Solicitation For Veterans’ Benefits - - CA Military And Veterans

Section § 1800

This section defines terms related to veterans' organizations as used in Section 1801. It explains that 'veterans' organizations' are those recognized by Congress or chartered, primarily involving honorably discharged armed forces members or their auxiliaries. Examples include groups like the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

'Poppy' refers to items representing the poppy flower made from materials like cloth or paper. 'Badge' covers insignias or similar items from a veterans' organization, while 'Label' means materials displaying the name of or resembling any veterans' organization.

As used in Section 1801:

(a) “Veterans’ organizations” means any duly congressionally recognized or chartered organization of honorably discharged members of the Armed Forces of the United States, or any of their auxiliaries, including, but not limited to, the Air Force Sergeants Association, American Ex-Prisoners of War, American Legion, American Veterans, Armed Forces Retirees Association of California, Association of the United States Army, Blinded Veterans Association, California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, California State Commanders Veterans Council, Disabled American Veterans, Fleet Reserve Association, Jewish War Veterans, Legion of Valor, Marine Corps League, Military Officers Association of America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, National Association for Uniformed Services, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, Retired Enlisted Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, or WAVES National.

(b) “Poppy” means any article fashioned of cloth, paper, or other material which represents or resembles the poppy or other flower.

(c) “Badge” means any badge, rosette, lapel button, or other insignia of any veterans’ organization or any imitation thereof.

(d) “Label” means any card, paper, sign, certificate, banner, or other material containing the name of or a similar name to that of any veterans’ organization.

veterans' organizations honorably discharged members armed forces auxiliaries Air Force Sergeants Association American Legion poppy badge insignia label chartered organization congressionally recognized American Veterans Veterans of Foreign Wars Vietnam Veterans of America

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 206, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 1801

This law makes it illegal to falsely claim that a poppy, badge, or label is associated with a veterans' organization if it is not actually endorsed by one. It applies to selling, giving away, or any representation that suggests a connection to a veterans' organization without their approval. Additionally, it covers false claims about fundraising or merchandise sales being linked to veterans' groups. Violating this law is considered a misdemeanor, even if you have a license to sell goods or are a veteran yourself.

It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following acts:

(a) To hawk, peddle, vend, offer to sell, give away, or offer to give away any poppy, badge, or label, which appears to be, or is represented directly or indirectly as being, sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization, when such poppy, badge, or label is not so sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization.

(b) To represent in any way, directly or indirectly, that any poppy, badge, or label is sponsored, endorsed, or is being offered by a veterans’ organization when it is in fact not so sponsored, endorsed, or offered by that veterans’ organization.

(c) To represent in any way, directly or indirectly that any act of solicitation of the contribution of funds or property or for the purchase or sale of any merchandise or services is sponsored, endorsed, or made by or at the request of a veterans’ organization when it is not in fact so sponsored, endorsed, or made by that veterans’ organization.

(d) To manufacture, process, assemble or distribute, or offer for sale, any poppy, badge, or label which appears to be, or is represented directly or indirectly as being, sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization, when such poppy, badge, or label is not so sponsored, endorsed, or offered by any veterans’ organization.

Any person, whether or not an honorably discharged member of the Armed Forces of the United States, and whether or not licensed to hawk, peddle, or vend goods, wares, or merchandise, who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.

veterans' organization false endorsement misrepresentation poppy sales unauthorized merchandise badge selling illegal solicitation veterans' charity fraudulent claims veteran-related fundraising improper affiliation misleading advertising badge distribution label misrepresentation misleading solicitation

(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 206, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 2007.)

Section § 1802

If someone collects donations claiming they will help veterans or a veterans' group, but then spends the money on something else, they're committing a misdemeanor, which is a type of crime.

Any person who solicits funds for the benefit of any veteran or veterans’ association and who uses such funds for purposes other than those represented in the solicitation is guilty of a misdemeanor.

soliciting funds veterans' association misuse of funds misdemeanor charitable solicitation fundraising fraud veterans' benefits unlawful fundraising misrepresentation donation misuse

(Added by Stats. 1953, Ch. 68.)