(a) There is hereby created within the office of the attorney general a medicaid fraud and abuse division.

(b) The medicaid fraud and abuse division shall be the same entity to which all cases of suspected medicaid fraud shall be referred by the Kansas department for children and families, Kansas department for aging and disability services and the department of health and environment, or such departments’ fiscal agents, for the purpose of investigation, criminal prosecution or referral to the district or county attorney for criminal prosecution.

(c) In carrying out these responsibilities, the attorney general shall have:

(1) All the powers necessary to comply with the federal laws and regulations relative to the operation of the medicaid fraud and abuse division;

(2) the power to investigate and criminally prosecute violations of Kan. Stat. Ann. 2023 Supp. 21-5926 through 21-5934, 75-725 and 75-726, and amendments thereto;

(3) the power to cross-designate assistant United States attorneys as assistant attorneys general;

(4) the power to issue, serve or cause to be issued or served subpoenas or other process in aid of investigations and prosecutions;

(5) the power to administer oaths and take sworn statements under penalty of perjury;

(6) the power to serve and execute in any county, search warrants which relate to investigations authorized by Kan. Stat. Ann. 2023 Supp. 21-5926 through 21-5934, 75-725 and 75-726, and amendments thereto; and

(7) the powers of a district or county attorney.