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Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
1996 SESSION
961031288WHEREAS, it is estimated that fraudulent claims result in losses to insurers of $20,000,000 each year, and that amount is reflected in the rates established for the payment of premiums by policyholders; and
WHEREAS, the problem of fraud has become so prevalent that insurers have established special investigative units to identify fraudulent claims; and
WHEREAS, the problem of fraudulent claims is on the increase; and
WHEREAS, thousands of claims made under policies issued in the Commonwealth of Virginia are investigated as potential fraud claims each year; and
WHEREAS, local law-enforcement authorities are burdened with the investigation of a multitude of crimes and are sometimes unable to provide investigators with expertise in insurance fraud; and
WHEREAS, insurance fraud may be a result of organized activity involving multiple claims and multiple jurisdictions; and
[ WHEREAS, consumers also have a legitimate interest and concern about alleged fraudulent practices by insurers; and ]
WHEREAS, many other states have established fraud bureaus within their insurance regulatory agencies; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That a joint
subcommittee be established to study whether an insurance fraud bureau should
be established in the Commonwealth, what classes or lines of insurance should
be subject to investigation by such bureau, what powers should be granted fraud
bureau investigators, and how such bureau should be funded. The joint
subcommittee shall consist of [ thirteen fifteen ] members: four
members from the House of Delegates to be appointed by the Speaker of the
House; three members from the Senate to be appointed by the Senate Committee on
Privileges and Elections; one representative of the Office of the Secretary of
Public Safety; one representative of the State Corporation Commission; two
representatives of property and casualty insurers; [ two representatives of
consumers of insurance; ] one representative of life and health insurers; and
one representative designated by the Association of Commonwealth Attorneys.
The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,600.
The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Office of the Secretary of Public Safety and the State Corporation Commission. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.
The joint subcommittee shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 1997 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.
Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.