The Florida Senate

440.1051  Fraud reports; civil immunity; criminal penalties.--

(1)  The Bureau of Workers' Compensation Insurance Fraud of the Division of Insurance Fraud of the Department of Insurance shall establish a toll-free telephone number to receive reports of workers' compensation fraud committed by an employee, employer, insurance provider, physician, attorney, or other person.

(2)  Any person who reports workers' compensation fraud to the division under subsection (1) is immune from civil liability for doing so, and the person or entity alleged to have committed the fraud may not retaliate against him or her for providing such report, unless the person making the report knows it to be false.

(3)  A person who calls and, knowingly and falsely, reports workers' compensation fraud or who, in violation of subsection (2) retaliates against a person for making such report, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, or both.

History.--s. 13, ch. 93-415; s. 106, ch. 97-103.