HB398Introduced in the House of Delegates
Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; created, prohibited practices, penalties.
Introduced by Charniele Herring, District 4
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act; prohibited practices; penalties. Creates the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment Act to regulate the practices of persons seeking to receive compensation for preparing, presenting, prosecuting, advising, consulting, or assisting any individual regarding any veterans' benefits matter, as defined in the bill. The bill provides that a violation of its provisions constitutes a prohibited practice under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act. This bill is identical to SB 315.
Where it stands
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0602)
April 13, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House of Delegates votes
5 recorded votes · each counted separately
Senate votes
3 recorded votes · each counted separately
SenateStage: Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A) · March 2, 2026
40
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
40 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each senator voted
| Senator | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth Bennett-Parker | 5 | Yes |
| Michael Jones | 77 | Yes |
| Timmy French | 1 | Yes |
| Mark Obenshain | 2 | Yes |
| Chris Head | 3 | Yes |
| David Suetterlein | 4 | Yes |
| Travis Hackworth | 5 | Yes |
| Todd Pillion | 6 | Yes |
| William Stanley | 7 | Yes |
| Mark Peake | 8 | Yes |
Bill history
Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103448D
Referred to Committee on Labor and Commerce
Assigned HCL sub: Subcommittee #2
House subcommittee offered
Subcommittee recommends reporting with amendment(s) and referring to Appropriations (7-Y 0-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB398)
Reported from Labor and Commerce with amendment(s) and referred to Appropriations (22-Y 0-N)
Assigned HAPP sub: General Government and Capital Outlay
Subcommittee recommends reporting (5-Y 2-N)
Reported from Appropriations (19-Y 3-N)
Read first time
Read second time
committee amendments agreed to
Engrossed by House as amended
Read third time and passed House (88-Y 5-N 0-A)
Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
Reported from General Laws and Technology (14-Y 1-N)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB398)
Rules suspended
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (37-Y 0-N 0-A)
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
Read third time
Passed Senate (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
Enrolled
Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB398ER)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB398)
Signed by Speaker
Signed by President
Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
Approved by Governor-Chapter 602 (effective 7/1/2026)
Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0602)
Verify the information
- Official page on the Virginia Legislature website
- Labor and Commerce Amendment (amendment)
- Subcommittee #2 Subcommittee Amendment (amendment)
- Labor and Commerce Amendment (amendment)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Fiscal Note/Analysis (supplement)
- Introduced (text)
- Engrossed (text)
- Enrolled (text)
- Chaptered (text)
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