MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2006 Regular Session

To: Insurance

By: Senator(s) Kirby

Senate Bill 2087

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 71-3-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT ANY EMPLOYEE WHO MAKES A FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF OBTAINING WORKERS' COMPENSATION BENEFITS, UPON DETERMINATION BY THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION, SHALL FORFEIT HIS RIGHT TO SUCH BENEFITS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 71-3-69, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     71-3-69.  (1)  Any person who willfully makes any false or misleading statement or representation for the purpose of obtaining or wrongfully withholding any benefit or payment under this chapter is guilty of a felony and on conviction thereof may be punished by a fine of not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or double the value of the fraud, whichever is greater, or by imprisonment not to exceed three (3) years, or by both fine and imprisonment. 

     (2)  Any employee who violates this section, upon determination by the commission, shall forfeit any right to compensation benefits under this chapter.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.