MS SB2649

Increases criminal fines for workers' compensation fraud from current amounts to $10,000 or double the fraud value (whichever is greater), with imprisonment up to 3 years.

Requires injured employees to sign acknowledgment that they understand insurance fraud penalties under Sections 71-3-69 and 7-5-309; failure to sign results in benefits suspension.

Prohibits employees from receiving workers' compensation benefits if a court or administrative law judge determines they knowingly made false statements or engaged in fraudulent conduct to secure benefits.

Allows employers or carriers to suspend benefits based on probative evidence of fraud without prior court order; employee may petition for reinstatement, which must be granted unless fraud is established by preponderance of evidence.

Increases criminal fines for insurance fraud violations to $10,000 or double fraud value (whichever is greater); increases organizational fines to $150,000 per violation; assessments take effect July 1, 2012.