(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Public Benefits Fraud Protection Task Force is to conduct a thorough review of the nature of public assistance fraud in the State of Illinois; to ascertain the feasibility of implementing a mechanism to determine the pervasiveness and frequency of public assistance fraud; to calculate the detriment of public assistance fraud to the financial status and socio-economic status of public aid recipients specifically and Illinois taxpayers generally; and to determine if more stringent penalties or compassionate procedures are necessary. (b) Definitions. As used in this Section: "Task Force" means the Public Benefits Fraud Protection Task Force. "Public assistance" or "public aid" includes, without limitation, Medicaid, TANF, the Illinois LINK Program, General Assistance, Transitional Assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the Child Care Assistance Program. (c) The Public Benefits Fraud Protection Task Force. The Public Benefits Fraud Protection Task Force is created. The Task Force shall be composed of 17 members appointed as follows: (1) One member of the Illinois Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, who shall be co-chair to the Task Force; (2) One member of the Illinois Senate appointed by the Senate Minority Leader; (3) One member of the Illinois House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be co-chair to the Task Force; (4) One member of the Illinois House of Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader; (5) The following persons, or their designees: the Director of Public Health, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Secretary of Human Services; (6) The Director of the Illinois Department on Aging, or his or her designee; (7) The Executive Inspector General appointed by the Governor, or his or her designee; (8) The Inspector General of the Illinois Department of Human Services, or his or her designee; (9) A representative from the Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; (10) Three persons, who are not currently employed by a State agency, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services, one of whom shall be a person with professional experience in child care issues, one of whom shall be a person with knowledge and experience in legal aid services, and one of whom shall be a person with knowledge and experience in poverty law; (11) The Attorney General, or his or her designee; (12) A representative of a union representing front line State employees who administer public benefits programs; and (13) A representative of a statewide business association. (d) Compensation and qualifications. Members shall serve without compensation and shall be adults and residents of Illinois. (e) Appointments. Appointments shall be made 90 days from the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly. (f) Hearings. The Task Force shall solicit comments from stakeholders and hold public hearings before filing any report required by this Section. At the public hearings, the Task Force shall allow interested persons to present their views and comments. The Task Force shall submit all reports required by this Section to the Governor and the General Assembly. In addition to the reports required by this Section, the Task Force may provide, at its discretion, interim reports and recommendations. The Department of Human Services shall provide administrative support to the Task Force. (g) Task Force duties. The Task Force shall gather information and make recommendations relating to at least the following topics in relation to public assistance fraud: (1) Reviews of provider billing of public aid claims. (2) Reviews of recipient utilization of public aid. (3) Protocols for investigating recipient public aid fraud. (4) Protocols for investigating provider public aid fraud. (5) Reporting of alleged fraud by private citizens through qui tam actions. (6) Examination of current fraud prevention measures which may hinder legitimate aid claims. (7) Coordination between relevant agencies in fraud investigation. (8) Financial audit of the current costs borne by aid recipients and Illinois government through fraud. (9) Examination of enhanced penalties for fraudulent recipients and providers. (10) Enhanced whistleblower protections. (11) Voluntary assistance from businesses and community groups in efforts to curb fraud. (h) Task Force recommendations. Any of the findings, recommendations, public postings, and other relevant information regarding the Task Force shall be made available on the Department of Human Services' website. (i) Reporting requirements. The Task Force shall submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2011, including any necessary implementing legislation, and recommendations for changes to policies, rules, or procedures that are not incorporated in the implementing legislation. (j) Dissolution of Task Force. The Task Force shall be dissolved 90 days after its report has been submitted to the Governor's Office and the General Assembly. the President of the Senate, who shall be co-chair to the Task Force; the Senate Minority Leader; Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be co-chair to the Task Force; Representatives appointed by the House Minority Leader; Director of Public Health, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, and the Secretary of Human Services; or his or her designee; Governor, or his or her designee; of Human Services, or his or her designee; General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit; a State agency, appointed by the Secretary of Human Services, one of whom shall be a person with professional experience in child care issues, one of whom shall be a person with knowledge and experience in legal aid services, and one of whom shall be a person with knowledge and experience in poverty law; line State employees who administer public benefits programs; and association. fraud. fraud. through qui tam actions. which may hinder legitimate aid claims. investigation. recipients and Illinois government through fraud. recipients and providers. community groups in efforts to curb fraud.
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