House OKs bill to strengthen AG's power against military benefits scammers

The House passed a bill Wednesday intended to crack down on scamming veterans or their loved ones out of pay and benefits, which is already illegal under federal law.

HF368/SF327* would give the state attorney general more power to seek out and charge individuals attempting to shift the military benefits. It would also preempt and prohibit individuals from just attempting to assign military benefits to anyone not allowed to collect them.

Sponsored by Rep. Matt Bliss (R-Pennington) and Sen. Bruce Anderson (R-Buffalo), the bill was passed 128-0 and heads to the governor’s desk. The Senate passed it 64-0 May 7.

Bliss said the attorney general’s office has already brought action in about 100 cases in Minnesota.

The bill would allow beneficiaries to sue and recover for damages “in addition to any other remedies available under the law.”