Pennsylvania HB 2051: An Act amending the the act of October 24, 2012 (P.L.1209, No.151), known as the Child Labor Act, further providing for occupations and establishments.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2629
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2051
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GROVE, JAMES, M. JONES, GILLEN AND KLUNK,
NOVEMBER 19, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, NOVEMBER 19, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for liability for false
claims, for adoption of congressional intent of the Federal
False Claims Act, for damages, costs and civil penalties, for
powers of Attorney General, for qui tam actions and for civil
investigative demands.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 71 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a part to read:
PART XXVII
FINANCES OF STATE GOVERNMENT
Chapter
61. (Reserved)
63. False Claims Against Commonwealth
CHAPTER 61
(Reserved)
CHAPTER 63
FALSE CLAIMS AGAINST COMMONWEALTH
Subchapter
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A. Preliminary Provisions
B. False Claims
SUBCHAPTER A
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Sec.
6301. Short title of chapter.
6302. Declaration of policy.
6303. Definitions.
§ 6301. Short title of chapter.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the
Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act.
§ 6302. Declaration of policy.
The General Assembly declares that this chapter adopts the
intent of the United States Congress in enacting the Federal
False Claims Act (Public Law 97-258, 31 U.S.C. § 3729 et seq.).
§ 6303. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Claim." As follows:
(1) A request or demand for money or property, whether
under contract or otherwise and regardless of whether the
Commonwealth has title to the money or property, that is
presented, submitted or otherwise made to:
(i) An employee, officer or agent of the
Commonwealth.
(ii) A contractor, grantee or other recipient, and
any portion of the money or property will be spent or
used on the Commonwealth's behalf or to advance a program
or interest of the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth:
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(A) provides or has provided any portion of the
money or property requested or demanded; or
(B) will reimburse the contractor, grantee or
other recipient for any portion of the money or
property which is requested or demanded.
(2) The term does not include requests or demands for
money or property that the Commonwealth has paid to an
individual as compensation for employment or as an income
subsidy with no restrictions on the individual's use of the
money or property.
(3) To the extent it is not connected to a request or
demand for money or property, a filing with a Commonwealth
agency pursuant to the Commonwealth's insurance laws shall
not constitute a claim.
"Designated district attorney." A district attorney
designated by the Attorney General under section 6312(a)(2)
(relating to Attorney General investigations and prosecutions
and civil actions).
"Designee." Any of the following individuals designated by
the Attorney General to perform duties under this chapter:
(1) An attorney of the Office of Attorney General.
(2) A designated district attorney.
(3) An attorney from a designated district attorney's
office.
"Knowing" or "knowingly." As follows:
(1) When a person, with respect to information, does any
of the following:
(i) Has actual knowledge of the information.
(ii) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or
falsity of the information.
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(iii) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or
falsity of the information.
(2) Proof of specific intent to defraud is not required.
"Legal claim." A claim for relief at law or equity, whether
contemplated or asserted, including any claim, demand, account,
note or any other cause of action or liability.
"Material." A natural tendency to influence, or be capable
of influencing, the payment or receipt of money or property.
"Obligation." An established duty, whether or not fixed,
arising from any of the following:
(1) An express or implied contractual relationship.
(2) An express or implied grantor-grantee relationship.
(3) An express or implied licensor-licensee
relationship.
(4) A fee-based or similar relationship.
(5) A statute or regulation.
(6) The retention of an overpayment.
"Official use." A use that is consistent with the law and
the regulations and policies of the Office of Attorney General,
including the following:
(1) Use in connection with internal memoranda and
reports of the Office of Attorney General or designated
district attorney.
(2) Communications between the Office of Attorney
General or designated district attorney and a Federal, State
or local government agency or a contractor of a Federal,
State or local government agency, undertaken in