California law protects veterans filing claims

(The Center Square) – California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday afternoon signed a new bill into law that would strengthen protections for veterans trying to access benefits and protect them from claims sharks. Senate Bill 694, which was introduced by state Sen. Bob Archuleta, D-Norwalk, would require those helping veterans file benefits claims to be federally accredited. The legislation is intended to protect former service members from being targeted by unregulated services that claim they are there to help veterans get the benefits they earned through their service. “This law ensures that we can fight the misinformation and false promises that so many of these companies make and who prey upon our veterans,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Lindsey Sin said during a press conference in which Newsom signed the bill. “All of these services are offered for free and always should be.” “These companies aggressively target veterans at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives – right a