Current through P.L. 171-2024
Section 23-19-6-4 - Violations; investigations; cease and desist orders and other orders; hearings; civil penalties; appeals; civil contempt; certified copy of order(a) If the commissioner determines that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this article or a rule adopted or order issued under this article or that a person has materially aided, is materially aiding, or is about to materially aid an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this article or a rule adopted or order issued under this article, the commissioner may: (1) investigate and may issue, with or without a prior hearing, orders and notices as the commissioner determines to be in the public interest, including cease and desist orders, orders to show cause, and notices. After notice and hearing, the commissioner may enter an order of rescission, restitution, or disgorgement, including interest at the legal rate of interest, directed to a person who has violated this article or a rule or order under this article;(2) issue an order denying, suspending, revoking, or conditioning the exemptions for a broker-dealer under IC 23-19-4-1(b)(1)(D) or IC 23-19-4-1(b)(1)(F) or an investment adviser under IC 23-19-4-3(b)(1)(C); or(3) issue an order under IC 23-19-2-4.(b) An order under subsection (a) is effective on the date of issuance. Upon issuance of the order, the commissioner shall promptly serve each person subject to the order with a copy of the order and a notice that the order has been entered. The order must include a statement whether the commissioner will seek a civil penalty or costs of the investigation, a statement of the reasons for the order, and notice that, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a request in a record from the person, the matter will be scheduled for a hearing. If a person subject to the order does not request a hearing and none is ordered by the commissioner within forty-five (45) days after the date of service of the order, the order, which may include a civil penalty or costs of the investigation if a civil penalty or costs were sought in the statement accompanying the order, becomes final as to that person by operation of law. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the commissioner, after notice of and opportunity for hearing to each person subject to the order, may modify or vacate the order or extend it until final determination.(c) If a hearing is requested or ordered under subsection (b), the hearing must be held not later than fifteen (15) business days after receipt if the original order issued by the commissioner was a summary suspension, summary revocation, or denial of a license and not later than forty-five (45) business days after receipt for all other orders. A final order may not be issued unless the commissioner makes findings of fact and conclusions of law in a record. The final order may make final, vacate, or modify the order issued under subsection (a).(d) In a final order under subsection (c), the commissioner may impose a civil penalty up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation. Penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the securities division enforcement account established under section 1 of this chapter.(e) In a final order, the commissioner may charge the cost of an investigation or proceeding for a violation of this article or a rule adopted or order issued under this article.(f) If a petition for judicial review of a final order is not filed in accordance with section 9 of this chapter, the commissioner may file a certified copy of the final order with the clerk of a court with jurisdiction. The order so filed has the same effect as a judgment of the court and may be recorded, enforced, or satisfied in the same manner as a judgment of the court.(g) If a person does not comply with an order under this section, the commissioner may petition a court with jurisdiction to enforce the order. The court may not require the commissioner to post a bond in an action or proceeding under this section. If the court finds, after service and opportunity for hearing, that the person was not in compliance with the order, the court may adjudge the person in civil contempt of the order. The court may impose a further civil penalty against the person for contempt in an amount not greater than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for each violation and may grant any other relief the court determines is just and proper in the circumstances.(h) The commissioner shall send a certified copy of every final order that suspends or revokes a person's registration under this article, or that orders a person who is not registered under this article to cease and desist from violating this article, to the insurance commissioner appointed under IC 27-1-1-2. The insurance commissioner shall act in accordance with IC 27-1-15.6-29.5.As added by P.L. 27-2007, SEC.23. Amended by P.L. 156-2009, SEC.24.