53-2-501. Investigations and enforcement actions by department of justice. (1) When requested by the department of public health and human services, the department of justice shall:

(a) investigate matters relating to public assistance and vendor payments, including but not limited to the claim for an acceptance of public assistance benefits by public assistance recipients and the receipt and disbursal of public assistance funds by state, county, or other governmental agencies;

(b) institute civil or criminal actions in the appropriate courts to enforce the public assistance laws and violations thereof.

(2) For purposes of the enforcement of and investigations relating to laws governing public assistance and vendor payments, the department of justice is a criminal justice agency, as defined in 44-5-103, and employees designated by the department have peace officer status with the powers of search, seizure, and arrest.