The proposed bill establishes an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) within the state government to investigate and address fraud, waste, and abuse in public programs. It outlines the powers and responsibilities of the inspector general, including the creation of a fraud reporting hotline, the authority to halt payments when fraud is suspected, and the requirement to report documented fraud to the Legislative Audit Commission. The bill also includes provisions for the appointment and oversight of the inspector general, ensuring coordination with the legislative auditor. Key changes include new subdivisions in Minnesota Statutes 2024 that detail the inspector general's responsibilities, such as accessing government data and imposing temporary sanctions on suspected fraud recipients, while repealing existing statutes related to agency-based offices of inspector general.

Additionally, the bill mandates that individuals involved in licensing functions report suspected fraud to county investigators and shifts reporting responsibilities from the Department of Human Services to the newly established Inspector General. It abolishes the Offices of Inspector General in the Departments of Education, Human Services, and Children, Youth, and Families, consolidating their functions under the OIG. The bill also emphasizes data privacy, ensuring confidentiality of information collected under the Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Law, and prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers. Overall, the legislation aims to enhance accountability and transparency in state programs while protecting the rights of individuals who report misconduct.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 3.97, 3.971, 142B.53, 245A.24, 268.19, 268B.30