Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act

This bill would extend the statute of limitations from 5 to 10 years for federal criminal charges and civil enforcement actions involving fraud within COVID-19 pandemic unemployment insurance programs. These extended timelines would apply to cases of identity theft, wire fraud, and false claims, provided the original statute of limitations has not already expired at the time of enactment. Additionally, the bill proposes to rescind certain unspent funds previously allocated to the Department of Labor for anti-fraud and program integrity activities.

This bill affects individuals and entities subject to federal criminal charges or civil enforcement actions involving fraud within pandemic-era unemployment insurance programs. It also impacts the Department of Labor, as the bill rescinds specific unobligated funds previously allocated to the agency for anti-fraud and program integrity activities.

• Extension of statute of limitations for pandemic unemployment fraud. The bill increases the statute of limitations from 5 to 10 years for federal criminal charges and civil enforcement actions related to fraud in specific COVID-19 unemployment insurance programs.
• Scope of covered offenses and programs. The extension applies to criminal charges such as wire fraud and identity theft, as well as civil false claims, involving programs like Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation.
• Limitation on retroactive application. The extended statute of limitations does not apply to criminal prosecutions or civil actions if the previous statute of limitations expired before the bill's enactment.
• Rescission of Department of Labor funds. The bill cancels specific unobligated funds previously allocated to the Department of Labor under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for program integrity and anti-fraud activities.

• H.R. 1156, Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act
  Feb 24, 2025 · As ordered reported by the House Committee on Ways and Means on February 12, 2025

The extension of the statute of limitations takes effect upon the bill's enactment, though it does not apply to cases where the previous statute of limitations expired prior to that date.

The bill extends the statute of limitations for criminal and civil fraud actions related to unemployment programs established during the COVID-19 pandemic and rescinds unobligated funds previously allocated to the Department of Labor by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The bill aims to enhance the federal government's ability to prosecute and recover funds from fraud involving COVID-19 pandemic unemployment insurance programs by doubling the statute of limitations for related criminal and civil enforcement actions to 10 years. Additionally, it seeks to adjust federal spending by rescinding certain unobligated funds previously allocated for labor-related anti-fraud and program integrity activities.