CS/HB 515 - Public Assistance Fraud

• Enhanced criminal penalties for public assistance fraud based on aggregate value: misdemeanor of first degree for less than $200 in 12 months; felony of third degree for $200-$19,999; felony of second degree for $20,000-$99,999; felony of first degree for $100,000 or more in 12 months

• Establishes whistleblower reward program for original information leading to recovery of fraud amounts, with rewards capped at 10 percent of recovery or $500,000 whichever is less, paid from state share of recoveries

• Limits use of temporary cash assistance benefits outside Florida to 30 consecutive days, with automatic termination of benefits for recipients exceeding this period

• Requires parents or caretaker relatives disqualified from temporary cash assistance due to fraud to designate a protective payee to receive benefits for eligible children; individuals disqualified for fraud cannot serve as protective payees

• Appropriates $386,374 in recurring funds and $22,521 in nonrecurring funds, and authorizes six full-time positions, for implementation of cash rewards provisions; effective October 1, 2014