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GA HB822
Bill
Status
Passed
4/16/2012
Primary Sponsor
Matt Dollar
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AI Summary
- Enacts the "Georgia Taxpayer Protection False Claims Act," creating civil liability for any person who knowingly submits false or fraudulent claims for payment to the state or local governments, with penalties of $5,500 to $11,000 per false claim plus treble damages
- Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate and bring civil actions against violators, and allows private citizens (qui tam plaintiffs) to file suit on behalf of the state with the Attorney General's written approval, with complaints initially filed under seal for at least 60 days
- Private plaintiffs who bring successful actions receive 15–25% of proceeds if the state intervenes, or 25–30% if the state declines to proceed; damages may be reduced to double (rather than triple) if violators self-report within 30 days and fully cooperate
- Substantially revises the existing "State False Medicaid Claims Act" by broadening the definition of false claims, adding "material" and "obligation" as defined terms, extending the discovery statute of limitations from three to four years, expanding whistleblower protections to contractors and agents, and redirecting recovered proceeds from the Indigent Care Trust Fund to the Georgia Department of Community Health
- Provides detailed procedures for civil investigative demands (document production, interrogatories, oral testimony), establishes a six-year statute of limitations (with a ten-year outer limit), and includes anti-retaliation protections entitling whistleblowers to reinstatement, double back pay, and special damages
Legislative Description
Georgia Taxpayer Protection False Claims Act; enact
Last Action
Effective Date
7/1/2012
Committee Referrals
Health and Human Services3/7/2012
Judiciary1/30/2012
Full Bill Text
No bill text available