Topeka ? Cracking down on Medicaid fraud and protecting disabled and mentally ill Kansans from abuse and neglect are the goals behind two bills signed by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

One law, taking effect May 25, creates a unit in the attorney general’s office to prosecute suspected abuse cases.

The measure was prompted by revelations about a group home in Newton whose operators were convicted of abusing the mentally ill adults in their care.

Concerns that the state is losing millions of dollars to Medicaid fraud each year inspired the second law, taking effect July 1. Medicaid covers medical services for poor Kansans.

The new law clarifies that the crime of receiving illegal kickbacks, bribes or rebates applies to providers as well as Medicaid recipients.

It also makes it a crime to divide or share illegally obtained Medicaid funds or to obstruct a Medicaid fraud investigation.