National Association for Veterans Rights (NAVR) Applauds South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden for Protecting Veterans’ Rights

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Association for Veterans Rights (NAVR), proudly commends South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden for signing House Bill 1238 (HB 1238), an Act to establish protections for a Veteran seeking assistance in a Veterans' benefit matter, into Law, reinforcing critical protections for Veterans seeking assistance with their VA benefits. With this decisive action, Governor Rhoden joins a growing nationwide movement to safeguard Veterans from bad actors while preserving their right to choose who helps them navigate the complex disability claims process.

By enacting HB 1238, South Dakota aligns with Louisiana and other states advancing similar legislation, ensuring that Veterans receive the support they need without being exploited or restricted by bureaucratic red tape. This measure strikes the right balance between establishing guardrails against fraudulent actors and guaranteeing that Veterans can seek qualified assistance beyond government-appointed channels.

“Governor Rhoden’s leadership in signing HB 1238 is a monumental victory for Veterans and their fundamental rights,” said Peter O’Rourke, President of NAVR. “This law ensures Veterans are not confined to an overburdened system with limited options but are empowered to choose who assists them, while putting critical safeguards in place to protect them from bad actors. South Dakota is setting a powerful example, and we will continue to call on other states to follow this bold step in defending Veterans’ rights.”

Across the country, states recognize the urgent need to protect Veterans from predatory practices while ensuring they aren’t left without essential help. HB 1238 is part of this growing momentum that NAVR fully supports and will continue working to advance similar policies nationwide.

Unfortunately, misinformation continues to circulate, with some falsely claiming that non-government assistance is harmful to Veterans. This narrative is not only misleading, it’s dangerous. Veterans deserve the ability to make informed choices, and NAVR is committed to ensuring they have access to accurate information and a full range of options.

NAVR urges all Veterans and supporters to stand behind leaders like Governor Rhoden who are taking meaningful action to protect Veterans’ rights, rather than pushing rhetoric that limits their choices.

About NAVR:

The National Association for Veterans Rights (NAVR) is a national trade association committed to promoting ethical and transparent business practices among companies engaging with the service-disabled Veteran community. NAVR advocates for businesses that empower Veterans with professional and transparent solutions while advancing support for Veteran-owned businesses.