H.R. 1156

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To amend the CARES Act to extend the statute of limitations for fraud under certain unemployment programs, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · February 10, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Smith of Missouri · Committee: Committee on Ways and Means

Table of contents

• H.R. 1156
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Extension of the statute of limitations for fraud by individuals under certain unemployment programs
  • SEC. 3. Budget offset
  • SEC. 4. Effective date

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act.

SEC. 2. Extension of the statute of limitations for fraud by individuals under certain unemployment programs

• (a) Pandemic unemployment assistance
  • Section 2102 of the CARES Act () is amended— 15 U.S.C. 9021
    • by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and
      • (h) Statute of Limitations
        • Statute of Limitations
        • (1) In general
          • Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to paragraph (2), any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1028A, 1029, 1341, 1343, 1344, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code, or section 3729 or 3801 of title 31, United States Code, with respect to any unemployment compensation claim funded in whole or in part by pandemic unemployment assistance under this section shall be brought not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or conspiracy.
        • (2) Exception
          • Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the statute of limitations applicable to such criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action expired prior to the date of enactment of the .
    • by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:
• (b) Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation and Mixed Earner Unemployment compensation
  • Section 2104(f) of the CARES Act () is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 15 U.S.C. 9023(f)
    • (5) Statute of Limitations
      • Statute of Limitations
      • (A) In general
        • Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subparagraph (B), any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1028A, 1029, 1341, 1343, 1344, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code, or section 3729 or 3801 of title 31, United States Code, with respect to any unemployment compensation claim funded in whole or in part by Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation under this section shall be brought not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or conspiracy.
      • (B) Exception
        • Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the statute of limitations applicable to such criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action expired prior to the date of enactment of the .
• (c) Pandemic emergency unemployment compensation
  • Section 2107(e) of the CARES Act () is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 15 U.S.C. 9025(e)
    • (5) Statute of Limitations
      • Statute of Limitations
      • (A) In general
        • Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subparagraph (B), any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1028A, 1029, 1341, 1343, 1344, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code, or section 3729 or 3801 of title 31, United States Code, with respect to any unemployment compensation claim funded in whole or in part by Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation under this section shall be brought not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or conspiracy.
      • (B) Exception
        • Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the statute of limitations applicable to such criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action expired prior to the date of enactment of the .

SEC. 3. Budget offset

• Out of the unobligated balances of amounts made available by section 2118(a) of title II of division A of , as added by section 9032 of , $5,000,000 are hereby rescinded. Public Law 116–136; Public Law 117–2

SEC. 4. Effective date

• The amendments made by this Act shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.