HB 1909-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Creates the office of inspector general within the office of the governor in order to create an independent unit to: (1) Conduct and supervise investigations relating to allegations of fraud; and

(2) Inform the governor and the legislature about vulnerabilities and deficiencies relating to the detection and prevention of fraud as may be discovered as a result of completed investigations conducted or coordinated by the office.

Designates the office as a criminal justice agency.

Requires the inspector general to submit a report summarizing the activities of the office to the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives by November 30, 2005, by November 30, 2006, and by November of every even-numbered year thereafter. The report shall contain only disclosable information, including: (1) A description of significant fraud, and of vulnerabilities or deficiencies relating to the prevention and detection of fraud, discovered as a result of investigations completed during the reporting period;

(2) A description of corrective action taken by government entities regarding fraud discovered as a result of investigations conducted by the office;

(3) Recommendations for improving the activities of the office with respect to the vulnerabilities or deficiencies identified under this act;

(4) An identification of each significant recommendation described in the previous reports on which corrective action has or has not been completed; and

(5) A summary of matters referred to prosecution authorities during the reporting period and the charges filed and convictions entered during the reporting period that have resulted from referrals by the office.

Requires the inspector general to forward a draft of the report to any government entity identified in the report not less than twenty days before the date that the report is to be issued.

Directs the governor to make copies of the report available to the public upon request and at a reasonable cost at the same time the report of the inspector general is provided to legislative committees.

Transfers all powers, duties, and functions of the fraud units to the office of the inspector general.

Declares that it is an unfair practice for any employer, employment agency, labor union, government agency, government manager, or government supervisor to discharge, expel, discriminate, or otherwise retaliate against an individual assisting with an office of inspector general investigation under this act, unless the individual has made willful disregard for the truth.