Bill sponsored by Herring advances with expanded safeguards for veterans’ benefits amid bipartisan support

A piece of legislation led by state Del. Charniele L. Herring is set to enhance consumer protections by overseeing paid services for veterans’ benefits claims and prohibiting specific practices, the Virginia State House reported.

The measure cleared both legislative chambers, being formally enrolled as of March 5, 2026. The House passed the bill with an 88-5 vote, while the Senate approved it in a 40-0 vote.

Labeled as HB398 and introduced on Jan. 14, 2026, during the regular session, the bill’s summary from the General Assembly reads: “Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; created, prohibited practices, penalties.”

The summary below is based on a review of the bill text, with clarifications where needed.

Essentially, the law adds the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act to Virginia’s consumer protection statutes. Violations are treated as unlawful practices. The Act sets guidelines for fee-based services linked to veterans’ benefit claims by prohibiting referral fees, restricting fees to situations where benefit amounts are raised, and establishing a cap at no more than five times the monthly increase in benefits, with upfront or nonrefundable charges barred. The bill stipulates a mandatory written fee agreement and a disclosure, signed by the veteran, that highlights free assistance from government or veterans groups. The act also bars guarantees of results, use of foreign call centers to handle veterans’ personal details, misuse of login credentials, access to sensitive information absent security checks, and maintains federal accreditation rules.

In the House, the vote split with 54 Democrats and 34 Republicans backing the measure, while five Democrats opposed it.

Senate approval came from 21 Democrats and all 19 Republicans present.

Del. Charniele L. Herring (Democrat-4th District) served as sole sponsor.

Herring holds a BA from George Mason University (1993) and a JD from Catholic University Columbus School of Law (1997).

Elected in 2024 to represent Virginia’s 4th House district, Herring, a Democrat, succeeded William Wampler III.

In Virginia’s legislative process, a bill may originate in either the House of Delegates or the Senate and is then referred to committee(s) for consideration and potential amendment. After committee approval, the bill advances to debate and a vote in both chambers. Passage in both sends the measure to the governor, who can sign, veto or allow it to become law without signing. The regular legislative session begins annually on the second Monday in January. Hundreds of bills are introduced each year, with only some ultimately becoming law.

Information in this article was obtained from the Virginia State House. The source data can be found here.