MN SF5437

Authorizes the Department of Education Office of the Inspector General to hire a deputy inspector general and assistant inspectors general, and requires development of a public platform for reporting fraud, waste, or abuse of department funds.

Grants the inspector general power to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses and documents, compel attendance, and take evidence for audits, investigations, and inquiries related to office duties, with subpoena fees paid the same as district court process.

Provides the Office of the Inspector General access to routing and account numbers from other state agencies showing where Department of Education funds were disbursed, and access to all books, accounts, documents, data, and property related to department-funded programs held by public entities and private recipients.

Allows the inspector general to recommend sanctions to the commissioner including ending program participation, stopping fund disbursement, or terminating contracts following criminal convictions, credible evidence of fraud/waste/abuse, or preponderance-of-evidence findings of fraud/waste/abuse.

Requires the commissioner to notify entities of sanctions within seven business days, permits contested case hearings within 30 days, and defines fraud/waste/abuse to include false claims, duplicate information, false statements for compensation, vendor suspension by other agencies, and refusal to provide records.