(1)    In this section, “public assistance program” means any program administered by the department of health services or the department of children and families under this chapter under which the department administering the program provides services, benefits, or other assistance to individuals or families.

   (2)   The department of justice or the district attorney may institute, manage, control, and direct, in the proper county, any prosecution for violation of criminal laws affecting a public assistance program, including laws in this chapter, chs. 939 to 951 relating to Medical Assistance, Wisconsin Works, the food stamp program, or any other public assistance program, and laws affecting the health, safety, and welfare of public assistance program recipients. For this purpose the department of justice shall have and exercise all powers conferred upon district attorneys in such cases. If a prosecution under this section involves a person holding a license granted by the medical examining board or an interested affiliated credentialing board, the department of justice or district attorney shall notify the medical examining board or the interested affiliated credentialing board of the prosecution.