(1) When requested by the department, the department of justice shall have the power and duty to:

(a) investigate matters relating to low income energy assistance including, but not limited to, the claim for an acceptance of benefits by recipients and the receipt and disbursal of funds by the department or the local contractor; and

(b) institute civil and criminal actions in the appropriate courts to enforce the welfare laws with respect to low income energy assistance and violations thereof.

(2) The audit and compliance bureau is the liaison between the department and the department of justice. Referrals of fraud and requests for investigation must be sent to the Department of Public Health and Human Services, Quality Assurance Division, Audit and Compliance Bureau, 2401 Colonial Drive, P.O. Box 202953, Helena, MT 59620-2953, before they are referred to the department of justice. When the department of justice makes a direct request to the local contractor for case information, the information may be sent directly to the department of justice.