False claims and reporting procedure.

A. A civil action shall be brought within the limitations set forth in Section 37-1-4 NMSA 1978. B. In any action brought pursuant to the Medicaid False Claims Act, the department or the person bringing the action shall be required to prove all essential elements of the cause of action, including damages, by a preponderance of the evidence. C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a final judgment rendered in favor of the department in any criminal proceeding charging fraud or false statements, whether upon a verdict after trial or upon a plea of guilty, shall preclude the defendant from denying the essential elements of the offense in any action that involves the same transaction as in the criminal proceeding and that is brought pursuant to the Medicaid False Claims Act.