2025 Regular Session - Day 27 - SB 162, Rep. Scott Sharp

thank you Mr Speaker uh Mr Speaker this uh Bill presented or forwarded by Senator FR Meer it concerns unemployment insurance fraud uh during as we're all aware of the pandemic that happened several years ago there was a lot of fraud going on and some of it was done by state employees they were collecting unemployment benefits while still being fully employed by the state and they happen to work for the unemployment insurance uh Department uh this represents a serious breach of public trust and failure of accountability so what this bill does is it requires the Kentucky education and labor cabinet to automatically refer fraud cases to an appropriate Authority such as the Department of Justice the US Department of Justice the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety cabinet or an appropriate County or Commonwealth's Attorney office office for disposition and they have to provide all the case information in which they can make a sound investigation complete uh it also directs them to create protocols for information sharing uh between the education and labor cabinet and law enforcement regarding the referral of suspected fraud uh you know this bill is designed to deter future fraud attempts protect program Integrity ensure funds go to legitimate claimants and maintains public trust in the system and it demonstrates a commitment by this floor for accountability or I should say by the general assembly for accountability and with that I'd like to yield to the lady from Jefferson 40 for a friendly Amendment