Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Tennessee General Assembly, fetched 2026-09-25. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. This is the chaptered version. The official bill page.
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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 223
SENATE BILL NO. 362
By Briggs, Hatcher, Johnson, Gardenhire, Jackson, Massey, Watson, Akbari, Bowling
Substituted for: House Bill No. 342
By Moon, Lamberth, Garrett, Faison, Scarbrough, Camper, Glynn, Wright, Hardaway, Davis,
Parkinson, Chism, Reedy, McCalmon, Terry, Capley, Eldridge, Love, Cepicky, Stinnett, Harris
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47 and Title 58, relative to veteran benefits.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "Safeguarding American Veteran
Empowerment (SAVE) Act."
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 3, Part 1, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
58-3-115.
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Compensation" means any money, thing of value, or economic benefit
conferred on, or received by, any person in return for services rendered, or to be
rendered, by that person or another;
(2) "Person" means an individual or a legal entity; and
(3) "Veteran benefit matter" means the preparation, presentation, or
prosecution of a claim affecting a person who has filed or expressed an intent to file a
claim for a benefit, program, service, commodity, function, status, or entitlement for
which a veteran, a dependent or survivor of the veteran, or another individual is eligible
under the laws and rules administered by the United States department of veterans
affairs or the Tennessee department of veterans services.
(b)(1) A person shall not receive compensation for referring an individual to a person
to advise or assist the individual with a veteran. benefit matter.
(2) A person shall not receive compensation for a service rendered in
connection with a claim filed within the one (1) year of a veteran's presumptive period
of active-duty release, unless the veteran acknowledges by signing a waiver that the
veteran is within such period and choosing to deny free services that are available to
the veteran.
(3) A person who seeks to receive compensation for advising, assisting, or
consulting with an individual in connection with a veteran benefit matter must, before
rendering any services, memorialize the specific terms under which the amount to be
paid will be determined in a written agreement signed by both parties. Compensation
must be contingent solely upon an increase in benefits awarded, and if successful,
compensation must not exceed five (5) times the amount of the monthly increase in
benefits awarded based on the claim. A person shall not charge an initial or
nonrefundable fee for advising, assisting, or consulting with an individual on a veteran
benefit matter.
SB362
(4) A person shall not guarantee, either directly or by implication, a successful
outcome or that an individual is certain to receive specific veteran benefits or a
specific level, percentage, or amount of veteran benefits.
(5)(A) A person advising, assisting, or consulting on veteran benefit matters
for compensation shall provide to each prospective veteran benefit matter
client the following disclosure, in accordance with subdivision (b)(5)(8), at the
outset of the business relationship, prior to entering into a written agreement
as described in subdivision (b)(3):
"This business is not sponsored by, or affiliated with, the United
States Department of Veterans Affairs or the Tennessee Department
of Veterans Services, or any other federally chartered veterans'
service organization. Other organizations, including, but not limited to,
the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, a local veterans'
service organization, and other federally chartered veterans' service
organizations may be able to provide you with this service free of
charge. Products or services offered by this business are not
necessarily endorsed by any of these organizations. You may qualify
for other veterans' benefits beyond the benefits for which you are
receiving services here."
(B) The written disclosure must appear in at least twelve-point font in a
conspicuous, easily identifiable place in the person's agreement with the
individual seeking services. The individual must sign· the document in which
the written disclosure appears to represent understanding of the provisions.
The person offering services must retain a copy of the written disclosure while
providing veterans' benefits services for compensation to the individual and for
at least one (1) year after the date on which the service relationship
terminates.
(6) A business that advises, assists, or consults on veteran benefit matters for
compensation shall:
(A) Not utilize international call centers or data centers to process a
veteran's personal information;
(B) Not use a veteran's personal log-in, username, or password
information to access the veteran's medical, financial, or government benefits
information; and
(C) Ensure that any individual who has access to a veteran's medical
or financial information undergoes a background check prior to having access
to such information. The background check must be conducted by a reputable
source and include identity verification and a criminal record check.
(c)(1) A violation of this section constitutes a violation of the Tennessee Consumer
Protection Act of 1977, compiled in title 47, chapter 18, part 1. A violation of this
section constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice affecting trade or commerce
and is subject to the penalties and remedies as provided in the Tennessee Consumer
Protection Act of 1977, in addition to the penalties and remedies in this part.
(2) Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate violation.
(3) Funds collected as penalties for a violation of this section must be paid to
the general fund of the state.
(d)(1) This section does not apply to, limit, or expand the requirements imposed on
agents, attorneys, or other representatives accredited by the United States
Department of Veterans Affa.irs and regul~ted by that agency.
(2) This section does not ·apply to _public or nonprofit institutions of higher
education in this state or any person receiving compensation fro'm •such institutions
for advising, assisting, or consulting on veterans' benefits matters in the scope of the
person's employment.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Cod~ Annotated, Section 47-18-104(b), is amended by adding the
following new subdivision: •
(68) Violating § 58-3-115;
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SB 362
SECTION 4. The headings in this act are for reference purposes only and do not constitute a
part of the law enacted by this act. However, the Tennessee Code Commission is requested to
include the headings in any compilation or publication containing this act.
SECTION 5. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it, and applies to
actions occurring and agreements entered into on or after that date.
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SENATE BILL NO. 362
PASSED: April 7, 2025
n ~ ~ -4. ... ~.~,'-',..
.....' ...-. - RANDY McN~~LY
SPEAKER OF THE SENATE
CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2\-s" APPROVED this day of Apr( I 2025
'-~
BILL LEE, GOVERNOREvery fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.