The House Judiciary Committee also heard Rep. Koch’s HB 1102 concerning patent protection. The bill addresses bad faith demand letters asserting claims of patent infringement, commonly known as “patent troll activity”. The bill provides for the Attorney General or private action to address bad faith claim letters, enforcement and remedies, and factors the court should consider in eva … [Read more...] about Patent protection
cause of action
Medicaid fraud
The House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard HB 1401 regarding Medicaid fraud authored by Rep. Washburne and Rep. Bacon. This bill clarifies current law by including knowingly or intentionally making, uttering, presenting, or causing to be presented to the Medicaid program a Medicaid claim that is false or misleading to the definition of Medicaid fraud. Rep. Washburne … [Read more...] about Medicaid fraud
Wage payment and wage assignment
The House Judiciary heard HB 1469 concerning wage payment and wage assignment, authored by Rep. Ober. This bill provides that an employer who fails to make timely payment of wages or withholds wages in bad faith, may, in addition to the wages due, pay liquidated damages, court costs, and a reasonable fee for the employee's attorney. It provides that an employee may assign wages for: … [Read more...] about Wage payment and wage assignment
Religious exemption in state and local contracts
The Civil Law Committee heard SB 127 authored by Sen. Holdman on religious exemption in state and local contracts. The bill provides that any state and local contract with a religious-based organization executed after June 30, 2015, must include a provision authorizing the religious-based organization to give employment preference to individuals of a particular religion or to … [Read more...] about Religious exemption in state and local contracts
Debt collection
The Civil Law Committee heard SB 211 authored by Sen. Patricia Miller on debt collection. The bill was prepared at the request of Attorney General Zoeller amending the deceptive consumer sales statutes to further consumer protection efforts. A representative from the Office of the Attorney General testified that the bill (1) defines “debt buyer;” (2) enhances the debt collector’s req … [Read more...] about Debt collection