NOTE: Pursuant to R.S. 22:1931.13, this Section terminates on July 1, 2024.

§1931.3. Civil actions authorized

            A. No person shall knowingly commit any fraudulent insurance act as defined in R.S. 22:1923 or violate any provision of R.S. 22:1924.

            B. The attorney general may institute a civil action in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for the parish of East Baton Rouge to seek recovery from any person or persons who violate any provision of R.S. 22:1924. Each violation may be treated as a separate violation or may be combined into one violation at the option of the attorney general.

            C. An action by a prevailing defendant to recover costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees shall be ancillary to and shall be brought and heard in the same court as the civil action brought pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B of this Section.

            D. A prevailing defendant may seek recovery only for costs, expenses, fees, and attorney fees if the court finds, following a contradictory hearing, that either of the following applies:

            (1) The action was instituted by the attorney general pursuant to Subsection A of this Section after it should have been determined by the attorney general to be frivolous, vexatious, or brought primarily for the purpose of harassment.

            (2) The attorney general proceeded with an action properly instituted pursuant to Subsection A of this Section after it should have been determined by the attorney general that proceeding would be frivolous, vexatious, or for the purpose of harassment.

            E. Any action brought pursuant to the provisions of this Part shall be filed in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court for the parish of East Baton Rouge.

            Acts 2012, No. 862, §1.