Louisiana's 2026 legislative session closed out with a batch of new protections for the state's veterans, most notably a first-of-its-kind state crime for faking military service and a fee waiver that should make it easier to file disability claims. Both measures take effect August 1, 2026.
A New State Crime for Stolen Valor
Senate Bill 51, authored by Sen. Kleinpeter, creates Louisiana's own state-level charge for fraudulently representing military service or awards — a step beyond the existing federal Stolen Valor Act. As reported by Military.com and the Louisiana Illuminator, the law is now Act 203 and sets up tiered penalties: up to $1,000 and six months in jail for a standard false claim, rising to $5,000 and a year in jail for falsely claiming top honors like the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart, and up to $10,000, five years in prison, and full restitution for anyone who uses a fake service record to actually collect a military- or veteran-only benefit.
That last tier matters most for the veteran community itself. Impostors who claim fake service records don't just insult real veterans — in some cases they siphon benefits, donations, or trust away from people who earned them. Giving prosecutors a dedicated state charge, on top of federal law, gives Louisiana another tool to go after that kind of fraud.
Cutting a Fee That Slowed Down Disability Claims
The second major piece is House Bill 609, authored by Rep. Chassion and now Act 558. It exempts veterans from paying fees when they request their own health records in connection with a disability claim filed with the federal or state VA — a one-time-per-facility exemption, according to reporting on the 2026 session's veteran-focused bills. Records fees are a small line item on paper, but for veterans piecing together documentation from multiple providers to support a claim, they can add up fast and add friction to an already slow process. Waiving them is a small change that should make the disability claims process a little less expensive and a little less bureaucratic.
Also on the Table: The Major Richard Star Act
Lawmakers also adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 70, urging Congress to pass the Major Richard Star Act, which would let combat-injured, medically retired veterans receive both their military retirement pay and VA disability compensation without one offsetting the other. It's a resolution rather than a law — Louisiana doesn't control federal retirement pay — but it adds the state's voice to a long-running push in Congress on an issue that affects medically retired veterans nationwide.
Louisiana veterans can find a full breakdown of state-specific benefits, including property tax and education programs, on our Louisiana veteran benefits guide. And if you're an eligible veteran, service member, or first responder looking for a free race entry, check your eligibility to see what's available in Louisiana and beyond.