March 4, 2014, Introduced by Senators JONES, BOOHER, ROBERTSON, PROOS and SCHUITMAKER and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled
"The social welfare act,"
by amending section 43b (MCL 400.43b), as added by 2002 PA 573.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 43b. (1) An office of inspector general is established as
a
criminal justice agency in the family independence agency.
department. The primary duty of the inspector general is to
investigate cases of alleged fraud within the department. The
inspector general shall also perform the following activities:
(a) Investigate fraud, waste, and abuse in the programs
administered
by the family independence agency.department.
(b) Make referrals for prosecution and disposition of
appropriate cases as determined by the inspector general.
(c) Review administrative policies, practices, and procedures.
(d) Make recommendations to improve program integrity and
accountability.
(2) The director may appoint agents with limited arrest powers
for the enforcement of programs administered by the department. The
agents appointed under this section are agents of the department
office of inspector general and have all powers conferred upon
peace officers for the purpose of enforcing the general laws of
this state as they pertain to enforcement of this act. The director
may authorize agents of the office of inspector general to carry a
firearm.
(3) In addition to the limited arrest authority granted in
subsection (2), an agent of the office of inspector general, while
on duty, may arrest a person without a warrant if 1 or more of the
following circumstances exist:
(a) The agent has reasonable cause to believe that a felony
has been committed and reasonable cause to believe that the person
committed it.
(b) The agent has reasonable cause to believe a felony offense
for financial gain under section 159g(d) or 159g(e) of the Michigan
penal code, 1931 PA 328, MCL 750.159g, has been committed and
reasonable cause to believe that the person committed it.
(c) The agent has reasonable cause to believe that a felony
offense under section 300a of the Michigan penal code, 1931 PA 328,
MCL 750.300a, has been committed and reasonable cause to believe
that the person committed it.
(d) The agent has reasonable cause to believe that a felony
offense using a fraudulent device to obtain relief under section 60
has been committed and reasonable cause to believe that the person
committed it.
(e) The agent has received positive information by written,
telegraphic, teletypic, telephonic, radio, or other authoritative
source that a peace officer holds a warrant for the person's
arrest.