HB1790 Summary

• Establishes the "Missouri False Claims Act" allowing civil actions against persons who knowingly present false or fraudulent claims to Missouri state government, political subdivisions, public school districts, or public charter schools

• Imposes civil penalties of $10,000 to $100,000 plus three times the actual damages sustained by government, or two times damages if violator self-reports within 30 days and cooperates with investigation

• Authorizes the Missouri Attorney General to investigate violations and allows private citizens to bring whistleblower lawsuits on behalf of the government, with complaints initially filed under seal for at least 60 days

• Provides whistleblowers 15-25% of recovered proceeds if government proceeds with the case, or 25-30% if the citizen pursues it independently, plus reasonable expenses and attorney fees

• Protects employees from retaliation for participating in false claims investigations or lawsuits, entitling them to reinstatement, double back pay, and damages; excludes hospitals and medical providers under state Medicaid program