FL H0171

Authorizes the Department of Financial Services to administer oaths and affirmations during public assistance fraud investigations.

Grants the department authority to issue and serve subpoenas for witness attendance and production of business records, books, papers, correspondences, memoranda, and other records.

Allows department-designated representatives to serve subpoenas, and permits courts with jurisdiction in the inquiry's geographical area to compel compliance with subpoenas.

Makes persons who refuse to obey a subpoena liable for costs and reasonable attorney fees incurred by the department to obtain a court order enforcing the subpoena.

Establishes that failure to comply with a court order enforcing a subpoena may be punished as civil or criminal contempt.

Takes effect July 1, 2014.