This bill amends existing law to expand the authority of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to collect debts related to benefits inappropriately obtained not only from the Department of Health and Human Services but also from the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM). It establishes that benefits obtained through false, misleading, incomplete, or inaccurate information will create a lien in favor of the state on the property of the individual who received those benefits. Additionally, county recorders are required to maintain an index of these liens owed to HSEM, and DIAL is mandated to collect delinquent debts owed to HSEM promptly.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that allows HSEM to refer suspected cases of fraud related to disaster aid programs to DIAL or other state entities for review. In cases where fraud is substantiated and a conviction occurs, the state is required to explore all legal options to recover the amount equal to the fraudulently claimed benefits, which may include removing the recipient from other public assistance programs and garnishing wages or state income tax refunds. The bill ensures that the same provisions regarding lien attachment, preservation, and collection processes that apply to the Department of Health and Human Services will also apply to HSEM.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10A.108, 558.49