Ind. Code § 23-2-5-11 – Powers and duties of commissioner; use immunity for witnesses; certificate of compliance or noncompliance; authority to compel compliance; multistate automated licensing system and repository

(a) The commissioner may do the following:
1. (1) Adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to implement this chapter.
2. (2) Make investigations and examinations:
  1. (A) in connection with any application for licensure under this chapter or with any license already granted; or
  2. (B) whenever it appears to the commissioner, upon the basis of a complaint or information, that reasonable grounds exist for the belief that an investigation or examination is necessary or advisable for the more complete protection of the interests of the public.
3. (3) Charge as costs of investigation or examination all reasonable expenses, including a per diem prorated upon the salary of the commissioner or employee and actual traveling and hotel expenses. All reasonable expenses are to be paid by the party or parties under investigation or examination if the party has violated this chapter.
4. (4) Issue notices and orders, including cease and desist notices and orders, after making an investigation or examination under subdivision (2). The commissioner shall notify the person that an order or notice has been issued, the reasons for it, and that a hearing will be set not later than fifteen (15) business days after the commissioner receives a written request from the person requesting a hearing 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 the commissioner receives a written request from the person requesting a hearing for all other orders.
5. (5) Sign all orders, official certifications, documents, or papers issued under this chapter or delegate the authority to sign any of those items to a deputy.
6. (6) Hold and conduct hearings.
7. (7) Hear evidence.
8. (8) Conduct inquiries with or without hearings.
9. (9) Receive reports of investigators or other officers or employees of the state of Indiana or of any municipal corporation or governmental subdivision within the state.
10. (10) Administer oaths, or cause them to be administered.
11. (11) Subpoena witnesses, and compel them to attend and testify.
12. (12) Compel the production of books, records, and other documents.
13. (13) Order depositions to be taken of any witness residing within or without the state. The depositions shall be taken in the manner prescribed by law for depositions in civil actions and made returnable to the commissioner.
14. (14) Order that each witness appearing under the commissioner's order to testify before the commissioner shall receive the fees and mileage allowances provided for witnesses in civil cases.
15. (15) Provide interpretive opinions or issue determinations that the commissioner will not institute a proceeding or an action under this chapter against a specified person for engaging in a specified act, practice, or course of business if the determination is consistent with this chapter. The commissioner may adopt rules to establish fees for individuals requesting an interpretive opinion or a determination under this subdivision. A person may not request an interpretive opinion or a determination concerning an activity that:
  1. (A) occurred before; or
  2. (B) is occurring on;
    the date the opinion or determination is requested.
16. (16) Subject to subsection (f), designate a multistate automated licensing system and repository, established and operated by a third party, to serve as the sole entity responsible for:
  1. (A) processing applications for:
    1. (i) licenses under this chapter; and
    2. (ii) renewals of licenses under this chapter; and
  2. (B) performing other services that the commissioner determines are necessary for the orderly administration of the division's licensing system.
    A multistate automated licensing system and repository described in this subdivision may include the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry established by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators. The commissioner may take any action necessary to allow the division to participate in a multistate automated licensing system and repository.
(b) If a witness, in any hearing, inquiry, or investigation conducted under this chapter, refuses to answer any question or produce any item, the commissioner may file a written petition with the circuit or superior court in the county where the hearing, investigation, or inquiry in question is being conducted requesting a hearing on the refusal. The court shall hold a hearing to determine if the witness may refuse to answer the question or produce the item. If the court determines that the witness, based upon the witness's privilege against self-incrimination, may properly refuse to answer or produce an item, the commissioner may make a written request that the court grant use immunity to the witness. Upon written request of the commissioner, the court shall grant use immunity to a witness. The court shall instruct the witness, by written order or in open court, that:
1. (1) any evidence the witness gives, or evidence derived from that evidence, may not be used in any criminal proceedings against that witness, unless the evidence is volunteered by the witness or is not responsive to a question; and
2. (2) the witness must answer the questions asked and produce the items requested.
  A grant of use immunity does not prohibit evidence that the witness gives in a hearing, investigation, or inquiry from being used in a prosecution for perjury under IC 35-44.1-2-1 . If a witness refuses to give the evidence after the witness has been granted use immunity, the court may find the witness in contempt.
(c) In any prosecution, action, suit, or proceeding based upon or arising out of this chapter, the commissioner may sign a certificate showing compliance or noncompliance with this chapter by any person. This shall constitute prima facie evidence of compliance or noncompliance with this chapter and shall be admissible in evidence in any action at law or in equity to enforce this chapter.
(d) If:
1. (1) a person disobeys any lawful:
  1. (A) subpoena issued under this chapter; or
  2. (B) order or demand requiring the production of any books, accounts, papers, records, documents, or other evidence or information as provided in this chapter; or
2. (2) a witness refuses to:
  1. (A) appear when subpoenaed;
  2. (B) testify to any matter about which the witness may be lawfully interrogated; or
  3. (C) take or subscribe to any oath required by this chapter;
    the circuit or superior court of the county in which the hearing, inquiry, or investigation in question is held, if demand is made or if, upon written petition, the production is ordered to be made, or the commissioner or a hearing officer appointed by the commissioner, shall compel compliance with the lawful requirements of the subpoena, order, or demand, compel the production of the necessary or required books, papers, records, documents, and other evidence and information, and compel any witness to attend in any Indiana county and to testify to any matter about which the witness may lawfully be interrogated, and to take or subscribe to any oath required.
(e) If a person fails, refuses, or neglects to comply with a court order under this section, the person shall be punished for contempt of court.
(f) The commissioner's authority to designate a multistate automated licensing system and repository under subsection (a)(16) is subject to the following:
1. (1) The commissioner may not require any person that is not required to be licensed under this chapter, or any employee or agent of a person that is not required to be licensed under this chapter, to:
  1. (A) submit information to; or
  2. (B) participate in;
    the multistate automated licensing system and repository.
2. (2) The commissioner may require a person required under this chapter to submit information to the multistate automated licensing system and repository to pay a processing fee considered reasonable by the commissioner.

As added by P.L.235-1985, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.230-1999, SEC.6; P.L.48-2006, SEC.8; P.L.145-2008, SEC.15; P.L.156-2009, SEC.9; P.L.114-2010, SEC.6; P.L.126-2012, SEC.39.