False Claims Amendments Act of 1986

Summary

Amends the False Claims Act to increase the civil penalty for false claims. Provides that "knowing," for purposes of the prohibition, means the defendant: (1) had actual knowledge; or (2) had constructive knowledge, in that the defendant acted in reckless disregard of the truth. Allows an action to be brought in the judicial district where the defendant (or, in the case of multiple defendants, where any one defendant) is found, resides, transacts business, or where the violation allegedly occurred. Authorizes the Government to intervene in a civil action for false claims after the 60-day notice period has expired if the Government can demonstrate that it came into possession of new material evidence or information. Requires the Court to dismiss an action brought by an individual under this section, unless the Government proceeds with its own action within 60 days after notification, if it finds that: (1) the action is based on specific information the Government disclosed as a basis for allegations made in prior administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings; or (2) the action is based on information disclosed during a congressional investigation or disseminated by the news media. Establishes minimum award portions from the proceeds of an action or settlement to individuals who bring claims under such Act. Entitles an employee retaliated against by an employer for his or her participation under such Act to full relief, including: (1) reinstatement with seniority rights; (2) backpay with interest; and (3) full compensation for any special damages. Allows the court to grant punitive damages as appropriate. Establishes as the burden of proof in civil false claim cases proof by a preponderance of the evidence. Amends the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure with regard to the exceptions from the prohibition against disclosure of grand jury proceedings. Allows disclosure in certain circumstances for enforcement of Federal criminal and civil law and State criminal law. Authorizes disclosure to any Federal department or agency for the enforcement of Federal civil law or for a matter within the jurisdiction of such department or agency. Amends the Federal criminal code to increase the penalties for the criminal offense of conspiring to defraud the Government with respect to false claims.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

1. 1 August 1985

   Introduced

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

   Source: IntroReferral

2. 1 August 1985

   Introduced

   Introduced in Senate

   Source: IntroReferral

3. 22 August 1985

   Referred

   Committee on Judiciary. Referred jointly to the Subcommittee on Criminal Law.

   Source: Committee

4. 17 September 1985

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Administrative Practice&Procedure. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 99-452.

   Source: Committee

5. 22 October 1985

   Committee

   Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Justice Department.

   Source: Committee

6. 7 November 1985

   Committee

   Subcommittee on Administrative Practice&Procedure. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

   Source: Committee

7. 19 November 1985

   Committee

   Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held on Section 5.

   Source: Committee

8. 20 November 1985

   Committee

   Committee on Judiciary. Subcommittee on Criminal Law discharged from further consideration.

   Source: Committee

9. 11 December 1985

   Committee

   Committee on Judiciary received executive comment from Justice Department.

   Source: Committee

10. 12 December 1985

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

11. 28 July 1986

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 742.

    Source: Calendars

12. 28 July 1986

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 99-345.

    Source: Committee

13. 28 July 1986

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Thurmond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 99-345.

    Source: Committee

14. 11 August 1986

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

15. 11 August 1986

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

16. 15 August 1986

    Introduced

    Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

17. 2 September 1986

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.

    Source: Committee

18. 9 September 1986

    Passed

    Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

19. 9 September 1986

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Floor

20. 9 September 1986

    Floor

    Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

21. 9 September 1986

    Discharge

    House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Discharge

22. 9 September 1986

    Committee

    House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Committee

23. 10 September 1986

    Floor

    Message on House action received in Senate and held at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.

    Source: Floor

24. 3 October 1986

    ResolvingDifferences

    Senate concurred in the House amendment with an amendment (SP 3214) by Voice Vote.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

25. 3 October 1986

    NotUsed

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate concurred in the House amendment with an amendment (SP 3214) by Voice Vote.

    Source: NotUsed

26. 3 October 1986

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

27. 7 October 1986

    Passed

    House Agreed to Senate Amendments to House Amendments by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

28. 7 October 1986

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- House actions: House Agreed to Senate Amendments to House Amendments by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: NotUsed

29. 17 October 1986

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

30. 17 October 1986

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

31. 17 October 1986

    Floor

    Measure Signed in Senate.

    Source: Floor

32. 27 October 1986

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

33. 27 October 1986

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 99-562.

    Source: President

34. 27 October 1986

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

No version snapshots stored. Document URLs remain at the source.

Documents

6 official files

• Public Law (PDF)

  Public Law · EN · 28 October 1986

  ViewDownloadOpen at official source

• Senate agreed to House amendment with amendment

  summary · EN · 3 October 1986

  Open at official source

• Passed House amended

  summary · EN · 9 September 1986

  Open at official source

• Passed Senate amended

  summary · EN · 11 August 1986

  Open at official source

• Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

  summary · EN · 28 July 1986

  Open at official source

• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 1 August 1985

  Open at official source

Sponsors

• Chuck Grassley · R · Sponsor
• Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI] · D · Sponsor
• Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Cohen, William S. [R-ME-2] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] · R · Cosponsor
• Rep. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT-2] · D · Cosponsor
• Rep. Andrews, Mark [R-ND-At Large] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Roth Jr., William V. [R-DE] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Pryor, David H. [D-AR] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Rockefeller, John D., IV [D-WV] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Denton, Jeremiah [R-AL] · R · Cosponsor
• Sen. Boren, David L. [D-OK] · D · Cosponsor
• Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH] · D · Cosponsor
• · hsju00 · Standing
• · ssju00 · Standing

Related records

• related to → False Claims Amendments Act of 1986
• related to → A bill to amend the False Claims Act, and title 18 of the United States Code regarding penalties for false claims, and for other purposes.