Drummond praises Gov. Stitt for signing bill strengthening protections for vulnerable adults

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 15, 2024) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed his gratitude to Gov. Kevin Stitt today for signing into law House Bill 3668, which enhances Medicaid fraud protections and helps protect elderly and vulnerable adults.

The measure increases the statute of limitations for the sexual abuse of vulnerable adults to 12 years, making it consistent with all other categories of sexual abuse. The previous amount of time to report the crime had been only three years.

"These updates to Oklahoma's Medicaid fraud laws are needed to make certain we can protect our elderly and vulnerable adults, and Gov. Stitt deserves our gratitude for approving this new law," Drummond said. "I also appreciate Sen. Paul Rosino and Rep. Nicole Miller for authoring this important legislation and advocating these additional protections."

Drummond noted that patients who reside in a nursing home or with a caretaker may not have the cognitive ability necessary to convey abuse they have suffered, which can prolong the amount of time it takes to investigate and prosecute abusers.

Additionally, the bill targets a new trend of small-dollar fraudulent Medicaid claims by making them a felony offense. It also increases the punishment for failing to maintain Medicaid records to $10,000 or a fine of not more than three times the amount of payment claims. Punishment can now also include up to three years in prison.