Bill > HB948

This bill generally revises insurance laws to clarify that the Insurance Commissioner's office is not a criminal justice agency and must refer all criminal matters to appropriate law enforcement. Specifically, the bill amends three sections of Montana law to require that any criminal investigations or matters related to insurance fraud be referred to the Attorney General, the county attorney in the jurisdiction where a violation occurred, or another criminal justice agency with jurisdiction. The bill requires the Insurance Department to maintain the confidentiality of investigation materials while ensuring that potential criminal matters are properly forwarded to prosecuting authorities. To support this change, the bill includes a new appropriation of $250,000 from the general fund to the Attorney General's office for enforcing criminal insurance laws, with the changes set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The key purpose appears to be creating a clear separation between the Insurance Department's regulatory functions and criminal investigations, ensuring that potential criminal matters are handled by dedicated law enforcement agencies with the appropriate investigative and prosecutorial capabilities.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4274