SB 0484 Summary

• Enacts the "False Claims Act" establishing civil liability for persons presenting false or fraudulent claims to Michigan state or local governments, with penalties of $6,000-$12,000 per violation plus treble damages.

• Authorizes the Attorney General and local governments to investigate and bring civil enforcement actions for false claims, and permits private citizens ("qui tam plaintiffs") to sue on behalf of the state or local government.

• Provides qui tam plaintiffs with 15-30% of recovered proceeds depending on whether government intervenes, and requires unsealing complaints and serving defendants within specified timeframes.

• Protects employees, contractors, and agents from retaliation or discrimination for disclosing false claims violations, entitling them to reinstatement, back pay, attorney fees, and other remedies.

• Establishes a 10-year statute of limitations for false claims actions and requires proof by preponderance of the evidence; does not preempt law enforcement investigations or voluntary disclosures to authorities.