2023 Indiana Code › Title 25. Professions and Occupations › Article 11. Collection Agencies › Chapter 1. Licensing of Collection Agencies by Secretary of State › 25-11-1-9. Revocation or Suspension of License; Hearing Procedure; Violations; Investigation; Orders and Notices; Hearing; Costs; Discovery

Sec. 9. (a) Upon the filing with the secretary of state, by any interested person, of a verified written complaint which charges any licensee hereunder with a specific violation of any of the provisions of this chapter, the secretary of state shall cause an investigation of the complaint to be made. If the investigation shows probable cause for the revocation or suspension of the license, the secretary of state shall send a written notice to such licensee, stating in such notice the alleged grounds for the revocation or suspension and fixing a time and place for the hearing thereof. The hearing shall be held not less than five (5) days nor more than twenty (20) days from the time of the mailing of the notice, unless the parties consent otherwise. The secretary of state may subpoena witnesses, books, and records and may administer oaths. The licensee may appear and defend against such charges in person or by counsel. If upon such hearing the secretary of state finds the charges to be true, the secretary of state shall either revoke or suspend the license of the licensee. Suspension shall be for a time certain and in no event for a longer period than one (1) year. No license shall be issued to any person whose license has been revoked for a period of two (2) years from the date of revocation. Reapplication for a license, after revocation as provided, shall be made in the same manner as provided in this chapter for an original application for a license.
(b) Whenever it appears to the secretary of state that a person has engaged in or is about to engage in an act or practice constituting a violation of this chapter or a rule or order under this chapter, the secretary of state may investigate and may issue, with or without a prior hearing, orders and notices as the secretary of state determines to be in the public interest, including cease and desist orders, orders to show cause, and notices. After notice and hearing, the secretary of state may enter an order of rescission, restitution, or disgorgement, including interest at the rate of eight percent (8%) per year, directed to a person who has violated this chapter or a rule or order under this chapter. In addition to all other remedies, the secretary of state may bring an action in the name of and on behalf of the state against the person and any other person participating in or about to participate in a violation of this chapter, to enjoin the person from continuing or doing an act furthering a violation of this chapter and may obtain the appointment of a receiver or conservator. Upon a proper showing by the secretary of state, the court shall enter an order of rescission, restitution, or disgorgement of the secretary of state directed to a person who has violated this chapter or a rule or order under this chapter.
(c) Upon the issuance of an order or a notice by the secretary of state under subsection (b), the secretary of state shall promptly notify the respondent of the following:
(1) That the order or notice has been issued.
(2) The reasons the order or notice has been issued.
(3) That upon the receipt of a written request the matter will be set for a hearing to commence not less than five (5) days and not more than twenty (20) days after the secretary of state receives the request, unless the parties consent otherwise.
If the respondent does not request a hearing and the secretary of state does not order a hearing, the order or notice will remain in effect until it is modified or vacated by the secretary of state. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the secretary of state, after giving notice of the hearing, may modify or vacate the order or extend it until final determination.
(d) In a proceeding in a circuit or superior court under this section, the secretary of state is entitled to recover all costs and expenses of investigation to which the securities commissioner would be entitled in an administrative proceeding under IC 23-19-6-4, and the court shall include the costs in its final judgment.
(e) For the purpose of any investigation or proceeding under this chapter, the secretary of state may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements, or other documents or records that the secretary of state considers material to the inquiry.
(f) Upon order of the secretary of state in any hearing, a deposition may be taken of any witness. A deposition under this chapter shall be:
(1) conducted in the manner prescribed by law for depositions in civil actions; and
(2) made returnable to the secretary of state.
(g) If any person fails to obey a subpoena, the circuit or superior court, upon application by the secretary of state, may issue to the person an order requiring the person to appear before the secretary of state to produce documentary evidence, if so ordered, or to give evidence concerning the matter under investigation.
(h) A person is not excused from:
(1) attending any hearing or testifying before the secretary of state; or
(2) producing any document or record;
in obedience to a subpoena of the secretary of state, or in any proceeding instituted by the secretary of state, on the grounds that the testimony or evidence, documentary or otherwise, required of the person may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture. However, a person may not be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of any transaction, matter, or thing about which the person is compelled, after validly claiming the person's privilege against self-incrimination, to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise.
Formerly: Acts 1937, c.92, s.9; Acts 1955, c.304, s.9. As amended by Acts 1982, P.L.154, SEC.44; P.L.178-1996, SEC.8; P.L.230-2007, SEC.21; P.L.3-2008, SEC.184; P.L.1-2009, SEC.139.