SF0092

Establishes the Wyoming False Claims Act, which provides civil remedies and penalties for false or fraudulent claims made against the state and protections for persons reporting violations.

• Defines key terms including 'claim' (requests for money or property presented to state officers or contractors using state funds), 'knowing' or 'knowingly' (actual knowledge, deliberate ignorance, or reckless disregard), 'material' (capable of influencing payment), and other relevant definitions for the act. (W.S. 1-44-102)
• Establishes liability for persons who knowingly present false or fraudulent claims, make false records material to claims, deliver less property than authorized, make false receipts, buy public property improperly, conceal obligations to the state, conspire to violate the act, or fail to disclose or repay inadvertent false claims or overpayments. Liable parties owe three times the damages plus civil penalties of $5,500 to $11,000 per false claim and court costs. (W.S. 1-44-103(a))
• Reduces liability to two times damages with no civil penalty if a person discloses the violation to state officials within 30 days, fully cooperates with investigations, and no criminal or civil action has commenced. (W.S. 1-44-103(b))
• Exempts from the act false claims related to workers' compensation, sales taxes, insurance department assets, Wyoming Medicaid services, federal welfare benefits, and state employment compensation or income subsidies with no use restrictions. (W.S. 1-44-103(d))
• Authorizes the attorney general and applicable prosecuting authorities to investigate and bring civil actions for violations. Allows prosecuting authorities to intervene within 60 days of notice. Establishes jurisdiction limitations preventing actions against legislators, judges, elected officials, or governing body members when evidence was known when the action was brought. (W.S. 1-44-104(a), W.S. 1-44-104(b)(ii))
• Allows courts to dismiss actions based on allegations substantially disclosed in prior criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings, legislative reports, or news media, unless brought by the attorney general or prosecuting authority or the plaintiff is the original source of the information. (W.S. 1-44-104(b)(iv), W.S. 1-44-104(b)(v))