Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act

The Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act would amend federal childcare assistance law to strengthen enforcement against fraudulent providers. If enacted, the bill would establish mandatory permanent debarment from all federally funded childcare assistance programs for any provider convicted of fraud, require states to reimburse the Department of Health and Human Services for fraudulently obtained funds, and mandate automatic referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution. The bill would also impose immigration-related consequences for non-citizen childcare providers convicted of fraud, potentially making them deportable or ineligible for asylum.

The bill was introduced in response to reported fraud cases involving childcare assistance programs in Minnesota. Currently, the bill is in committee consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee and has not yet been voted on by the full Senate. If passed by both chambers and signed by the President, these provisions would apply to the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant program, which provides childcare assistance to families nationwide.