CO HB1223

Establishes a fraud reporting hotline administered by the State Auditor accepting reports via telephone, fax, email, mail, or internet-based forms regarding occupational fraud by state employees or contracted individuals.

State Auditor must screen hotline calls and refer credible fraud allegations to affected state agencies, which have 90 days to report back on disposition; Medicaid fraud reports go directly to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing or Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.

State Auditor has authority to investigate fraud at agency request, with full access to agency records and duty to report findings to agency heads; investigations exceeding $100,000 must be reported to the Legislative Audit Committee and Governor.

Protects caller confidentiality by prohibiting public disclosure of reporter identity without express permission, except when sharing with law enforcement, district attorneys, or Attorney General for criminal investigations.

Prohibits retaliation against employees or contractors who report fraud to the hotline, except for false reports made with disregard for truthfulness; workpapers remain strictly confidential and exempt from public records requests.