HB2430 - 451R - House Bill Summary

House of Representatives

HB 2430

fraud unit; peace officer status

Sponsors: Representative Carpenter

W/D	Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance
DP	Committee on Retirement and Government Operations
DP	Caucus and COW
X	As Passed the House

HB 2430 allows the Director of the Department of Insurance to employ investigators for the fraud unit who serve as peace officers. The bill prohibits investigators of the fraud unit from participating in the public safety retirement system.

History

The fraud unit was established in the Department of Insurance in 1994. The fraud unit is charged with investigating fraud and other related crimes. Currently, fraud unit investigators have the same administrative powers as the Department’s personnel who investigate licensing offenses. When the fraud unit engages in an investigation that requires police authority, fraud unit investigators must work in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety to carry out those tasks. Tasks that must be performed by the Department of Public Safety include making arrests, serving search warrants and seizing evidence.

Provisions

· Authorizes the Director to employ investigators for the fraud unit who serve as peace officers while acting in the course of employment for the Department.

· Requires the Director to adopt DPS procedures regarding the conduct of its investigators who obtain peace officer status.

· Requires fraud unit investigators to meet qualifications by the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board.

· Prohibits fraud unit investigators from being eligible to participate in the public safety retirement system on the basis of being a part of the fraud unit alone.

HB 2430 was withdrawn from the Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee.

HB 2430 passed the Retirement and Government Operations Committee unamended.

HB 2430 passed the Committee of the Whole unamended.

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44th Legislature