# Indiana SB 231: Assistance in obtaining veterans' benefits.

Indiana SB 231, Assistance in obtaining veterans' benefits., is a Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026) Senate bill sponsored by James Tomes (Republican); status failed, last action 2026-01-08 (First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB231-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Indiana SB 231
- State: Indiana
- Session: Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)
- Title: Assistance in obtaining veterans' benefits.
- Status: failed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2026-01-08
- Last action: 2026-01-08, First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military
- Sponsor: James Tomes (Republican)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Subjects: veterans affairs and the military
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Provides that a person may not receive compensation for: (1) the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of; or (2) advising, consulting, or assisting an individual regarding; a veterans' benefits matter, except as permitted under federal law. Provides that a person may not receive compensation for referring an individual to another person to provide services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not receive excessive or unreasonable fees for services related to veterans' benefits matters. Provides that a person may not condition the repayment of fees: (1) upon the opening of a joint account with the recipient of veterans' benefits from which the person may make withdrawals; (2) upon the use of electronic funds transfers; or (3) by requiring an individual to act, in any manner, in violation of federal requirements relating to preauthorized transactions. Provides that a person may not collect, or attempt to collect, any fee for services rendered after receipt of benefits by a veteran or any other individual eligible for the benefits, if the person participated in the veterans' benefits matter prior to the issuance of veterans' benefits, and if the transaction was structured with an intent to avoid prohibited acts. Provides that a person seeking to receive compensation for services related to veterans' benefits matters must, before rendering any services, enter into a written agreement that is signed by both parties and that complies with federal regulations, including all terms regarding the payment of fees for services rendered. Requires a person to provide certain disclosures when entering into a business relationship with an individual or advertising for compensation services. Provides that a violation constitutes a deceptive act under the law concerning deceptive consumer sales and senior consumer protection provisions.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: James Tomes (Republican), Senate

## Actions (2)

- 2026-01-08: First reading: referred to Committee on Veterans Affairs and The Military (Senate)
- 2026-01-08: Authored by Senator Tomes (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced Senate Bill (S): [PDF](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/SB0231/versions/SB0231.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related bills

- SB 239: Various education matters. (signed)
- SB 204: Various education matters. (signed)
- SB 179: Indiana department of transportation. (signed)
- SB 185: Alcohol and tobacco matters. (signed)
- SB 80: Code publication. (signed)
- HB 1424: Farm and homestead food sales. (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced Senate Bill (S) (PDF)](https://api.iga.in.gov/2026/bills/SB0231/versions/SB0231.01.INTR?format=pdf)

## Related
- [SB 239: Various education matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB239-2026)
- [SB 204: Various education matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB204-2026)
- [SB 179: Indiana department of transportation.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB179-2026)
- [SB 185: Alcohol and tobacco matters.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB185-2026)
- [SB 80: Code publication.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB80-2026)
- [HB 1424: Farm and homestead food sales.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-HB1424-2026)
- [Indiana bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana/bills)
- [Indiana state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/indiana)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IN-SB231-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).