Louisiana 2024 2024 Regular Session

Louisiana Senate Bill SB369 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    RDCSB369 3264 3936
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services.  It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument.  The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.  [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
SB 369 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session	Bass
Present law provides for prohibited practices and sanctions for a person that commits
insurance fraud.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the 19th Judicial District Court, parish of East
Baton Rouge, as an appropriate venue for a matter arising out of a violation of present law.
Present law provides prohibited practices and sanctions for a person who commits
automobile insurance fraud.
Proposed law retains present law and adds the 19th Judicial District Court, parish of East
Baton Rouge, as an appropriate venue for a matter arising out of a violation of present law.
Present law authorizes the commissioner of insurance (commissioner) to assess an insurer
a fraud assessment fee to support the costs of an investigation, enforcement, public
education, public awareness, and prosecution of insurance fraud in this state.
On or after Jan. 1, 2004, present law requires the fraud assessment fee to be reduced by the
amount of the excess proportion if an insurer is assessed a fraud assessment fee that exceeds
5% of the cumulative cost for the previous year.
Proposed law retains present law but makes technical changes including removing the
effective date that has passed.
Present law authorizes the commissioner to withhold up to $30,000 per year from the fees
collected to defray the costs of collecting the fee, enforcement, and operation of the Dept.
of Insurance.  Further requires the commissioner to withhold $187,000 of the fraud
assessment fee to fund the La. Automobile Theft and Insurance Fraud Prevention Authority
(LATIFPA).
Proposed law retains present law but removes funding for LATIFPA and provides that the
funds are to be used to fund insurance fraud detection, investigation, and public awareness. 
Present law requires the fraud assessment fee to be used to support the costs of an
investigation, enforcement, public education, public awareness, and prosecution of insurance
fraud in this state, and requires the fraud assessment fee to be allocated as follows: 
(1) 75% to the insurance fraud investigation unit within the office of state police.
(2) 15% to the Dept. of Justice for the insurance fraud support unit.
(3)10% to the Dept. of Insurance for the insurance fraud section.
Proposed law retains present law but adds that the purpose of the assessment fee is to support
the costs of an investigation, enforcement, public education, public awareness, and
prosecution of insurance fraud in this state.  Requires the funds to be allocated to the
insurance fraud investigation unit within the state police, the insurance fraud support unit
within the Dept. of Justice, the section of insurance fraud within the Dept. of Insurance, and
other state agencies that enter into a written agreement with the superintendent of state
police, the attorney general, and the commissioner on or before Sept. 30, 2024. 
Present law creates the Insurance Fraud Investigation Dedicated Fund Account (account),
and requires the account to be appropriated, administered, and used solely and exclusively
for purposes of the fraud unit, fraud support unit, insurance fraud section, and LATIFPA.
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Proposed law retains present law but removes LATIFPA.
Proposed law relative to venue becomes effective upon signature of the governor or lapse
of time for gubernatorial action.
Proposed law relative to insurance fraud becomes effective on Sept. 1, 2024.
(Amends R.S. 40:1428(A)(3) and (4) and (C); Adds R.S. 22:1924(C) and 1925(D); Repeals
R.S. 40:1429)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Insurance to the original
bill
1. Makes a technical change.
2. Restores present law that allocates funds to certain agencies for the sole
purpose of supporting the costs of an investigation, enforcement, public
education, public awareness, and prosecution of insurance fraud in this state.
3. Changes the effective date.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Insurance to the
engrossed bill:
1. Make technical changes.
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