WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor                            Ch. 538

(6) IN COOPERATION WITH THE MARYLAND INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION
AND THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE, CONDUCT PUBLIC OUTREACH AND AWARENESS
PROGRAMS ON THE COSTS OF INSURANCE FRAUD TO THE PUBLIC.

6-204.

(A) (1) PRIOR TO PROSECUTION, THE FRAUD DIVISION SHALL PRESENT ANY
EVIDENCE OF ALLEGED INSURANCE FRAUD TO THE LOCAL STATE'S ATTORNEY IN THE
JURISDICTION WHERE THE ALLEGED ACTS OF INSURANCE FRAUD TOOK PLACE.

(2) THE LOCAL STATE'S ATTORNEY MAY:

(I) INVESTIGATE ANY PERSON SUSPECTED OF ENGAGING IN
INSURANCE FRAUD; AND

(II) WHERE APPROPRIATE AFTER AN INVESTIGATION, CRIMINALLY
PROSECUTE A PERSON FOR INSURANCE FRAUD.

(B) (1) IF, WITHIN 30 DAYS OF THE PRESENTATION OF A CASE UNDER
SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS SECTION, THE STATE'S ATTORNEY FAILS TO NOTIFY THE
FRAUD DIVISION IN WRITING OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S INTENTION TO PROSECUTE
THE CASE, THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE A
PERSON FOR INSURANCE FRAUD.

(2) IF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY HAS NOT INITIATED A PROSECUTION WITHIN
90 DAYS AFTER THE PRESENTATION OF A CASE UNDER SUBSECTION (A) OF THIS
SECTION, THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY CRIMINALLY PROSECUTE A
PERSON FOR INSURANCE FRAUD.

(C) IN CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION UNDER THIS SUBTITLE, THE INSURANCE
FRAUD DIVISION SHALL COOPERATE AND CONSULT AS NECESSARY WITH THE
INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION THE STATE'S ATTORNEYS, THE MARYLAND STATE POLICE,
THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION,
AND OTHER APPROPRIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS.

(D) (1) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL ASSIGN ONE OR MORE ASSISTANT
ATTORNEYS GENERAL TO ASSIST THE INSURANCE FRAUD DIVISION IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES.

(2) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL ANNUALLY REPORT TO THE
INSURANCE ADMINISTRATION AS TO ALL REFERRED FRAUD CASES, DETAILING ANY
GENERAL UNDERLYING FACTORS THAT MAY ASSIST IN OR IMPROVE THE ATTORNEY
GENERAL'S ABILITY TO PROSECUTE ANY FUTURE FRAUD CASES.

6-205.

(A) FUNDING FOR THE FRAUD DIVISION SHALL BE AS PROVIDED IN THE STATE
BUDGET.

(B) THE GOVERNOR SHALL INCLUDE IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE OFFICE
OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AN APPROPRIATION SUFFICIENT FOR THE OFFICE OF
ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CARRY OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBTITLE.

- 2695 -