Minnesota Session Laws - 2018, Regular Session

CHAPTER 174--S.F.No. 327

An act

relating to consumer protection; prohibiting the assignment of military pay or benefits; providing penalties and remedies;

proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 325F.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [325F.992] PROHIBITION OF ASSIGNMENT OF MILITARY PAY OR MILITARY BENEFITS. new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Definitions. new text end

new text begin (a) For the purposes of this section, the terms in paragraphs (b) and (c) have the meanings given. new text end

new text begin (b) "Military beneficiary" means any of the following: new text end

new text begin (1) a current or former member of the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, who receives pay or benefits from the United States, or any state, for service in the armed forces of the United States or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States; new text end

new text begin (2) the spouse of the member as described in clause (1); and new text end

new text begin (3) any individual considered a beneficiary of the military benefits of the member as described in clause (1). new text end

new text begin (c) "Person" has the meaning given in section 325F.68. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Prohibition. new text end

new text begin (a) A person shall not enter into or attempt to enter into an agreement with a military beneficiary that assigns the military beneficiary's military pay or military benefits in violation of United States Code, title 37, section 701, or United States Code, title 38, section 5301. new text end

new text begin (b) A person shall not enter into or attempt to enter into any agreement, device, scheme, or other artifice with a military beneficiary, including but not limited to a purchase and sale agreement, that assigns or sells all or a portion of the military beneficiary's military pay or military benefits. new text end

new text begin (c) An agreement prohibited by paragraph (a) or (b) is void, and a military beneficiary is not required to disgorge or repay any consideration received under the agreement. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Penalties; remedies. new text end

new text begin In addition to any other remedies available under the law, the military beneficiary injured by a violation of this section may bring a cause of action to recover damages, reasonable attorney fees and costs, or equitable relief related to a violation of subdivision 2. The attorney general may enforce this section pursuant to applicable law. new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective August 1, 2018, for contracts entered into on or after August 1, 2018. new text end

Presented to the governor May 17, 2018

Signed by the governor May 20, 2018, 3:20 p.m.