MN HF4519

Adds a third ground for temporary immediate license suspension: failure of child care license holders to comply with child care assistance fraud investigation requirements under chapter 245E.

Requires the commissioner to contract with a vendor to verify eligibility of all enrollees in medical assistance, MinnesotaCare, child care assistance programs, and SNAP during specified audit periods, with vendor compensation limited to a portion of state savings achieved.

Creates new criminal offense for transferring assistance payments or benefits to individuals or organizations in foreign countries subject to federal travel restrictions, with sentences ranging from 2 to 25 years imprisonment and fines from $5,000 to $125,000 depending on amount wrongfully obtained.

Establishes permanent disqualification from assistance programs for violations of the unauthorized transfer provision, in addition to existing disqualification periods for other fraud offenses.

Directs the legislative auditor to conduct a special investigation into child care assistance programs covering county compliance, provider requirements, and fraud investigation provisions, with findings and recommendations due to legislative committees by February 15, 2019.