LANSING, Mich. (June 3, 2025) — Today, in a show of support for veterans, the Michigan Senate unanimously passed three bills aimed at improving the lives of Michigan’s retired service members.
Senate Bill 215, sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), strengthens protections for veterans and their families seeking benefits. Senate Bills 207 and 208, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) and Roger Hauck (R-Mount Pleasant), create and fund the Michigan Veterans Coalition Grant Program to improve veterans’ access to the benefits they’ve earned.
Strengthening Protections for Our Veterans — Senate Bill 215 (Santana)
Senate Bill 215 will help ensure Michigan veterans and their families are treated fairly, get trustworthy advice, and aren’t charged excessive fees or exposed to security risks when seeking the benefits they deserve.
“Our veterans have put their lives on the line — many of them have been to hell and back. The very least they deserve is the ability to access the benefits they were promised without fear of being scammed,” said Sen. Santana. “My legislation will strengthen existing protections for our veterans and their families, ensuring they can navigate the benefits system with greater security, accountability, and trust in the process.”
Currently, only individuals who work for select government agencies or are certified under federal law can represent veterans before the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs in benefits claims. Sen. Santana’s bill aims to establish clear regulations, allowing uncertified individuals to help veterans, but only in ways that do not involve representing them as agents or lawyers.
This bipartisan legislation also introduces new requirements for service providers who wish to get paid for helping veterans or their families with benefits. Some of the new requirements include:
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Payments must be outlined in a written agreement signed by both parties;
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No international call centers can process veterans’ personal information;
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Veterans’ login details cannot be used to access their medical or financial information; and
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Anyone accessing veterans’ medical or financial data must pass a background check, including ID verification and a criminal record check.
According to an article published by AARP, the military community lost $477 million to scams in 2023, marking a $63 million increase compared to 2022. The article also noted that imposter scams, where criminals pretend to be someone else, remain the most frequent type of fraud targeting military members. In 2023, these scams cost them $178 million — an increase of $13.5 million from 2022.
Veterans, military members, and their families are nearly 40% more likely to fall victim to scams compared to civilians. Additionally, 80% of — or four out of five — military and veteran adults have been targeted by scams related to their service or benefits.
Helping Support Michigan’s Veterans — Senate Bills 207 & 208 (Hertel & Hauck)
Senate Bills 207 and 208 will support organizations that provide benefit services to Michigan veterans.
“Those who have worn the uniform of our nation’s armed forces with courage and conviction deserve more than our gratitude — they deserve our fullest support when they return home,” said Sen. Hertel, chair of the Senate Military, Veterans, and State Police Appropriations Subcommittee. “Meeting the full spectrum of our veterans’ needs takes a coordinated, all-hands-on-deck approach — one where nonprofits and community-based organizations are treated as vital partners. This legislation will fulfill that vision to ensure veteran service organizations have the tools and resources necessary to connect more veterans with the benefits they’ve earned and deserve.”
Specifically, Sen. Hertel’s Senate Bill 207 would create the Michigan Veterans Coalition Fund. This fund would be used to finance the Michigan Veterans Coalition Grant Program created by Sen. Hauck’s Senate Bill 208.
Under this package of bills, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency would work with the Michigan Veterans Coalition to create the grant program. This program will help organizations cover their costs related to supporting veterans, including assisting veterans in accessing federal VA health benefits, financial assistance, memorial benefits, and other related services. These changes will help veteran organizations deliver services, ensuring Michigan’s veterans receive the benefits they rightfully deserve.
The Michigan Veterans Coalition consists of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam Veterans of America, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Senate Democrats have continuously championed legislation to support Michigan’s veterans, including lowering costs for families of disabled veterans, expanding tuition assistance for military spouses and dependents, investments in support for suicide prevention programs, and more.
All three bills now move to the House for further consideration.