This bill amends existing Iowa law to expand the authority of the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) to collect debts related to benefits inappropriately obtained from the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM), in addition to the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes that any benefits obtained through false, misleading, incomplete, or inaccurate information will create a lien in favor of the state on the individual's property. County recorders are required to maintain an index of these liens, and DIAL is mandated to collect delinquent debts owed to HSEM promptly.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new section that allows HSEM to refer cases of suspected fraud or misrepresentation to DIAL for review. In instances where fraud is substantiated, the state is required to explore all legal options to recover the amount equal to the fraudulently claimed benefits, which may include removing recipients from other public assistance programs or garnishing wages and state income tax refunds. The bill ensures that the same provisions regarding lien attachment and collection processes that apply to HHS also apply to HSEM, thereby streamlining the recovery of inappropriately obtained benefits across both departments.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 10A.108, 558.49