BILL REQ. #:  S-1514.3 

READ FIRST TIME 02/28/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to investigation and prevention of fraud in public assistance programs; and adding a new section to chapter 43.10 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 43.10 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) It is the intent of the legislature to ensure that all public assistance programs be administered to provide appropriate access and benefits to eligible recipients for as long as they need assistance and are eligible. Welfare fraud in any form undermines the purpose of public assistance and the very spirit in which it is provided.
     (2) In an effort to ensure the integrity of all public assistance programs in the state of Washington there is established in the office of the attorney general, the office of inspector general. The office of inspector general shall be directed by the inspector general who shall be appointed by the attorney general. The office of inspector general shall investigate welfare fraud and public assistance fraud in Washington state. Welfare includes public assistance programs and benefits, temporary assistance for needy families, WorkFirst, electronic benefits transfer, food stamps, and child care benefits. Medicaid fraud shall be referred to the medicaid fraud control unit of the office of the attorney general for investigation.
      (3) It is the duty of the office of inspector general to prevent, detect, and eliminate fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and misconduct in welfare and public assistance programs receiving or administering state or federal government funds. Office of inspector general duties shall include investigation of recipients, providers, contractors, and vendors of these benefits.
     (4) The office of inspector general shall work in concert with other agencies in accomplishing its mission to prevent and detect fraud and abuse of welfare, public assistance, and state and federal funds. The office of inspector general shall coordinate services with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
     (5) Funding for the office of inspector general shall be provided by transferring funding for three full-time equivalent positions from the division of fraud investigations within the department of social and health services and transferring all funding for three full-time equivalent positions to the office of the attorney general solely for the purpose of funding the office of inspector general.
     (6) The office of inspector general shall respond to any and all allegations of fraud or abuse of welfare and public assistance funds regardless of the source of the allegations. Allegations of fraud or abuse may be brought to the attention of the office of inspector general by agency employees, citizens of Washington state, providers, recipients, vendors, contractors, and law enforcement. Under no circumstances shall any individual or organization that brings allegations of fraud or abuse to the attention of the office of inspector general be retaliated against.
     (7) The office of inspector general shall publish a report to the legislature annually which shall include a narrative and corresponding statistical data on its activities. This annual report may include recommendations for agency operations and policies, legislative action, government oversight, or funding. The report is due January 1, 2006, and each year thereafter.