Bill > HB1697

This bill establishes the Taxpayer Prevention Against Fraud Act, which adopts the intent of the Federal False Claims Act to combat fraud against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The bill creates a comprehensive legal framework for identifying, investigating, and prosecuting false claims made to government agencies. Key provisions include establishing liability for individuals or entities who knowingly submit false claims, make false statements, or improperly handle government funds, with potential damages of up to three times the amount of damages sustained plus civil penalties. The bill introduces a qui tam provision that allows private individuals (called qui tam plaintiffs) to bring civil actions on behalf of the Commonwealth and potentially receive a percentage of recovered funds. It also provides protections for employees who report violations, preventing employers from retaliating against whistleblowers. The Attorney General is granted significant investigative powers, including the ability to issue civil investigative demands to gather information about potential false claims. The bill establishes a Fraud Prevention and Recovery Account to deposit recovered funds and requires the Attorney General to submit annual reports detailing actions taken under the law. The legislation is designed to prevent fraud, recover misappropriated government funds, and create strong deterrents against fraudulent activities targeting Commonwealth agencies.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services, Justice

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1697