H.R. 8428: Federal Fraud Prevention Workforce Training Act

This bill, known as the Federal Fraud Prevention Workforce Training Act, aims to enhance the training of federal employees involved in the administration of federal programs to prevent fraud and improper payments. It introduces several key components:

Establishment of an Antifraud Training Program

The bill mandates the creation of a program for antifraud and improper payment prevention training. This program will be developed by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in collaboration with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. The program will be comprehensive and cover:

• Identifying and assessing risks of fraud and improper payments in federal programs.
• Utilizing various resources to manage and mitigate these risks.
• Using established systems like the Do Not Pay system to prevent fraud.
• Implementing reporting mechanisms for suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
• Establishing internal controls to safeguard against improper payments and fraud.

Mandatory Participation

All federal agency heads are required to ensure that certain employees, including program administrators and financial managers, complete this training within 180 days of their appointment. After this initial training, these employees must undergo refresher training every two years.

The Office of Personnel Management will handle the certification of training completion and maintain records of these certifications.

Extension to State and Local Entities

The training program will also be made available to employees of state, local, and tribal governments who administer federally funded programs. The Secretary of the Treasury will offer technical assistance to help these entities incorporate the training standards into their operations. Additionally, as a condition for receiving federal grants, state and local administrators may be required to complete the training program.

Accountability and Reporting

The Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget must provide a report on the program’s implementation to Congress within two years of the bill’s enactment and annually thereafter. This report will include details on participation rates and evaluations of the program's effectiveness in reducing fraud.

Funding

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $5 million annually starting from fiscal year 2027 to support the training program's operations.

Effective Date

The provisions of this bill will take effect 180 days after its enactment, with the possibility for the Secretary of the Treasury to issue regulations necessary for its implementation before the effective date.

Relevant Companies

None found