Criminal anti-fraud division; powers and duties

(a) There is hereby established within the insurance department a criminal anti-fraud division of the Kansas insurance department. The criminal anti-fraud division shall accept information and complaints regarding possible insurance fraud. The criminal anti-fraud division shall also investigate possible violations of Kansas criminal statutes pertaining to and related to insurance fraud. The criminal anti-fraud division shall prepare and refer criminal cases to the attorney general, or in consultation with the attorney general to the proper county or district attorney, who may, in such prosecutor's discretion, with or without such a reference, institute the appropriate criminal proceedings under the laws of this state. The commissioner may pay extradition and witness expenses and other costs associated with the case. (b) Complaints of insurance fraud shall be accepted from Kansas consumers, other divisions within the insurance department, other state and federal law enforcement agencies, and insurance companies. The criminal anti-fraud division's investigators shall prepare clear and concise reports concerning investigations and preserve evidence. (c) The criminal anti-fraud division shall assist in the preparation and presentation of criminal cases as requested by the attorney general or county or district attorney. The criminal anti-fraud division shall perform other such duties in the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of insurance fraud as may be necessary. Such preparation may include affidavits, interviews, preservation of evidence and securing the attendance of individuals involved in the case. In presenting the prosecution's case, members of the criminal anti-fraud division may testify as to the facts of the case.