SB 1023 Summary

• Amends Michigan's Medicaid False Claims Act to redefine "claim" as any request or demand for Medicaid payment presented to state officers or contractors, expanding the definition beyond prior language referencing the Social Welfare Act.

• Expands civil false claims liability by allowing any person to bring actions on behalf of the state to recover losses from violations, with the attorney general retaining right to intervene; provides whistleblowers 15-30% of monetary recoveries depending on attorney general involvement.

• Increases civil penalties from $5,000-$10,000 per claim to $5,500-$11,000 per claim plus treble damages for fraudulent Medicaid benefit claims.

• Protects employees, contractors, and agents from retaliation by employers for participating in or assisting false claims investigations and actions, with remedies including reinstatement, back pay doubled, and reasonable attorney fees.

• Establishes procedural requirements including mandatory notification to attorney general within 28 days, sealed complaints until attorney general election period expires, and restrictions on bringing duplicate actions already filed by the state; takes effect 90 days after enactment.