Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act

This bill, known as the "Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act," aims to reduce fraud and improper payments in federally funded financial assistance and public benefit programs. It amends Title 31 of the U.S. Code to establish new authorities for federal agencies and the Department of the Treasury to intervene in payment processes.

Under the bill, agencies are required to temporarily delay, condition, or segment payment disbursement requests if an official determines there is an elevated risk of fraud based on a fraud-risk indicator or an improper payment. The Secretary of the Treasury can also order agencies to return certified payment vouchers if a payment presents an elevated fraud risk or if the payee is flagged in the Do Not Pay system or other validation programs.

Any corrective action taken by an agency must be based on objective, documented fraud-risk indicators, narrowly applied to the high-risk portion of the payment, and limited in duration. Agencies must provide prompt notice to affected payees, explaining the reason for the pause and outlining a process for review and contestation. Payments must generally be issued within 45 days of the initial determination or 7 days after a successful contest.

To minimize disruption, agencies are encouraged to allow routine, historically consistent payment amounts to proceed while only holding the anomalous or high-risk portions. The bill also includes exemptions for law enforcement activities to avoid jeopardizing active criminal investigations. Federal officers and employees are protected from personal liability for actions taken in good faith under these provisions, and the Secretary of the Treasury is mandated to issue regulations to administer these requirements.