Bill > S1673

This bill expands the authority of the Bureau of Special Investigations (BSI) to investigate potential fraud and improper receipt of benefits within programs administered by local or regional housing authorities, in addition to existing oversight of programs run by the department of public welfare and the department of social services. Specifically, the BSI director will now be required to investigate complaints indicating fraudulent claims for payment or services, or instances where someone receives benefits they are not entitled to, from these housing authorities. Furthermore, if the BSI finds information suggesting someone is ineligible for assistance from a housing authority, or has probable cause to believe fraud has occurred, they must report this to the relevant housing authority director and potentially to the attorney general or a district attorney for further action. The bill also clarifies that housing authorities may be subject to substantiation by the BSI, as established in Chapter 22 of the General Laws, under regulations developed by the department of community affairs and the department of public safety.