Bill Text: IN SB0582 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Settlement conferences in residential foreclosures.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-05-18 - SECTION 16 effective 05/10/2011 [SB0582 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2011-SB0582-Amended.html
Citations Affected: IC 5-14; IC 5-20; IC 32-30; IC 33-37.
Effective: Upon passage; July 1, 2011.
January 20, 2011, read first time and referred to Committee on Judiciary.
February 14, 2011, amended, reported favorably _ Do Pass.
Digest Continued
pay; and (2) may not exceed the debtor's monthly obligation under the mortgage. Provides that any payments made: (1) shall by held in trust for the parties by the clerk of the court or in an attorney trust account; and (2) may be disbursed only upon order of the court. Provides that any payments held shall be credited: (1) to the debtor if the parties subsequently enter into a foreclosure prevention agreement; or (2) against the amount of the judgment entered or the amount owed if a judgment of foreclosure is subsequently entered. In a residential foreclosure action, provides that a court may impose sanctions, including a civil penalty, on any party for a violation of: (1) the statute concerning foreclosure prevention agreements for residential mortgages; or (2) a court order or rule relating to an action subject to the statute. Provides that any civil penalties collected shall be deposited in the home ownership education account to support programs conducted by specified entities to facilitate settlement conferences in residential foreclosure actions. Makes conforming changes.
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A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
property.
(1) Those declared confidential by state statute.
(2) Those declared confidential by rule adopted by a public agency under specific authority to classify public records as confidential granted to the public agency by statute.
(3) Those required to be kept confidential by federal law.
(4) Records containing trade secrets.
(5) Confidential financial information obtained, upon request, from a person. However, this does not include information that is filed with or received by a public agency pursuant to state statute.
(6) Information concerning research, including actual research documents, conducted under the auspices of a state educational institution, including information:
(A) concerning any negotiations made with respect to the research; and
(B) received from another party involved in the research.
(7) Grade transcripts and license examination scores obtained as part of a licensure process.
(8) Those declared confidential by or under rules adopted by the supreme court of Indiana.
(9) Patient medical records and charts created by a provider, unless the patient gives written consent under IC 16-39 or as provided under IC 16-41-8.
(10) Application information declared confidential by the board of the Indiana economic development corporation under IC 5-28-16.
(11) A photograph, a video recording, or an audio recording of an autopsy, except as provided in IC 36-2-14-10.
(12) A Social Security number contained in the records of a public agency.
(13) Contact information relating to a defendant in a mortgage foreclosure action under IC 32-30-10.5-8.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (a), the following public records shall be excepted from section 3 of this chapter at the discretion of a public agency:
(1) Investigatory records of law enforcement agencies. However, certain law enforcement records must be made available for inspection and copying as provided in section 5 of this chapter.
(2) The work product of an attorney representing, pursuant to state employment or an appointment by a public agency:
(A) a public agency;
(B) the state; or
(C) an individual.
(3) Test questions, scoring keys, and other examination data used in administering a licensing examination, examination for employment, or academic examination before the examination is given or if it is to be given again.
(4) Scores of tests if the person is identified by name and has not consented to the release of the person's scores.
(5) The following:
(A) Records relating to negotiations between the Indiana economic development corporation, the ports of Indiana, the
Indiana state department of agriculture, the Indiana finance
authority, an economic development commission, a local
economic development organization (as defined in
IC 5-28-11-2(3)), or a governing body of a political
subdivision with industrial, research, or commercial prospects,
if the records are created while negotiations are in progress.
(B) Notwithstanding clause (A), the terms of the final offer of
public financial resources communicated by the Indiana
economic development corporation, the ports of Indiana, the
Indiana finance authority, an economic development
commission, or a governing body of a political subdivision to
an industrial, a research, or a commercial prospect shall be
available for inspection and copying under section 3 of this
chapter after negotiations with that prospect have terminated.
(C) When disclosing a final offer under clause (B), the Indiana
economic development corporation shall certify that the
information being disclosed accurately and completely
represents the terms of the final offer.
(6) Records that are intra-agency or interagency advisory or
deliberative material, including material developed by a private
contractor under a contract with a public agency, that are
expressions of opinion or are of a speculative nature, and that are
communicated for the purpose of decision making.
(7) Diaries, journals, or other personal notes serving as the
functional equivalent of a diary or journal.
(8) Personnel files of public employees and files of applicants for
public employment, except for:
(A) the name, compensation, job title, business address,
business telephone number, job description, education and
training background, previous work experience, or dates of
first and last employment of present or former officers or
employees of the agency;
(B) information relating to the status of any formal charges
against the employee; and
(C) the factual basis for a disciplinary action in which final
action has been taken and that resulted in the employee being
suspended, demoted, or discharged.
However, all personnel file information shall be made available
to the affected employee or the employee's representative. This
subdivision does not apply to disclosure of personnel information
generally on all employees or for groups of employees without the
request being particularized by employee name.
(9) Minutes or records of hospital medical staff meetings.
(10) Administrative or technical information that would jeopardize a record keeping or security system.
(11) Computer programs, computer codes, computer filing systems, and other software that are owned by the public agency or entrusted to it and portions of electronic maps entrusted to a public agency by a utility.
(12) Records specifically prepared for discussion or developed during discussion in an executive session under IC 5-14-1.5-6.1. However, this subdivision does not apply to that information required to be available for inspection and copying under subdivision (8).
(13) The work product of the legislative services agency under personnel rules approved by the legislative council.
(14) The work product of individual members and the partisan staffs of the general assembly.
(15) The identity of a donor of a gift made to a public agency if:
(A) the donor requires nondisclosure of the donor's identity as a condition of making the gift; or
(B) after the gift is made, the donor or a member of the donor's family requests nondisclosure.
(16) Library or archival records:
(A) which can be used to identify any library patron; or
(B) deposited with or acquired by a library upon a condition that the records be disclosed only:
(i) to qualified researchers;
(ii) after the passing of a period of years that is specified in the documents under which the deposit or acquisition is made; or
(iii) after the death of persons specified at the time of the acquisition or deposit.
However, nothing in this subdivision shall limit or affect contracts entered into by the Indiana state library pursuant to IC 4-1-6-8.
(17) The identity of any person who contacts the bureau of motor vehicles concerning the ability of a driver to operate a motor vehicle safely and the medical records and evaluations made by the bureau of motor vehicles staff or members of the driver licensing medical advisory board regarding the ability of a driver to operate a motor vehicle safely. However, upon written request to the commissioner of the bureau of motor vehicles, the driver must be given copies of the driver's medical records and evaluations.
(18) School safety and security measures, plans, and systems, including emergency preparedness plans developed under 511 IAC 6.1-2-2.5.
(19) A record or a part of a record, the public disclosure of which would have a reasonable likelihood of threatening public safety by exposing a vulnerability to terrorist attack. A record described under this subdivision includes:
(A) a record assembled, prepared, or maintained to prevent, mitigate, or respond to an act of terrorism under IC 35-47-12-1 or an act of agricultural terrorism under IC 35-47-12-2;
(B) vulnerability assessments;
(C) risk planning documents;
(D) needs assessments;
(E) threat assessments;
(F) intelligence assessments;
(G) domestic preparedness strategies;
(H) the location of community drinking water wells and surface water intakes;
(I) the emergency contact information of emergency responders and volunteers;
(J) infrastructure records that disclose the configuration of critical systems such as communication, electrical, ventilation, water, and wastewater systems; and
(K) detailed drawings or specifications of structural elements, floor plans, and operating, utility, or security systems, whether in paper or electronic form, of any building or facility located on an airport (as defined in IC 8-21-1-1) that is owned, occupied, leased, or maintained by a public agency. A record described in this clause may not be released for public inspection by any public agency without the prior approval of the public agency that owns, occupies, leases, or maintains the airport. The public agency that owns, occupies, leases, or maintains the airport:
(i) is responsible for determining whether the public disclosure of a record or a part of a record has a reasonable likelihood of threatening public safety by exposing a vulnerability to terrorist attack; and
(ii) must identify a record described under item (i) and clearly mark the record as "confidential and not subject to public disclosure under IC 5-14-3-4(b)(19)(J) without approval of (insert name of submitting public agency)".
This subdivision does not apply to a record or portion of a record
pertaining to a location or structure owned or protected by a
public agency in the event that an act of terrorism under
IC 35-47-12-1 or an act of agricultural terrorism under
IC 35-47-12-2 has occurred at that location or structure, unless
release of the record or portion of the record would have a
reasonable likelihood of threatening public safety by exposing a
vulnerability of other locations or structures to terrorist attack.
(20) The following personal information concerning a customer
of a municipally owned utility (as defined in IC 8-1-2-1):
(A) Telephone number.
(B) Address.
(C) Social Security number.
(21) The following personal information about a complainant
contained in records of a law enforcement agency:
(A) Telephone number.
(B) The complainant's address. However, if the complainant's
address is the location of the suspected crime, infraction,
accident, or complaint reported, the address shall be made
available for public inspection and copying.
(22) Notwithstanding subdivision (8)(A), the name,
compensation, job title, business address, business telephone
number, job description, education and training background,
previous work experience, or dates of first employment of a law
enforcement officer who is operating in an undercover capacity.
(23) Records requested by an offender that:
(A) contain personal information relating to:
(i) a correctional officer (as defined in IC 5-10-10-1.5);
(ii) the victim of a crime; or
(iii) a family member of a correctional officer or the victim
of a crime; or
(B) concern or could affect the security of a jail or correctional
facility.
(c) Nothing contained in subsection (b) shall limit or affect the right
of a person to inspect and copy a public record required or directed to
be made by any statute or by any rule of a public agency.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a public record that is classified
as confidential, other than a record concerning an adoption or patient
medical records, shall be made available for inspection and copying
seventy-five (75) years after the creation of that record.
(e) Only the content of a public record may form the basis for the
adoption by any public agency of a rule or procedure creating an
exception from disclosure under this section.
(f) Except as provided by law, a public agency may not adopt a rule or procedure that creates an exception from disclosure under this section based upon whether a public record is stored or accessed using paper, electronic media, magnetic media, optical media, or other information storage technology.
(g) Except as provided by law, a public agency may not adopt a rule or procedure nor impose any costs or liabilities that impede or restrict the reproduction or dissemination of any public record.
(h) Notwithstanding subsection (d) and section 7 of this chapter:
(1) public records subject to IC 5-15 may be destroyed only in accordance with record retention schedules under IC 5-15; or
(2) public records not subject to IC 5-15 may be destroyed in the ordinary course of business.
(1) to make or participate in the making of construction loans for multiple family residential housing under terms that are approved by the authority;
(2) to make or participate in the making of mortgage loans for multiple family residential housing under terms that are approved by the authority;
(3) to purchase or participate in the purchase from mortgage lenders of mortgage loans made to persons of low and moderate income for residential housing;
(4) to make loans to mortgage lenders for the purpose of furnishing funds to such mortgage lenders to be used for making mortgage loans for persons and families of low and moderate income. However, the obligation to repay loans to mortgage lenders shall be general obligations of the respective mortgage lenders and shall bear such date or dates, shall mature at such time or times, shall be evidenced by such note, bond, or other certificate of indebtedness, shall be subject to prepayment, and shall contain such other provisions consistent with the purposes of this chapter as the authority shall by rule or resolution determine;
(5) to collect and pay reasonable fees and charges in connection with making, purchasing, and servicing of its loans, notes, bonds, commitments, and other evidences of indebtedness;
(6) to acquire real property, or any interest in real property, by
conveyance, including purchase in lieu of foreclosure, or
foreclosure, to own, manage, operate, hold, clear, improve, and
rehabilitate such real property and sell, assign, exchange, transfer,
convey, lease, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of or encumber
such real property where such use of real property is necessary or
appropriate to the purposes of the authority;
(7) to sell, at public or private sale, all or any part of any mortgage
or other instrument or document securing a construction loan, a
land development loan, a mortgage loan, or a loan of any type
permitted by this chapter;
(8) to procure insurance against any loss in connection with its
operations in such amounts and from such insurers as it may deem
necessary or desirable;
(9) to consent, subject to the provisions of any contract with
noteholders or bondholders which may then exist, whenever it
deems it necessary or desirable in the fulfillment of its purposes
to the modification of the rate of interest, time of payment of any
installment of principal or interest, or any other terms of any
mortgage loan, mortgage loan commitment, construction loan,
loan to lender, or contract or agreement of any kind to which the
authority is a party;
(10) to enter into agreements or other transactions with any
federal, state, or local governmental agency for the purpose of
providing adequate living quarters for such persons and families
in cities and counties where a need has been found for such
housing;
(11) to include in any borrowing such amounts as may be deemed
necessary by the authority to pay financing charges, interest on
the obligations (for a period not exceeding the period of
construction and a reasonable time thereafter or if the housing is
completed, two (2) years from the date of issue of the
obligations), consultant, advisory, and legal fees and such other
expenses as are necessary or incident to such borrowing;
(12) to make and publish rules respecting its lending programs
and such other rules as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of
this chapter;
(13) to provide technical and advisory services to sponsors,
builders, and developers of residential housing and to residents
and potential residents, including housing selection and purchase
procedures, family budgeting, property use and maintenance,
household management, and utilization of community resources;
(14) to promote research and development in scientific methods
of constructing low cost residential housing of high durability;
(15) to encourage community organizations to participate in
residential housing development;
(16) to make, execute, and effectuate any and all agreements or
other documents with any governmental agency or any person,
corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company,
or other organization or entity necessary or convenient to
accomplish the purposes of this chapter;
(17) to accept gifts, devises, bequests, grants, loans,
appropriations, revenue sharing, other financing and assistance
and any other aid from any source whatsoever and to agree to, and
to comply with, conditions attached thereto;
(18) to sue and be sued in its own name, plead and be impleaded;
(19) to maintain an office in the city of Indianapolis and at such
other place or places as it may determine;
(20) to adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure;
(21) to adopt and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws for
the regulation of its affairs and the conduct of its business and to
prescribe rules and policies in connection with the performance
of its functions and duties;
(22) to employ fiscal consultants, engineers, attorneys, real estate
counselors, appraisers, and such other consultants and employees
as may be required in the judgment of the authority and to fix and
pay their compensation from funds available to the authority
therefor;
(23) notwithstanding IC 5-13, but subject to the requirements of
any trust agreement entered into by the authority, to invest:
(A) the authority's money, funds, and accounts;
(B) any money, funds, and accounts in the authority's custody;
and
(C) proceeds of bonds or notes;
in the manner provided by an investment policy established by
resolution of the authority;
(24) to make or participate in the making of construction loans,
mortgage loans, or both, to individuals, partnerships, limited
liability companies, corporations, and organizations for the
construction of residential facilities for individuals with a
developmental disability or for individuals with a mental illness
or for the acquisition or renovation, or both, of a facility to make
it suitable for use as a new residential facility for individuals with
a developmental disability or for individuals with a mental illness;
(25) to make or participate in the making of construction and
mortgage loans to individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited
liability companies, and organizations for the construction,
rehabilitation, or acquisition of residential facilities for children;
(26) to purchase or participate in the purchase of mortgage loans
from:
(A) public utilities (as defined in IC 8-1-2-1); or
(B) municipally owned gas utility systems organized under
IC 8-1.5;
if those mortgage loans were made for the purpose of insulating
and otherwise weatherizing single family residences in order to
conserve energy used to heat and cool those residences;
(27) to provide financial assistance to mutual housing
associations (IC 5-20-3) in the form of grants, loans, or a
combination of grants and loans for the development of housing
for low and moderate income families;
(28) to service mortgage loans made or acquired by the authority
and to impose and collect reasonable fees and charges in
connection with such servicing;
(29) subject to the authority's investment policy, to enter into
swap agreements (as defined in IC 8-9.5-9-4) in accordance with
IC 8-9.5-9-5 and IC 8-9.5-9-7;
(30) to promote and foster community revitalization through
community services and real estate development;
(31) to coordinate and establish linkages between governmental
and other social services programs to ensure the effective delivery
of services to low income individuals and families, including
individuals or families facing or experiencing homelessness;
(32) to cooperate with local housing officials and plan
commissions in the development of projects that the officials or
commissions have under consideration;
(33) to develop a list of documents that a creditor and debtor
are required to exchange before attending a settlement
conference under IC 32-30-10.5-10;
(33) (34) to take actions necessary to implement its powers that
the authority determines to be appropriate and necessary to ensure
the availability of state or federal financial assistance; and
(34) (35) to administer any program or money designated by the
state or available from the federal government or other sources
that is consistent with the authority's powers and duties.
The omission of a power from the list in this subsection does not imply
that the authority lacks that power. The authority may exercise any
power that is not listed in this subsection but is consistent with the
powers listed in this subsection to the extent that the power is not
expressly denied by the Constitution of the State of Indiana or by
another statute.
(b) The authority shall ensure that a mortgage loan acquired by the
authority under subsection (a)(3) or made by a mortgage lender with
funds provided by the authority under subsection (a)(4) is not
knowingly made to a person whose adjusted family income, as
determined by the authority, exceeds one hundred twenty-five percent
(125%) of the median income for the geographic area involved.
However, if the authority determines that additional encouragement is
needed for the development of the geographic area involved, a
mortgage loan acquired or made under subsection (a)(3) or (a)(4) may
be made to a person whose adjusted family income, as determined by
the authority, does not exceed one hundred forty percent (140%) of the
median income for the geographic area involved. The authority shall
establish procedures that the authority determines are appropriate to
structure and administer any program conducted under subsection
(a)(3) or (a)(4) for the purpose of acquiring or making mortgage loans
to persons of low or moderate income. In determining what constitutes
low income, moderate income, or median income for purposes of any
program conducted under subsection (a)(3) or (a)(4), the authority shall
consider:
(1) the appropriate geographic area in which to measure income
levels; and
(2) the appropriate method of calculating low income, moderate
income, or median income levels including:
(A) sources of;
(B) exclusions from; and
(C) adjustments to;
income.
(c) The authority, when directed by the governor, shall administer
programs and funds under 42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.
(d) The authority shall identify, promote, assist, and fund:
(1) home ownership education programs; and
(2) mortgage foreclosure counseling and education programs
under IC 5-20-6;
conducted throughout Indiana by nonprofit counseling agencies that the
authority has certified, or by any other public, private, or nonprofit
entity in partnership with a nonprofit agency that the authority has
certified, using funds appropriated under section 27 of this chapter. The
attorney general and the entities listed in IC 4-6-12-4(a)(1) through
IC 4-6-12-4(a)(10) shall cooperate with the authority in implementing
this subsection.
(e) The authority shall:
(1) oversee and encourage a regional homeless delivery system
that:
(A) considers the need for housing and support services;
(B) implements strategies to respond to gaps in the delivery
system; and
(C) ensures individuals and families are matched with optimal
housing solutions;
(2) facilitate the dissemination of information to assist individuals
and families accessing local resources, programs, and services
related to homelessness, housing, and community development;
and
(3) each year, estimate and reasonably determine the number of
the following:
(A) Individuals in Indiana who are homeless.
(B) Individuals in Indiana who are homeless and less than
eighteen (18) years of age.
(C) Individuals in Indiana who are homeless and not residents
of Indiana.
(1) home ownership education programs established under section 4(d) of this chapter;
(2) mortgage foreclosure counseling and education programs established under IC 5-20-6-2; and
(3) programs conducted by one (1) or a combination of the following to facilitate settlement conferences in residential foreclosure actions under IC 32-30-10.5:
(A) The judiciary.
(B) Pro bono legal services agencies.
(C) Mortgage foreclosure counselors (as defined in IC 32-30-10.5-6).
(D) Other nonprofit entities certified by the authority under section 4(d) of this chapter.
The account is administered by the authority.
(b) The home ownership education account consists of:
(1) court fees collected under IC 33-37-5-30 (before its expiration on January 1, 2013);
(2) civil penalties imposed and collected under:
(A) IC 6-1.1-12-43(g)(2)(B); or
(B) IC 27-7-3-15.5(e); and
(3) civil penalties imposed and collected by a court under IC 32-30-10.5-10(j).
(c) The expenses of administering the home ownership education account shall be paid from money in the account.
(d) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the home ownership education account not currently needed to meet the obligations of the account in the same manner as other public money may be invested.
(1) court fees under IC 33-37-5-30 (before its expiration on January 1, 2013); and
(2) civil penalties imposed and collected by a court under IC 32-30-10.5-10(j);
the authority may solicit contributions and grants from the private sector, nonprofit entities, and the federal government to assist in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.
(1) Inform the debtor
(A) That the debtor is in default.
(B) That the debtor is encouraged to obtain assistance from a
mortgage foreclosure counselor. and
(C) That, subject to section 9(b) of this chapter, if the
creditor proceeds to file a foreclosure action:
(i) a settlement conference between the debtor and
creditor will be scheduled by the court under section 10
of this chapter; and
(ii) the foreclosure action may not proceed until the
settlement conference has taken place, subject to the
debtor's right to opt out of the settlement conference
under section 10(b)(2) of this chapter.
The information required to be provided under this clause
applies to a foreclosure action filed after June 30, 2011.
The Indiana housing and community development
authority shall, not later than June 1, 2011, update the
presuit notice form the authority is required to prescribe
under this subsection to include the information described
in this clause.
(C) (D) That if the creditor proceeds to file a foreclosure
action and obtains a foreclosure judgment, the debtor has a
right to do the following before a sheriff's sale is conducted:
(i) Appeal a finding of abandonment by a court under
IC 32-29-7-3(a)(2).
(ii) Redeem the real estate from the judgment under
IC 32-29-7-7.
(iii) Retain possession of the property under
IC 32-29-7-11(b), subject to the conditions set forth in
IC 32-29-7-11(b).
(2) Provide the contact information for the Indiana Foreclosure
Prevention Network.
(3) Include the following statement printed in at least 14 point
boldface type:
"NOTICE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW
Mortgage foreclosure is a complex process. People may
approach you about "saving" your home. You should be
careful about any such promises. There are government
agencies and nonprofit organizations you may contact for
helpful information about the foreclosure process. For the
name and telephone number of an organization near you,
please call the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network.".
(b) The notice required by subsection (a) shall be sent to:
(1) the address of the mortgaged property; or
(2) the last known mailing address of the debtor if the creditor's
records indicate that the mailing address of the debtor is other
than the address of the mortgaged property.
If the creditor provides evidence that the notice required by subsection
(a) was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and as
prescribed by in accordance with this subsection, it is not necessary
that the debtor accept receipt of the notice for an action to proceed as
allowed under this chapter.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (e) and section 10(g) 10(h) of
this chapter, if a creditor files an action to foreclose a mortgage, the
creditor shall include with the complaint served on the debtor a notice
that informs the debtor of the debtor's that, for a foreclosure action
filed after June 30, 2009, but before July 1, 2011, the debtor has the
right to participate in a settlement conference, subject to section 9(b)
of this chapter. The notice must be in a form prescribed by the Indiana
housing and community development authority created by IC 5-20-1-3.
The notice must inform the debtor that the debtor may schedule a
settlement conference by notifying the court, not later than thirty (30)
days after the notice required by this subsection is served, of the
debtor's intent to participate in a settlement conference.
(d) In a foreclosure action filed under IC 32-30-10-3 after June 30,
2009, If a creditor files an action to foreclose a mortgage, the
creditor shall attach to include with the complaint filed with the court:
(1) except as provided in subsection (e) and section 10(h) of
this chapter, a copy of the notices sent to the debtor under
subsections (a) and (c), if the foreclosure action is filed after
June 30, 2009, but before July 1, 2011; or
(2) the following, if the foreclosure action is filed after June
30, 2011:
(A) Except as provided in subsection (e) and section 10(h)
of this chapter, a copy of the notices sent to the debtor
under subsections (a) and (c).
(B) The most recent contact information for the debtor
that the creditor has available or on file, including:
(i) all telephone numbers and electronic mail addresses
used by the debtor; and
(ii) any mailing address described in subsection (b)(2).
Notices and debtor contact information required to be included
with a complaint under this subsection are confidential.
(e) A creditor is not required to send the notices described in this
section if:
(1) the mortgage is secured by a dwelling that is not the debtor's
primary residence;
(2) the mortgage has been the subject of a prior foreclosure prevention agreement under this chapter and the debtor has defaulted with respect to the terms of that foreclosure prevention agreement; or
(3) bankruptcy law prohibits the creditor from participating in a settlement conference under this chapter with respect to the mortgage.
(f) This section does not apply if a creditor is not required under subsection (e) to send the notices described in this section. As soon as practicable after a creditor files an action to foreclose a mortgage, the court shall send a notice informing the defendant that:
(1) a settlement conference between the defendant and plaintiff will be scheduled by the court under section 10 of this chapter; and
(2) the foreclosure action may not proceed until the settlement conference has taken place, subject to the defendant's right to opt out of the settlement conference under section 10(b)(2) of this chapter subject to section 9(b) of this chapter.
(1) A mortgage foreclosure action with respect to which:
(A) the creditor has filed the complaint in the proceeding before July 1, 2011;
(B) the debtor has contacted the court under section 8(c)(1) of this chapter or under section 11(b) of this chapter to schedule a settlement conference under this chapter; and
(C) the court having jurisdiction over the action has not:
(i) issued a stay in the foreclosure proceedings pending the conclusion of the settlement conference under this chapter;
(ii) issued a default judgment against the debtor in the action; or
(iii) rendered a judgment of foreclosure in the action.
(2) A mortgage foreclosure action that is filed after June 30, 2011.
(b) In a mortgage foreclosure action to which this section applies, the court, notwithstanding Indiana Trial Rule 56, stay the granting of any dispositive motion until one (1) of the following occurs, subject to the court's right under section 10(c) of this
chapter to order the creditor and the debtor to reconvene a
settlement conference at any time before judgment is entered:
(1) The court receives notice of the debtor's election to opt out
of a settlement conference under section 10(b)(2) of this
chapter, in the case of a mortgage foreclosure action filed
after June 30, 2011.
(2) The court receives notice under section 10(f) of this
chapter that after the conclusion of a settlement conference
held under this chapter:
(A) the debtor and the creditor have agreed to enter into a
foreclosure prevention agreement; and
(B) the creditor has elected under section 10(f) of this
chapter to dismiss the foreclosure action for as long as the
debtor complies with the terms of the foreclosure
prevention agreement.
(3) The court receives notice under section 10(g) of this
chapter that after the conclusion of a settlement conference
held under this chapter, the creditor and the debtor are
unable to agree on the terms of a foreclosure prevention
agreement.
(c) If the defendant requests a settlement conference under
section 9 of this chapter, the court shall treat the request as the
entry of an appearance under Indiana Trial Rule 3.1(B).
(b) During the pendency of an action to which this section applies, regardless of any stay that is issued by the court under section 8.5 of this chapter, if the debtor continues to occupy the dwelling that is the subject of the mortgage upon which the action is based, the court may issue a provisional order that requires the debtor to continue to make monthly payments with respect to the mortgage on which the action is based. The amount of the monthly payment:
(1) shall be determined by the court, which may base its determination on the debtor's ability to pay; and
(2) may not exceed the debtor's monthly obligation under the mortgage at the time the action is filed.
(c) Payments made by a debtor under an order issued by the court under subsection (b) shall be made to:
(1) the clerk of the court, who shall hold the payments in trust
for the parties; or
(2) an attorney trust account;
as directed by the court. The funds held by the clerk or in an
attorney trust account under this subsection may not be disbursed
unless the court issues an order for their disbursement.
(d) If the debtor and the creditor agree to enter into a
foreclosure prevention agreement under section 10(f) of this
chapter at any time after the debtor has made payments under an
order issued by the court under subsection (b), the debtor is
entitled to a credit of any amounts paid under the order.
(e) In an action to which this section applies, if:
(1) a judgment of foreclosure is issued by the court after the
conditions set forth in section 9 of this chapter are met;
(2) the debtor and the creditor agree to a deed in lieu of
foreclosure; or
(3) the debtor otherwise forfeits the dwelling that is the
subject of the mortgage upon which the action is based;
the debtor is not entitled to a refund of any payments made under
an order issued by the court under subsection (b), and any amounts
held in trust by the clerk of the court or in an attorney trust fund
shall be disbursed to the creditor and credited against the amount
of the judgment entered against the debtor or the amount
otherwise owed by the debtor.
(1) Except as provided in sections 8(e) and 10(h) of this chapter, the creditor has given the notice required under section 8(c) of this chapter.
(2) For a foreclosure action filed after June 30, 2009, but before July 1, 2011, the debtor either:
(A) does not contact the court within the thirty (30) day period described in section
(B) contacts the court within the thirty (30) day period described in section
unable to reach agreement on the terms of a foreclosure
prevention agreement.
(3) For a foreclosure action filed after June 30, 2011, either of
the following applies:
(A) The court receives notice of the debtor's election to opt
out of a settlement conference under section 10(b)(2) of this
chapter.
(B) The court receives notice under section 10(g) of this
chapter that after the conclusion of a settlement conference
held under this chapter, the creditor and the debtor are
unable to agree on the terms of a foreclosure prevention
agreement.
(3) (4) Except as provided in sections 8(e) and 10(h) of this
chapter, at least sixty (60) days have elapsed since the date the
notice required by section 8(a) of this chapter was sent, unless the
mortgaged property is abandoned.
(b) If the court finds that a settlement conference would be of
limited value based on the result of a prior loss mitigation effort
between the creditor and the debtor:
(1) a settlement conference is not required under this chapter; and
(2) the conditions set forth in subsection (a) do not apply, and the
foreclosure action may proceed as otherwise allowed by law.
(1) In a foreclosure action filed after June 30, 2009, but before July 1, 2011, if the debtor contacts the court to schedule a settlement conference as described in section
(2) In a foreclosure action filed after June 30, 2011, upon the filing of the creditor's complaint under section 8(d) of this chapter.
(b) The court's notice of a settlement conference under this section must do the following:
(1) Order the creditor and the debtor to conduct a settlement conference on or before a date and time specified in the notice, which date must not be earlier than
agreement.
(2) Encourage the debtor to contact a mortgage foreclosure
counselor before the date of the settlement conference. The notice
must provide the contact information for the Indiana Foreclosure
Prevention Network.
(3) Require the debtor to bring to the settlement conference and
the creditor to exchange, at least thirty (30) days before the
date of the settlement conference, the documents contained on
the Indiana housing and community development authority's
settlement list under IC 5-20-1-4. the following documents
needed to engage in good faith negotiations with the creditor:
(A) Documentation of the debtor's present and projected
future:
income,
expenses;
assets; and
liabilities.
including documentation of the debtor's employment history.
(B) Any other documentation or information that the court
determines is needed for the debtor to engage in good faith
negotiations with the creditor. The court shall identify any
documents required under this clause with enough specificity
to allow the debtor to obtain the documents before the
scheduled settlement conference.
(4) Require the creditor to bring to the settlement conference the
following transaction history for the mortgage:
(A) A copy of the original note and mortgage.
(B) A payment record substantiating the default.
(C) An itemization of all amounts claimed by the creditor as
being owed on the mortgage.
(D) Any other documentation that the court determines is
needed.
(5) (4) Inform the parties that:
(A) each party has the right to be represented by an attorney or
assisted by a mortgage foreclosure counselor at the settlement
conference; and
(B) subject to subsection (c), an attorney or a mortgage
foreclosure counselor may participate in the settlement
conference in person or by telephone.
(6) (5) Inform the parties that the settlement conference will be
conducted at the county courthouse, or at another place
designated by the court, on the date and time specified in the
notice under subdivision (1) unless the parties submit to the court
a stipulation to:
(A) modify the date, time, and place of the settlement
conference; or
(B) hold the settlement conference by telephone at a date and
time agreed to by the parties.
If the parties stipulate under clause (B) to conduct the settlement
conference by telephone, the parties shall ensure the availability
of any technology needed to allow simultaneous participation in
the settlement conference by all participants.
(b) (c) An attorney for the creditor shall attend the settlement
conference, and an authorized representative of the creditor shall be
available by telephone during the settlement conference. In addition,
the court may require any person that is a party to the foreclosure
action to appear at or participate in a settlement conference held under
this section, chapter, and, for cause shown, the court may order the
creditor and the debtor to reconvene a settlement conference at any
time before judgment is entered. Any costs to a creditor associated
with the use of a third party mediator or civil penalty imposed on
a creditor under subsection (j) may not be charged to or collected
from the debtor, either directly or indirectly.
(c) (d) At the court's discretion, a settlement conference may or may
not be attended by a judicial officer.
(d) (e) The creditor shall ensure that any person representing the
creditor:
(1) at a settlement conference scheduled under subsection (a); or
(2) in any negotiations with the debtor designed to reach
agreement on the terms of a foreclosure prevention agreement;
has authority to represent the creditor in negotiating a foreclosure
prevention agreement with the debtor.
(e) (f) If, as a result of a settlement conference held under this
section, chapter, the debtor and the creditor agree to enter into a
foreclosure prevention agreement, the agreement shall be reduced to
writing and signed by both parties, and each party shall retain a copy
of the signed agreement. Not later than seven (7) business days after
the signing of the foreclosure prevention agreement, the creditor shall
file with the court a copy of the signed agreement. At the election of the
creditor, the foreclosure shall be dismissed or stayed for as long as the
debtor complies with the terms of the foreclosure prevention
agreement.
(f) (g) If, as a result of a settlement conference held under this
section, chapter, the debtor and the creditor are unable to agree on the
terms of a foreclosure prevention agreement:
(1) the creditor shall, not later than seven (7) business days after
the conclusion of the settlement conference, file with the court a
notice indicating that the settlement conference held under this
section chapter has concluded and a foreclosure prevention
agreement was not reached; and
(2) the foreclosure action filed by the creditor may proceed as
otherwise allowed by law, subject to the court's right under
subsection (c) to order the creditor and the debtor to
reconvene a settlement conference at any time before
judgment is entered.
(g) (h) If:
(1) a foreclosure is dismissed by the creditor under subsection (e)
(f) after a foreclosure prevention agreement is reached; and
(2) a default in the terms of the foreclosure prevention agreement
later occurs;
the creditor or its assigns may bring a foreclosure action under
IC 32-30-10-3 with respect to the mortgage that is the subject of the
foreclosure prevention agreement without sending the notices
described in section 8 of this chapter.
(h) (i) Participation in a settlement conference under this section
chapter satisfies any mediation or alternative dispute resolution
requirement established by court rule.
(j) Subject to subsection (c), the court may impose sanctions,
including a civil penalty in an amount determined by the court, on
any party to a foreclosure action subject to this chapter for any
violation of:
(1) this chapter; or
(2) an order or rule of the court that is issued in connection
with, or that otherwise applies to, a foreclosure action subject
to this chapter.
(b) In a mortgage foreclosure action to which this section applies, the court having jurisdiction of the action shall serve notice of the availability of a settlement conference under
that the debtor:
(1) has the right to participate in a settlement conference,
subject to section 9(b) of this chapter; and
(2) may schedule a settlement conference by notifying the
court, not later than thirty (30) days after the notice required
by this section is served, of the debtor's intent to participate
in a settlement conference.
(1) IC 33-37-4-1(a) (criminal costs fees).
(2) IC 33-37-4-2(a) (infraction or ordinance violation costs fees).
(3) IC 33-37-4-3(a) (juvenile costs fees).
(4) IC 33-37-4-4(a) (civil costs fees).
(5) IC 33-37-4-6(a)(1)(A) (small claims costs fees).
(6) IC 33-37-4-7(a) (probate costs fees).
(7) IC 33-37-5-17 (deferred prosecution fees).
(b) The clerk of a circuit court shall distribute semiannually to the auditor of state for deposit in the state user fee fund established in IC 33-37-9-2 the following:
(1) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the drug abuse, prosecution, interdiction, and correction fees collected under IC 33-37-4-1(b)(5).
(2) Twenty-five percent (25%) of the alcohol and drug countermeasures fees collected under IC 33-37-4-1(b)(6), IC 33-37-4-2(b)(4), and IC 33-37-4-3(b)(5).
(3) Fifty percent (50%) of the child abuse prevention fees collected under IC 33-37-4-1(b)(7).
(4) One hundred percent (100%) of the domestic violence prevention and treatment fees collected under IC 33-37-4-1(b)(8).
(5) One hundred percent (100%) of the highway work zone fees collected under IC 33-37-4-1(b)(9) and IC 33-37-4-2(b)(5).
(6) One hundred percent (100%) of the safe schools fee collected
under IC 33-37-5-18.
(7) One hundred percent (100%) of the automated record keeping
fee (IC 33-37-5-21) not distributed under subsection (a).
(c) The clerk of a circuit court shall distribute monthly to the county
auditor the following:
(1) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the drug abuse, prosecution,
interdiction, and correction fees collected under
IC 33-37-4-1(b)(5).
(2) Seventy-five percent (75%) of the alcohol and drug
countermeasures fees collected under IC 33-37-4-1(b)(6),
IC 33-37-4-2(b)(4), and IC 33-37-4-3(b)(5).
The county auditor shall deposit fees distributed by a clerk under this
subsection into the county drug free community fund established under
IC 5-2-11.
(d) The clerk of a circuit court shall distribute monthly to the county
auditor fifty percent (50%) of the child abuse prevention fees collected
under IC 33-37-4-1(b)(7). The county auditor shall deposit fees
distributed by a clerk under this subsection into the county child
advocacy fund established under IC 12-17-17.
(e) The clerk of a circuit court shall distribute monthly to the county
auditor one hundred percent (100%) of the late payment fees collected
under IC 33-37-5-22. The county auditor shall deposit fees distributed
by a clerk under this subsection as follows:
(1) If directed to do so by an ordinance adopted by the county
fiscal body, the county auditor shall deposit forty percent (40%)
of the fees in the clerk's record perpetuation fund established
under IC 33-37-5-2 and sixty percent (60%) of the fees in the
county general fund.
(2) If the county fiscal body has not adopted an ordinance
described in subdivision (1), the county auditor shall deposit all
the fees in the county general fund.
(f) The clerk of the circuit court shall distribute semiannually to the
auditor of state for deposit in the sexual assault victims assistance
account established by IC 5-2-6-23(h) one hundred percent (100%) of
the sexual assault victims assistance fees collected under
IC 33-37-5-23.
(g) The clerk of a circuit court shall distribute monthly to the county
auditor the following:
(1) One hundred percent (100%) of the support and maintenance
fees for cases designated as non-Title IV-D child support cases in
the Indiana support enforcement tracking system (ISETS)
collected under IC 33-37-5-6.
(2) The percentage share of the support and maintenance fees for cases designated as IV-D child support cases in ISETS collected under IC 33-37-5-6 that is reimbursable to the county at the federal financial participation rate.
The county clerk shall distribute monthly to the office of the secretary of family and social services the percentage share of the support and maintenance fees for cases designated as Title IV-D child support cases in ISETS collected under IC 33-37-5-6 that is not reimbursable to the county at the applicable federal financial participation rate.
(h) The clerk of a circuit court shall distribute monthly to the county auditor the following:
(1) One hundred percent (100%) of the small claims service fee under IC 33-37-4-6(a)(1)(B) or IC 33-37-4-6(a)(2) for deposit in the county general fund.
(2) One hundred percent (100%) of the small claims garnishee service fee under IC 33-37-4-6(a)(1)(C) or IC 33-37-4-6(a)(3) for deposit in the county general fund.
(i) This subsection does not apply to court administration fees collected in small claims actions filed in a court described in IC 33-34. The clerk of a circuit court shall semiannually distribute to the auditor of state for deposit in the state general fund one hundred percent (100%) of the following:
(1) The public defense administration fee collected under IC 33-37-5-21.2.
(2) The judicial salaries fees collected under IC 33-37-5-26.
(3) The DNA sample processing fees collected under IC 33-37-5-26.2.
(4) The court administration fees collected under IC 33-37-5-27.
(j) The clerk of a circuit court shall semiannually distribute to the auditor of state for deposit in the judicial branch insurance adjustment account established by IC 33-38-5-8.2 one hundred percent (100%) of the judicial insurance adjustment fee collected under IC 33-37-5-25.
(k) The proceeds of the service fee collected under IC 33-37-5-28(b)(1) or IC 33-37-5-28(b)(2) shall be distributed as follows:
(1) The clerk shall distribute one hundred percent (100%) of the service fees collected in a circuit, superior, county, or probate court to the county auditor for deposit in the county general fund.
(2) The clerk shall distribute one hundred percent (100%) of the service fees collected in a city or town court to the city or town fiscal officer for deposit in the city or town general fund.
(l) The proceeds of the garnishee service fee collected under
IC 33-37-5-28(b)(3) or IC 33-37-5-28(b)(4) shall be distributed as
follows:
(1) The clerk shall distribute one hundred percent (100%) of the
garnishee service fees collected in a circuit, superior, county, or
probate court to the county auditor for deposit in the county
general fund.
(2) The clerk shall distribute one hundred percent (100%) of the
garnishee service fees collected in a city or town court to the city
or town fiscal officer for deposit in the city or town general fund.
(m) The clerk of the circuit court shall distribute semiannually to the
auditor of state for deposit in the home ownership education account
established by IC 5-20-1-27 one hundred percent (100%) of the
following:
(1) The mortgage foreclosure counseling and education fees
collected under IC 33-37-5-30 (before its expiration on January
1, 2013).
(2) Any civil penalties imposed and collected by the court
under IC 32-30-10.5-10(j).