Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 910 into law on June 6, 2025, marking a turning point in how Florida protects veterans from predatory practices. Known as the Safeguarding American Veteran Empowerment (SAVE) Act, this legislation targets bad actors who exploit veterans trying to get their VA benefits. For survivors dealing with claims related to military sexual trauma, understanding who can legally help you just got a lot clearer. The law took effect on June 19, 2025, and if you’re working with a Florida military sexual trauma lawyer, you’re already working with someone who meets these new standards. The timing matters. DeSantis signed the bill on the 81st anniversary of D-Day, reinforcing Florida’s commitment to the 1.5 million veterans who call the state home. That’s the third-largest veteran population in the country. Senator Jay Collins, a disabled veteran himself, championed the legislation after seeing too many veterans get taken advantage of during their most vulnerable moments.
Senate Bill 910 doesn’t mess around. It places strict requirements on anyone who wants to charge money for helping veterans with VA benefits claims. The law bans referral kickbacks outright. No more passing veterans around for a fee. It also prohibits misleading guarantees, which means nobody can promise you benefits they can’t deliver. Anyone offering paid assistance must now pass rigorous background checks before they can work with a single veteran. Here’s what changed under the new law. Advisors can’t charge upfront fees or nonrefundable retainers anymore. Payment has to be contingent on actually securing an increase in your benefits. The law caps how much these advisors can charge, preventing the kind of price gouging that’s been happening. And if someone violates these rules? They face penalties under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Why This Matters For MST Survivors
Military sexual trauma creates unique challenges when you’re seeking VA benefits. The psychological impact often includes PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other conditions that qualify for disability compensation. But getting those benefits approved requires navigating a system that doesn’t always make things easy. Some veterans have encountered unscrupulous advisors who promised quick results and charged excessive fees, only to deliver little or nothing. Others got passed around between different “consultants” who each took a cut. The SAVE Act shuts down these practices. It creates a clear line between legitimate help and exploitation. Licensed attorneys were already held to these standards. We’re bound by professional ethics rules, background requirements, and fee regulations. What the new law does is bring everyone else up to that level. If you’re seeking help for an MST-related claim, you now have better protection against predatory operators. The VA offers specific benefits for survivors of military sexual trauma:
- Disability compensation for service-connected mental health conditions
- Priority access to specialized MST counseling and treatment
- Healthcare enrollment without needing documentation of the assault
- Vocational rehabilitation services
Getting these benefits often means building a case with medical evidence, personal statements, and supporting documentation. You don’t need a police report. You don’t need proof the assault happened. What you need is a connection between your current condition and your military service.
Working With Qualified Legal Help
The new law makes it easier to identify who’s qualified to help you. Background checks weed out people with histories that should disqualify them from working with veterans. Fee caps prevent overcharging. The ban on upfront payments means you’re not risking money on empty promises. Licensed attorneys already operate under these restrictions and more. We answer to state bar associations. We carry malpractice insurance. We’re subject to attorney-client privilege protections that consultants don’t have to follow. When you work with legal counsel on your MST claim, you’re working with someone who has a professional obligation to advocate for your interests. Glover Luck LLP has always operated within these ethical boundaries. The SAVE Act simply formalizes what good legal representation has looked like all along. If you’re dealing with the aftermath of military sexual trauma and need help securing VA benefits, you deserve someone accountable to professional standards.
What Happens Next
Florida set a standard that other states are likely to follow. The National Association for Veterans Rights praised the legislation as a model for protecting veterans without expanding federal bureaucracy. Alabama passed similar legislation. Other states are watching. For veterans in Florida right now, the message is clear. You have stronger protections when seeking help with VA benefits claims. Anyone charging you fees must meet specific requirements. Anyone who doesn’t is breaking the law. Glover Luck LLP works with veterans throughout Florida who are pursuing benefits related to military sexual trauma. The SAVE Act reinforces the importance of working with qualified professionals who put your interests first. If you’re struggling to get the benefits you’ve earned, having proper legal representation can make the difference between a denied claim and the compensation you deserve.
