HB 190 Summary

• Establishes a public assistance fraud control unit within the Idaho State Police to investigate fraud violations in public assistance programs outside the scope of the existing Medicaid fraud control unit.

• Transfers the medicaid fraud control unit from the attorney general's office to the Idaho State Police while maintaining its authority to investigate Medicaid program fraud and provider violations.

• Grants the public assistance fraud control unit and state police investigators authority to issue subpoenas, compel testimony, and obtain warrants for investigating fraud related to public assistance funds and services.

• Authorizes the department to assess civil monetary penalties up to $1,000 per improperly claimed item or service, with additional penalties of $500 per month for background check violations, and to terminate provider agreements for fraudulent conduct.

• Modifies criminal penalties for food stamp fraud, making it a misdemeanor for amounts under $100 and a felony for amounts of $100 or more, with enforcement coordinated between local law enforcement and the new unit.