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Committee hears bill to create a Washington State False Claims Act with qui tam enforcement
Summary
Substitute HB 2585 would create a state False Claims Act modeled on the federal law and the state's Medicaid version, authorizing the attorney general and private relators to sue for false claims to state funds, imposing treble damages and civil penalties, and establishing whistleblower protections. Business groups urged narrow carve‑outs for taxes and good‑faith contract claims.
Substitute House Bill 2585 was presented to the House Civil Rights & Judiciary Committee on Jan. 27 as a measure to expand Washington's civil tools against fraud in state programs. Staff described the bill as modeled on the federal False Claims Act and the state Medicaid False Claims Act, extending civil liability to fraudulent claims presented to the state and authorizing qui tam suits by private relators.
Edie Adams (committee staff) explained the bill creates civil penalties and treble damages tied to federal penalty amounts (which staff cited as currently ranging about $14,308 to $28,619 per violation when adjusted for inflation under federal law). The bill would allow private relators to file under seal and…
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