SB 5293-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Establishes 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.

Requires the office of inspector general to 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.