of the civil penalty which may be
  337  imposed by the hearing officer, if the department or the
  338  respondent seeks a hearing on the matter before a hearing
  339  officer and the agency prevails at the hearing.
  340         (e) Each notice of violation shall include a statement that
  341  the respondent may request a hearing before a hearing officer to
  342  contest the violation cited therein and any penalties imposed by
  343  the notice of violation by filing a written request for such
  344  hearing with the department within 15 calendar days after the
  345  date of delivery of the notice. A written copy of the procedures
  346  a respondent must follow to request such a hearing shall be
  347  included with the notice of violation.
  348         (f) Each notice of violation shall contain a statement that
  349  if either the department or the respondent requests a hearing on
  350  the violation cited in the notice and the respondent fails to
  351  timely appear before the hearing officer, the respondent is
  352  deemed to have waived his or her right to contest the violation
  353  cited in the notice and a judgment may be entered against the
  354  respondent for up to the maximum amount of the civil penalty
  355  allowed.
  356         (g) If a respondent refuses to accept a notice of
  357  violation, the department may take any action provided under
  358  subsection (4), including, but not limited to, proceeding to a
  359  hearing on the violations cited in the notice of violation. If
  360  the department proceeds to a hearing on the matter, the
  361  following shall apply:
  362         1. The respondent shall be deemed to have waived his or her
  363  right to contest the violation cited in the notice of violation;
  364  and
  365         2. A judgment may be entered against the respondent by the
  366  hearing officer on the violation cited in the notice of
  367  violation, up to the maximum amount of the civil penalty
  368  allowed.
  369         (h) Multiple violations of this section may be cited within
  370  a single notice of violation form.
  371         (i) Service of a notice of violation to a respondent shall
  372  be in writing and shall be sent in accordance with the hearing
  373  procedures.
  374         (j) This section may not be deemed to require the
  375  department to issue a respondent a notice of violation prior to
  376  referring the matter to the appropriate federal or state agency
  377  for criminal prosecution or administrative action or filing such
  378  criminal or administrative complaints with state or federal
  379  agencies as may be required.
  380         (7) APPOINTMENT OF HEARING OFFICERS.—The department shall
  381  adopt rules for the selection, appointment, and duties of
  382  hearing officers who shall have jurisdiction to conduct hearings
  383  on violations of this section.
  384         (8) HEARINGS.—
  385         (a) The department shall adopt rules for procedures of
  386  hearings on violations of this section, which shall include, but
  387  are not limited to, rules governing the scheduling, notice, and
  388  conduct of such hearings.
  389         (b) The notice of violation shall serve as the department’s
  390  complaint in a hearing before a hearing officer on a violation
  391  of this section.
  392         (c) The department may not change or amend an order of the
  393  hearing officer.
  394         (d) If a respondent fails to abide by an order issued by a
  395  hearing officer, the department may seek enforcement of the
  396  order in the circuit court.
  397         (9) APPEALS.—Either the department or a respondent may
  398  appeal an order of the hearing officer to the circuit court
  399  within 30 days following the issuance of the order. The
  400  responsibility for, and the costs associated with, preserving a
  401  written record of the hearing for appeal and providing such
  402  written record to the circuit court shall rest with the party
  403  appealing the order.
  404         (10) CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS; PENALTIES.—A violation of this
  405  section is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable by a
  406  term of imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not
  407  exceeding $500, or both.
  408         (11) OTHER RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.—This section does not
  409  prevent any person from exercising any right or seeking any
  410  private remedy or redress to which one might otherwise be
  411  entitled, or from filing any complaint with any other agency.
  412         (12) COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL LAW.—This section may not be
  413  construed to exempt or limit compliance by any person with
  414  federal laws, rules, and regulations related to veterans.
  415  Violation of such laws, rules, and regulations may be prosecuted
  416  as applicable.
  417         (13) CONFLICT OF LAWS.—In all instances where federal law
  418  mandates standards or requirements that are stricter than the
  419  provisions of this section, or where a matter is addressed by
  420  federal law that is not addressed by this section, then federal
  421  law shall govern. In situations where this section addresses a
  422  matter in a manner that is more stringent than that of federal
  423  law, the provisions of this section shall control.
  424         (14) SEVERABILITY.—If any provision of this section or its
  425  application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
  426  invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of
  427  the section which can be given effect without the invalid
  428  provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this
  429  section are severable.
  430         Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.

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