Citations Affected: IC 4-6; IC 16-37; IC 24-4.7; IC 24-5; IC 24-9;
IC 25-1; IC 25-22.5; IC 27-4; IC 27-7; IC 27-8; IC 27-13.
January 12, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
January 20, 2011, amended, reported _ Do Pass.
January 24, 2011, read second time, amended, ordered engrossed.
January 25, 2011, engrossed.
January 31, 2011, read third time, passed. Yeas 96, nays 0.
telephone number or an Indiana identification number; in order to include within the protections afforded by the statute subscribers of interconnected VOIP service, subscribers of mobile telecommunications services, and users of a prepaid wireless calling service. Requires the attorney general's consumer protection division (division) to notify Indiana residents of the right of any of those subscribers or users to place a telephone number on the listing. Provides that for purposes of the same statute, a "telephone sales call" includes, in addition to calls made through automated dialing or recorded message devices, transmission of the following: (1) Text or graphic messages using short message service (SMS). (2) Images, photographs, or multimedia messages through multimedia messaging service (MMS). Authorizes the medical licensing board of Indiana (board) to investigate and assess civil penalties for specified violations by licensed physicians. Requires the division to forward complaints for specified violations to the board unless certain circumstances are met. Establishes the physician compliance fund consisting of penalties assessed and collected by the board for violations determined by the board through investigations. Specifies reporting requirements of penalties and prohibits the board from reporting specified administrative penalties. Amends the statute concerning deceptive consumer sales to: (1) provide that a violation of the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a deceptive act that is actionable by the attorney general under the statute (but that is not subject to an action by an individual or to a class action); and (2) include cross references to certain consumer protection statutes, the violation of which constitutes a deceptive act subject to the penalties and remedies set forth in the statute. Limits the civil penalty that the attorney general may recover for a violation of the FDCPA to $1,000 per consumer. Specifies that for purposes of the statute governing home loan practices, a "deceptive act" includes a knowing or intentional misrepresentation made regarding real estate transactions, as well as mortgage transactions. Provides that the statute requiring the department of insurance (department) to establish and maintain an electronic system for the collection and storage of certain information about persons participating in or assisting with certain residential mortgage transactions also applies in the case of residential real estate transactions that: (1) do not involve a mortgage transaction; and (2) are closed by a closing agent after December 31, 2011. Requires certain additional information about residential mortgage transactions and residential real estate transactions to be collected and stored in the system.
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade
regulation.
3.1(c) of this chapter; and
(2) recklessly violates or fails to comply with this chapter;
is subject only to sanctions under IC 25-1-9-4(a)(3).
(d) The state department may not begin sanctioning a person for
failing to submit a document in electronic format as required in
section 3.1 of this chapter until January 1, 2012.
representative of where the subscriber's use of the telephone
service primarily occurs, which must be:
(1) the residential street address of the subscriber or, in the
case of a subscriber of interconnected VOIP service, the
subscriber's registered location (as defined in 47 CFR 9.3);
and
(2) in the case of mobile telecommunications services (as
defined in IC 6-8.1-15-7), within the licensed service area of
the home service provider, as set forth in IC 6-8.1-15-8.
under section 1 of this chapter:
(1) Subscribers of interconnected VOIP service.
(2) Subscribers of mobile telecommunications service (as
defined in IC 6-8.1-15-7).
(3) Users of a prepaid wireless calling service, as described in
IC 24-4.7-2-2(b).
structured settlement payment rights.
(9) "Pyramid promotional scheme" means any program utilizing
a pyramid or chain process by which a participant in the program
gives a valuable consideration exceeding one hundred dollars
($100) for the opportunity or right to receive compensation or
other things of value in return for inducing other persons to
become participants for the purpose of gaining new participants
in the program. The term does not include ordinary sales of goods
or services to persons who are not purchasing in order to
participate in such a scheme.
(10) "Promoting a pyramid promotional scheme" means:
(A) inducing or attempting to induce one (1) or more other
persons to become participants in a pyramid promotional
scheme; or
(B) assisting another in promoting a pyramid promotional
scheme.
(11) "Elderly person" means an individual who is at least
sixty-five (65) years of age.
(12) "Telephone facsimile machine" means equipment that has
the capacity to transcribe text or images, or both, from:
(A) paper into an electronic signal and to transmit that signal
over a regular telephone line; or
(B) an electronic signal received over a regular telephone line
onto paper.
(13) "Unsolicited advertisement" means material advertising the
commercial availability or quality of:
(A) property;
(B) goods; or
(C) services;
that is transmitted to a person without the person's prior express
invitation or permission, in writing or otherwise.
(14) "Debt" has the meaning set forth in 15 U.S.C. 1692a(5)).
(b) As used in section 3(a)(15) and 3(a)(16) of this chapter:
(1) "Directory assistance" means the disclosure of telephone
number information in connection with an identified telephone
service subscriber by means of a live operator or automated
service.
(2) "Local telephone directory" refers to a telephone classified
advertising directory or the business section of a telephone
directory that is distributed by a telephone company or directory
publisher to subscribers located in the local exchanges contained
in the directory. The term includes a directory that includes
listings of more than one (1) telephone company.
(3) "Local telephone number" refers to a telephone number that
has the three (3) number prefix used by the provider of telephone
service for telephones physically located within the area covered
by the local telephone directory in which the number is listed. The
term does not include long distance numbers or 800-, 888-, or
900- exchange numbers listed in a local telephone directory.
for giving the supplier the names of prospective consumers or
otherwise helping the supplier to enter into other consumer
transactions, if earning the benefit, rebate, or discount is
contingent upon the occurrence of an event subsequent to the time
the consumer agrees to the purchase or lease.
(10) That the supplier is able to deliver or complete the subject of
the consumer transaction within a stated period of time, when the
supplier knows or should reasonably know the supplier could not.
If no time period has been stated by the supplier, there is a
presumption that the supplier has represented that the supplier
will deliver or complete the subject of the consumer transaction
within a reasonable time, according to the course of dealing or the
usage of the trade.
(11) That the consumer will be able to purchase the subject of the
consumer transaction as advertised by the supplier, if the supplier
does not intend to sell it.
(12) That the replacement or repair constituting the subject of a
consumer transaction can be made by the supplier for the estimate
the supplier gives a customer for the replacement or repair, if the
specified work is completed and:
(A) the cost exceeds the estimate by an amount equal to or
greater than ten percent (10%) of the estimate;
(B) the supplier did not obtain written permission from the
customer to authorize the supplier to complete the work even
if the cost would exceed the amounts specified in clause (A);
(C) the total cost for services and parts for a single transaction
is more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750); and
(D) the supplier knew or reasonably should have known that
the cost would exceed the estimate in the amounts specified in
clause (A).
(13) That the replacement or repair constituting the subject of a
consumer transaction is needed, and that the supplier disposes of
the part repaired or replaced earlier than seventy-two (72) hours
after both:
(A) the customer has been notified that the work has been
completed; and
(B) the part repaired or replaced has been made available for
examination upon the request of the customer.
(14) Engaging in the replacement or repair of the subject of a
consumer transaction if the consumer has not authorized the
replacement or repair, and if the supplier knows or should
reasonably know that it is not authorized.
transactions), as set forth in IC 24-5-10-18.
(24) A violation of IC 24-5-11 (concerning home improvement
contracts), as set forth in IC 24-5-11-14.
(25) A violation of IC 24-5-12 (concerning telephone
solicitations), as set forth in IC 24-5-12-23.
(26) A violation of IC 24-5-13.5 (concerning buyback motor
vehicles), as set forth in IC 24-5-13.5-14.
(27) A violation of IC 24-5-14 (concerning automatic
dialing-announcing devices), as set forth in IC 24-5-14-13.
(28) A violation of IC 24-5-15 (concerning credit services
organizations), as set forth in IC 24-5-15-11.
(29) A violation of IC 24-5-16 (concerning unlawful motor
vehicle subleasing), as set forth in IC 24-5-16-18.
(30) A violation of IC 24-5-17 (concerning environmental
marketing claims), as set forth in IC 24-5-17-14.
(31) A violation of IC 24-5-19 (concerning deceptive
commercial solicitation), as set forth in IC 24-5-19-11.
(32) A violation of IC 24-5-21 (concerning prescription drug
discount cards), as set forth in IC 24-5-21-7.
(33) A violation of IC 24-5-23.5-7 (concerning real estate
appraisals), as set forth in IC 24-5-23.5-9.
(34) A violation of IC 24-5-26 (concerning identity theft), as
set forth in IC 24-5-26-3.
(35) A violation of IC 24-5.5 (concerning mortgage rescue
fraud), as set forth in IC 24-5.5-6-1.
(36) A violation of IC 24-8 (concerning promotional gifts and
contests), as set forth in IC 24-8-6-3.
(b) Any representations on or within a product or its packaging or
in advertising or promotional materials which would constitute a
deceptive act shall be the deceptive act both of the supplier who places
such representation thereon or therein, or who authored such materials,
and such other suppliers who shall state orally or in writing that such
representation is true if such other supplier shall know or have reason
to know that such representation was false.
(c) If a supplier shows by a preponderance of the evidence that an
act resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of
procedures reasonably adopted to avoid the error, such act shall not be
deceptive within the meaning of this chapter.
(d) It shall be a defense to any action brought under this chapter that
the representation constituting an alleged deceptive act was one made
in good faith by the supplier without knowledge of its falsity and in
reliance upon the oral or written representations of the manufacturer,
the person from whom the supplier acquired the product, any testing
organization, or any other person provided that the source thereof is
disclosed to the consumer.
(e) For purposes of subsection (a)(12), a supplier that provides
estimates before performing repair or replacement work for a customer
shall give the customer a written estimate itemizing as closely as
possible the price for labor and parts necessary for the specific job
before commencing the work.
(f) For purposes of subsection (a)(15) and (a)(16), a telephone
company or other provider of a telephone directory or directory
assistance service or its officer or agent is immune from liability for
publishing the listing of a fictitious business name or assumed business
name of a supplier in its directory or directory assistance database
unless the telephone company or other provider of a telephone
directory or directory assistance service is the same person as the
supplier who has committed the deceptive act.
(g) For purposes of subsection (a)(18), it is an affirmative defense
to any action brought under this chapter that the product has been
altered by a person other than the defendant to render the product
completely incapable of serving its original purpose.
under this chapter.
(b) Any person who is entitled to bring an action under subsection
(a) on the person's own behalf against a supplier for damages for a
deceptive act may bring a class action against such supplier on behalf
of any class of persons of which that person is a member and which has
been damaged by such deceptive act, subject to and under the Indiana
Rules of Trial Procedure governing class actions, except as herein
expressly provided. Except as provided in subsection (j), the court may
award reasonable attorney fees to the party that prevails in a class
action under this subsection, provided that such fee shall be determined
by the amount of time reasonably expended by the attorney and not by
the amount of the judgment, although the contingency of the fee may
be considered. Any money or other property recovered in a class action
under this subsection which cannot, with due diligence, be restored to
consumers within one (1) year after the judgment becomes final shall
be returned to the party depositing the same. This subsection does not
apply to a consumer transaction in real property, except for purchases
of time shares and camping club memberships. This subsection does
not apply with respect to a deceptive act described in section
3(a)(20) of this chapter. Actual damages awarded to a class have
priority over any civil penalty imposed under this chapter.
(c) The attorney general may bring an action to enjoin a deceptive
act, including a deceptive act described in section 3(a)(20) of this
chapter, notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b). However, the
attorney general may seek to enjoin patterns of incurable deceptive acts
with respect to consumer transactions in real property. In addition, the
court may:
(1) issue an injunction;
(2) order the supplier to make payment of the money unlawfully
received from the aggrieved consumers to be held in escrow for
distribution to aggrieved consumers;
(3) order the supplier to pay to the state the reasonable costs of
the attorney general's investigation and prosecution related to the
action; and
(4) provide for the appointment of a receiver.
(d) In an action under subsection (a), (b), or (c), the court may void
or limit the application of contracts or clauses resulting from deceptive
acts and order restitution to be paid to aggrieved consumers.
(e) In any action under subsection (a) or (b), upon the filing of the
complaint or on the appearance of any defendant, claimant, or any
other party, or at any later time, the trial court, the supreme court, or the
court of appeals may require the plaintiff, defendant, claimant, or any
other party or parties to give security, or additional security, in such
sum as the court shall direct to pay all costs, expenses, and
disbursements that shall be awarded against that party or which that
party may be directed to pay by any interlocutory order by the final
judgment or on appeal.
(f) Any person who violates the terms of an injunction issued under
subsection (c) shall forfeit and pay to the state a civil penalty of not
more than fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per violation. For the
purposes of this section, the court issuing an injunction shall retain
jurisdiction, the cause shall be continued, and the attorney general
acting in the name of the state may petition for recovery of civil
penalties. Whenever the court determines that an injunction issued
under subsection (c) has been violated, the court shall award
reasonable costs to the state.
(g) If a court finds any person has knowingly violated section 3 or
10 of this chapter, other than section 3(a)(19) or 3(a)(20) of this
chapter, the attorney general, in an action pursuant to subsection (c),
may recover from the person on behalf of the state a civil penalty of a
fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) per violation.
(h) If a court finds that a person has violated section 3(a)(19) of this
chapter, the attorney general, in an action under subsection (c), may
recover from the person on behalf of the state a civil penalty as follows:
(1) For a knowing or intentional violation, one thousand five
hundred dollars ($1,500).
(2) For a violation other than a knowing or intentional violation,
five hundred dollars ($500).
A civil penalty recovered under this subsection shall be deposited in
the consumer protection division telephone solicitation fund
established by IC 24-4.7-3-6 to be used for the administration and
enforcement of section 3(a)(19) of this chapter.
(i) An elderly person relying upon an uncured or incurable
deceptive act, including an act related to hypnotism, may bring an
action to recover treble damages, if appropriate.
(j) An offer to cure is:
(1) not admissible as evidence in a proceeding initiated under this
section unless the offer to cure is delivered by a supplier to the
consumer or a representative of the consumer before the supplier
files the supplier's initial response to a complaint; and
(2) only admissible as evidence in a proceeding initiated under
this section to prove that a supplier is not liable for attorney's fees
under subsection (k).
If the offer to cure is timely delivered by the supplier, the supplier may
submit the offer to cure as evidence to prove in the proceeding in
accordance with the Indiana Rules of Trial Procedure that the supplier
made an offer to cure.
(k) A supplier may not be held liable for the attorney's fees and
court costs of the consumer that are incurred following the timely
delivery of an offer to cure as described in subsection (j) unless the
actual damages awarded, not including attorney's fees and costs, exceed
the value of the offer to cure.
(l) If a court finds that a person has knowingly violated section
3(a)(20) of this chapter, the attorney general, in an action under
subsection (c), may recover from the person on behalf of the state
a civil penalty not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) per
consumer. In determining the amount of the civil penalty in any
action by the attorney general under this subsection, the court shall
consider, among other relevant factors, the frequency and
persistence of noncompliance by the debt collector, the nature of
the noncompliance, and the extent to which the noncompliance was
intentional. A person may not be held liable in any action by the
attorney general for a violation of section 3(a)(20) of this chapter
if the person shows by a preponderance of evidence that the
violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error,
notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably
adapted to avoid the error.
complaint concerning a physician licensed under IC 25-22.5 and a
violation specified in IC 25-22.5-2-8 to the medical licensing board
of Indiana for investigation by the board. However, if the
complaint includes a violation in addition to a violation specified in
IC 25-22.5-2-8, the division shall investigate the complaint in its
entirety and notify the medical licensing board of Indiana of the
investigation.
to the complaints shall be held in strict confidence until the attorney
general files notice with the board of the attorney general's intent to
prosecute the licensee.
(b) A person in the employ of the office of attorney general or any
of the boards, or any person not a party to the complaint, may not
disclose or further a disclosure of information concerning the
complaint unless the disclosure is required:
(1) under law; or
(2) for the advancement of an investigation.
may appeal the determination made by the board in accordance
with IC 4-21.5.
(c) In accordance with the federal Health Care Quality
Improvement Act (42 U.S.C. 11132), the board shall report a
disciplinary board action that is subject to reporting to the
National Practitioner Data Bank. However, the board may not
report board action against a physician for only an administrative
penalty described in subsection (a). The board's action concerning
disciplinary action or an administrative penalty described in
subsection (a) shall be conducted at a hearing that is open to the
public.
(d) The physician compliance fund is established to provide
funds for administering and enforcing the investigation of
violations specified in subsection (a). The fund shall be
administered by the Indiana professional licensing agency.
(e) The expenses of administering the physician compliance fund
shall be paid from the money in the fund. The fund consists of
penalties collected through investigations and assessments by the
board concerning violations specified in subsection (a). Money in
the fund at the end of a state fiscal year does not revert to the state
general fund.
induce such policyholder to lapse, forfeit, or surrender the
policyholder's insurance.
(2) Making, publishing, disseminating, circulating, or placing
before the public, or causing, directly or indirectly, to be made,
published, disseminated, circulated, or placed before the public,
in a newspaper, magazine, or other publication, or in the form of
a notice, circular, pamphlet, letter, or poster, or over any radio or
television station, or in any other way, an advertisement,
announcement, or statement containing any assertion,
representation, or statement with respect to any person in the
conduct of the person's insurance business, which is untrue,
deceptive, or misleading.
(3) Making, publishing, disseminating, or circulating, directly or
indirectly, or aiding, abetting, or encouraging the making,
publishing, disseminating, or circulating of any oral or written
statement or any pamphlet, circular, article, or literature which is
false, or maliciously critical of or derogatory to the financial
condition of an insurer, and which is calculated to injure any
person engaged in the business of insurance.
(4) Entering into any agreement to commit, or individually or by
a concerted action committing any act of boycott, coercion, or
intimidation resulting or tending to result in unreasonable
restraint of, or a monopoly in, the business of insurance.
(5) Filing with any supervisory or other public official, or making,
publishing, disseminating, circulating, or delivering to any person,
or placing before the public, or causing directly or indirectly, to
be made, published, disseminated, circulated, delivered to any
person, or placed before the public, any false statement of
financial condition of an insurer with intent to deceive. Making
any false entry in any book, report, or statement of any insurer
with intent to deceive any agent or examiner lawfully appointed
to examine into its condition or into any of its affairs, or any
public official to which such insurer is required by law to report,
or which has authority by law to examine into its condition or into
any of its affairs, or, with like intent, willfully omitting to make a
true entry of any material fact pertaining to the business of such
insurer in any book, report, or statement of such insurer.
(6) Issuing or delivering or permitting agents, officers, or
employees to issue or deliver, agency company stock or other
capital stock, or benefit certificates or shares in any common law
corporation, or securities or any special or advisory board
contracts or other contracts of any kind promising returns and
profits as an inducement to insurance.
(7) Making or permitting any of the following:
(A) Unfair discrimination between individuals of the same
class and equal expectation of life in the rates or assessments
charged for any contract of life insurance or of life annuity or
in the dividends or other benefits payable thereon, or in any
other of the terms and conditions of such contract. However,
in determining the class, consideration may be given to the
nature of the risk, plan of insurance, the actual or expected
expense of conducting the business, or any other relevant
factor.
(B) Unfair discrimination between individuals of the same
class involving essentially the same hazards in the amount of
premium, policy fees, assessments, or rates charged or made
for any policy or contract of accident or health insurance or in
the benefits payable thereunder, or in any of the terms or
conditions of such contract, or in any other manner whatever.
However, in determining the class, consideration may be given
to the nature of the risk, the plan of insurance, the actual or
expected expense of conducting the business, or any other
relevant factor.
(C) Excessive or inadequate charges for premiums, policy
fees, assessments, or rates, or making or permitting any unfair
discrimination between persons of the same class involving
essentially the same hazards, in the amount of premiums,
policy fees, assessments, or rates charged or made for:
(i) policies or contracts of reinsurance or joint reinsurance,
or abstract and title insurance;
(ii) policies or contracts of insurance against loss or damage
to aircraft, or against liability arising out of the ownership,
maintenance, or use of any aircraft, or of vessels or craft,
their cargoes, marine builders' risks, marine protection and
indemnity, or other risks commonly insured under marine,
as distinguished from inland marine, insurance; or
(iii) policies or contracts of any other kind or kinds of
insurance whatsoever.
However, nothing contained in clause (C) shall be construed to
apply to any of the kinds of insurance referred to in clauses (A)
and (B) nor to reinsurance in relation to such kinds of insurance.
Nothing in clause (A), (B), or (C) shall be construed as making or
permitting any excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory
charge or rate or any charge or rate determined by the department
or commissioner to meet the requirements of any other insurance
rate regulatory law of this state.
(8) Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, knowingly
permitting or offering to make or making any contract or policy
of insurance of any kind or kinds whatsoever, including but not in
limitation, life annuities, or agreement as to such contract or
policy other than as plainly expressed in such contract or policy
issued thereon, or paying or allowing, or giving or offering to pay,
allow, or give, directly or indirectly, as inducement to such
insurance, or annuity, any rebate of premiums payable on the
contract, or any special favor or advantage in the dividends,
savings, or other benefits thereon, or any valuable consideration
or inducement whatever not specified in the contract or policy; or
giving, or selling, or purchasing or offering to give, sell, or
purchase as inducement to such insurance or annuity or in
connection therewith, any stocks, bonds, or other securities of any
insurance company or other corporation, association, limited
liability company, or partnership, or any dividends, savings, or
profits accrued thereon, or anything of value whatsoever not
specified in the contract. Nothing in this subdivision and
subdivision (7) shall be construed as including within the
definition of discrimination or rebates any of the following
practices:
(A) Paying bonuses to policyholders or otherwise abating their
premiums in whole or in part out of surplus accumulated from
nonparticipating insurance, so long as any such bonuses or
abatement of premiums are fair and equitable to policyholders
and for the best interests of the company and its policyholders.
(B) In the case of life insurance policies issued on the
industrial debit plan, making allowance to policyholders who
have continuously for a specified period made premium
payments directly to an office of the insurer in an amount
which fairly represents the saving in collection expense.
(C) Readjustment of the rate of premium for a group insurance
policy based on the loss or expense experience thereunder, at
the end of the first year or of any subsequent year of insurance
thereunder, which may be made retroactive only for such
policy year.
(D) Paying by an insurer or insurance producer thereof duly
licensed as such under the laws of this state of money,
commission, or brokerage, or giving or allowing by an insurer
or such licensed insurance producer thereof anything of value,
for or on account of the solicitation or negotiation of policies
or other contracts of any kind or kinds, to a broker, an
insurance producer, or a solicitor duly licensed under the laws
of this state, but such broker, insurance producer, or solicitor
receiving such consideration shall not pay, give, or allow
credit for such consideration as received in whole or in part,
directly or indirectly, to the insured by way of rebate.
(9) Requiring, as a condition precedent to loaning money upon the
security of a mortgage upon real property, that the owner of the
property to whom the money is to be loaned negotiate any policy
of insurance covering such real property through a particular
insurance producer or broker or brokers. However, this
subdivision shall not prevent the exercise by any lender of the
lender's right to approve or disapprove of the insurance company
selected by the borrower to underwrite the insurance.
(10) Entering into any contract, combination in the form of a trust
or otherwise, or conspiracy in restraint of commerce in the
business of insurance.
(11) Monopolizing or attempting to monopolize or combining or
conspiring with any other person or persons to monopolize any
part of commerce in the business of insurance. However,
participation as a member, director, or officer in the activities of
any nonprofit organization of insurance producers or other
workers in the insurance business shall not be interpreted, in
itself, to constitute a combination in restraint of trade or as
combining to create a monopoly as provided in this subdivision
and subdivision (10). The enumeration in this chapter of specific
unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts and
practices in the business of insurance is not exclusive or
restrictive or intended to limit the powers of the commissioner or
department or of any court of review under section 8 of this
chapter.
(12) Requiring as a condition precedent to the sale of real or
personal property under any contract of sale, conditional sales
contract, or other similar instrument or upon the security of a
chattel mortgage, that the buyer of such property negotiate any
policy of insurance covering such property through a particular
insurance company, insurance producer, or broker or brokers.
However, this subdivision shall not prevent the exercise by any
seller of such property or the one making a loan thereon of the
right to approve or disapprove of the insurance company selected
by the buyer to underwrite the insurance.
experience.
(16) Committing or performing, with such frequency as to
indicate a general practice, unfair claim settlement practices (as
defined in section 4.5 of this chapter).
(17) Between policy renewal dates, unilaterally canceling an
individual's coverage under an individual or group health
insurance policy solely because of the individual's medical or
physical condition.
(18) Using a policy form or rider that would permit a cancellation
of coverage as described in subdivision (17).
(19) Violating IC 27-1-22-25, IC 27-1-22-26, or IC 27-1-22-26.1
concerning motor vehicle insurance rates.
(20) Violating IC 27-8-21-2 concerning advertisements referring
to interest rate guarantees.
(21) Violating IC 27-8-24.3 concerning insurance and health plan
coverage for victims of abuse.
(22) Violating IC 27-8-26 concerning genetic screening or testing.
(23) Violating IC 27-1-15.6-3(b) concerning licensure of
insurance producers.
(24) Violating IC 27-1-38 concerning depository institutions.
(25) Violating IC 27-8-28-17(c) or IC 27-13-10-8(c) concerning
the resolution of an appealed grievance decision.
(26) Violating IC 27-8-5-2.5(e) through IC 27-8-5-2.5(j) (expired
July 1, 2007, and removed) or IC 27-8-5-19.2 (expired July 1,
2007, and repealed).
(27) Violating IC 27-2-21 concerning use of credit information.
(28) Violating IC 27-4-9-3 concerning recommendations to
consumers.
(29) Engaging in dishonest or predatory insurance practices in
marketing or sales of insurance to members of the United States
Armed Forces as:
(A) described in the federal Military Personnel Financial
Services Protection Act, P.L.109-290; or
(B) defined in rules adopted under subsection (b).
(30) Violating IC 27-8-19.8-20.1 concerning stranger originated
life insurance.
(31) Violating IC 27-8-11-4.7 or IC 27-13-34-15.2 concerning
contracts for dental services.
(b) Except with respect to federal insurance programs under
Subchapter III of Chapter 19 of Title 38 of the United States Code, the
commissioner may, consistent with the federal Military Personnel
Financial Services Protection Act (P.L.109-290), adopt rules under
IC 4-22-2 to:
(1) define; and
(2) while the members are on a United States military installation
or elsewhere in Indiana, protect members of the United States
Armed Forces from;
dishonest or predatory insurance practices.
the following information:
(A) The name of the buyer of the property that is the
subject of the transaction.
(B) The purchase price of the property that is the subject
of the transaction.
(11) In the case of a transaction described in subsection
(a)(1)(A)(ii), the following information:
(A) The name of the borrower in the mortgage transaction.
(B) The loan amount of the refinancing.
(10) (12) The:
(A) name; and
(B) license number, certificate number, registration number,
or other code, as appropriate;
of any other person that participates in or assists with is involved
in a transaction to which this section applies, as the department
may prescribe.
(c) The system established by the department under this section
must include a form that:
(1) is uniformly accessible in an electronic format to the closing
agent (as defined in IC 6-1.1-12-43(a)(2)) in the transaction; and
(2) allows the closing agent to do the following:
(A) Input information identifying the property that is the
subject of the transaction by lot or parcel number, street
address, or some other means of identification that the
department determines:
(i) is sufficient to identify the property; and
(ii) is determinable by the closing agent.
(B) Subject to subsection (d) and to the extent determinable,
input the applicable information described in subsection (b).
with respect to each person described in subsection (b) that
participates in or assists with the transaction.
(C) Respond to the following questions, if applicable:
(i) "On what date did you receive the closing instructions
from the creditor in the transaction?".
(ii) "On what date did the transaction close?".
(D) Submit the form electronically to a data base maintained
by the department.
(d) Not later than the time of the closing, each person described in
subsection (b), other than a person described in subsection (b)(8), or
(b)(9), (b)(10), or (b)(11), shall provide to the closing agent in the
transaction the person's:
(1) legal name; and
this chapter, require a dentist to accept an amount set by the
insurer as payment for health care services provided to an insured
unless the health care services are covered services under the
insured's policy.
(c) An insurer may not provide merely de minimis
reimbursement or coverage in an effort to avoid the requirements
of this section.
(d) This section does not apply to a discount medical card
program provider agreement regulated under IC 27-17.
(e) A violation of this section is an unfair and deceptive act in
the business of insurance under IC 27-4-1-4.