HB 530 Summary

• Establishes the "Public Fraud Prevention Act" creating civil liability for persons who knowingly present false claims to the state, make fraudulent records, conspire to commit fraud, or conceal obligations to pay the state, with penalties of $5,000-$10,000 plus three times the damages sustained by the state.

• Authorizes the Attorney General to investigate fraud violations and allows private citizens to bring civil actions on behalf of the state as "qui tam" relators, with complaints filed under seal for at least 60 days before the Attorney General decides whether to intervene.

• Provides qui tam relators with 15-25% of recovery proceeds if the Attorney General proceeds with the action, or 25-30% if they conduct the action themselves, plus reasonable expenses and attorneys' fees awarded against the defendant.

• Permits the Attorney General to issue civil investigative demands for documentary materials, written interrogatories, and oral testimony from persons with relevant information to fraud investigations before filing suit.

• Protects employees, contractors, and agents from retaliation for reporting fraud violations, entitling them to reinstatement, double back pay, interest, and compensation for damages including litigation costs and attorneys' fees.