The bill amends Section 56-227 of the Idaho Code to enhance the state's ability to combat fraud related to public assistance programs. It establishes that the State Tax Commission and the Department of Health and Welfare may exchange information regarding individuals' state income tax returns for the purpose of investigating suspected fraud. The bill also emphasizes the confidentiality of this information, stipulating that it can only be used to determine violations of the law and cannot be made public unless involved in a judicial proceeding. Additionally, the Department of Health and Welfare is tasked with creating a fraud control program to investigate suspected fraudulent activities related to public assistance benefits.

Furthermore, the bill makes technical corrections and clarifies that the fraud control program's activities should not overlap with those of the Medicaid fraud control unit. It specifies that the information shared between the State Tax Commission and the Department of Health and Welfare must comply with federal and state laws regarding public assistance programs. The bill declares an emergency, making it effective from July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 56-227