Chief Patron

Sen. Martin Williams (R-1)

Martin Williams (R-1)
Served: 1996–

Status

03/19/2007: signed by governor
View Entire History

Summary

Civil actions brought by private persons benefiting Commonwealth; medical payments by commonwealth; statute of limitations. Removes motion for judgment language and replaces it with complaint language in actions under §§ 8.01-216 et seq. Increases the minimum (to $5,500) and maximum (to $11,000) amount of a civil penalty for making a false claim to or attempting to defraud the Commonwealth. Also states that a violator of § 8.01-216.3 shall be liable for reasonable attorney fees, expenses, and costs associated with maintaining a civil action under § 8.01-216.3. Such fees, expenses, and costs are to be paid to the Attorney General's Office. Includes civil actions brought by the Attorney General based on a false claim made to the Commonwealth (§ 8.01-216.4) under the statute promulgating the procedure for maintaining such action and the statute of limitations that would apply to such action. Provides that civil fraud actions brought by the Commonwealth to recover medical payments or benefits provided directly or indirectly by the Commonwealth must be brought within six years, or within three years after the fraud was discovered or reasonably should have been discovered. An action cannot be brought more than 10 years after the fraud occurred regardless of when it was discovered.