Pittsburgh, PA − July 10, 2025 − Senator Lindsey M. Williams applauds the Pennsylvania House for Wednesday’s bipartisan vote to pass HB 1697, the Taxpayer Prevention Against Fraud Act, sponsored by Rep. Frank Burns (D-72). HB 1697 creates a Pennsylvania False Claims Act, similar to Senator Williams’ SB 38, the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Act for Taxpayer Accountability.
“There is a lot of conversation right now in Washington, D.C., and Harrisburg about Medicaid/Medicare fraud by individuals,” said Senator Williams. “But the reality is that the vast majority of taxpayer money lost to fraud is not the result of individuals receiving benefits. These major losses come from corporations intentionally lying and billing the state and federal governments for services that have not been rendered. Studies have repeatedly proven that the best way to detect and deter that level of massive taxpayer fraud is to protect the employees who see it first and who come forward to report it. Pennsylvania is leaving millions and millions of taxpayer dollars on the table every year by not protecting whistleblowers and prosecuting the tips that they bring forward. It is time for us to enact real protections for taxpayer dollars and finally pass a Pennsylvania False Claims Act.”
“Making government more transparent, accessible, and accountable is a top priority for me and my office,” continued Senator Williams. “We want Pennsylvanians to know that their government can and should work for them. The House passing Rep. Burns’ bill is a great first step, and I hope the Senate will take up this important piece of legislation soon. Pennsylvania taxpayers deserve this measure of security and accountability.”
Both SB 38, sponsored by Senator Williams and Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill (R-York), and HB 1697 create a Pennsylvania version of the federal False Claims Act, which would protect and encourage whistleblowers to report the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer money. A federally-complaint FCA also entitles the state to a larger share in federal false claims lawsuits. Currently, 31 states have their own FCA; Pennsylvania is the largest state in the nation without its own FCA.
Senate Bill 38 is awaiting consideration in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Following its 136-67 vote passage on Wednesday, July 9, House Bill 1697 now moves to the Senate for committee consideration.
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