MS False Claims Act; create.

HB 1707, the Mississippi False Claims Act, would create a state law prohibiting individuals and businesses from knowingly submitting false or fraudulent claims for payment to Mississippi state agencies or their agents. The bill establishes penalties including three times the state's damages plus $5,000-$10,000 per violation, and allows private citizens ("qui tam plaintiffs") to sue on behalf of the state and share in recovered funds. It requires state agencies to investigate suspected fraud, protects employees who report violations from retaliation, and mandates disclosure of false claims discovered after submission. The bill died in committee during the 2026 legislative session and did not become law.