The bill authorizes a district attorney or a deputy or assistant
district attorney, in investigating a complaint alleging a violation of consumer protection laws, to request records from a state or local licensing authority (licensing authority) for information regarding a person that the licensing authority regulates (regulated person) and that is the subject of the complaint if the complaint alleges:
•
The complainant suffered damages in an amount of at least $20,000 and the district attorney determines the amount alleged appears to be reasonable in relation to the alleged conduct forming the basis of the complaint; or
•
Two or more regulated persons jointly engaged in conduct that forms the basis of the complaint.
The licensing authority shall share with, and allow inspection of
its records by, the district attorney upon receipt of such request if the licensing authority has already determined not to take action against the regulated person or persons.
Additionally, the bill authorizes a state licensing authority, subject
to approval by the head of the executive department in which the state licensing authority is located, to enter into an interagency agreement with the attorney general or the attorney general's designee for the referral of complaints alleging violations of consumer protection laws.
