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 include provisions for prosecuting violations under this new section, which is proposed to be coded as section 609.542. The bill defines key terms such as "grant" and "political subdivision," and outlines the actions that constitute illegal remuneration, including soliciting or receiving payments in exchange for referrals or services related to federal health care programs.

The bill also 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 smaller amounts. Additionally, it includes provisions for aggregating offenses over a six-month period and addresses false claims related to grants. The effective date for this legislation is set for August 1, 2025, applying to crimes committed on or after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 256B.12