This bill establishes the crime of illegal remunerations in Minnesota, specifically targeting unauthorized payments related to federal health care programs and grants. It amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 256B.12, to clarify the roles of the attorney general and county attorneys in prosecuting violations. The new section 609.542 outlines various forms of illegal remuneration, including soliciting or receiving payments in exchange for referrals, purchases, or applications for services covered by federal health care programs. It also addresses the solicitation or receipt of payments related to grants, including providing false information in grant applications.

The bill specifies penalties for violations, with potential imprisonment of up to ten years or fines up to $20,000 for offenses involving significant value, and lesser penalties for lower amounts. It includes provisions for aggregating offenses over a six-month period and establishes that claims resulting from violations constitute false claims under existing law. The effective date for these changes is set for August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.12