This bill aims to strengthen consumer protection by introducing new provisions related to Medicaid fraud and expanding the attorney general's authority to enforce these laws. It amends several sections of the Minnesota Statutes, including section 8.16, which now permits authorized assistant attorneys general to subpoena records pertinent to Medicaid fraud investigations. A new section, 609.467, is established to define medical assistance fraud and delineate penalties for violations, which may include imprisonment and fines that vary based on the amount of fraudulent claims. The bill also repeals section 609.466 and makes necessary adjustments to other statutes, such as section 256B.12, to clarify the roles of the attorney general and county attorneys in prosecuting these cases.

Additionally, the bill modifies the statute of limitations for various offenses, specifying time frames for filing indictments or complaints based on the nature of the offense. For serious offenses involving property or services valued over $35,000, the filing period is set at five years, while other offenses, including those related to false statements, have a filing period of three to five years. The bill also appropriates $390,750 from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support the attorney general's efforts against medical assistance fraud, with a commitment for the same amount in the subsequent two fiscal years. The repeal of section 609.466 signifies a significant change in the legal approach to addressing medical assistance fraud.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 609.466, 8.16, 256B.12, 628.26
1st Engrossment: 609.466, 8.16, 256B.12, 628.26
2nd Engrossment: 609.466, 8.16, 256B.12, 609.52, 628.26