North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven (R)has signed a bill creating a new anti-fraud agency within the state insurance department. The bill also strengthens penalties for convicted swindlers. Under the new law, which takes effect August 1, insurers must report any suspected scams to the new unit, with insurers receiving broad immunity when reporting fraud. The Washington, D.C. based Coalition Against Insurance Fraud says it will next try to get a similar law enacted in the state of Alabama.

April 29, 2003