Bill > SF2981

This bill modifies various provisions related to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) within the Minnesota Department of Education, enhancing its investigative powers and establishing clearer guidelines for investigating fraud, theft, waste, and abuse in department programs. The bill expands definitions of fraud, theft, waste, and abuse to include more specific actions like obtaining funds with missing information, failing to correct record errors, or overstating reimbursement levels. It grants the OIG broad access to records, allowing immediate access to physical and electronic documents without prior notice, and permits photocopying of records. The bill establishes protections for individuals who report potential misconduct, providing immunity from civil liability and ensuring confidentiality of their identities. Additionally, the bill outlines a process for sanctions against program participants found to have committed fraud or other improper actions, including the ability to prohibit participation in other department programs, with provisions for notice and appeal. The legislation also clarifies data practices, specifying how investigative data can be used and shared, and adds the OIG to the list of agencies that can access certain unemployment insurance data for investigative purposes. Throughout the bill, there are explicit safeguards to ensure that sanctions do not interrupt state or federal aid to educational institutions.

Justice

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/bill.php?b=Senate&f=SF2981&ssn=0&y=2025