A towing company or a storage facility shall not do any of the following:

1. (1) Upon payment of all costs relating to a tow, motor vehicle storage, and all allowable fees, as applicable, refuse to release the motor vehicle during regular office hours to a properly identified person who owns or holds a lien on the motor vehicle in accordance with the procedures and subject to the same requirements set forth in IC 9-22-1-8 with respect to abandoned motor vehicles. However, a towing company or storage facility shall not release a motor vehicle in any case in which a local law enforcement agency has ordered the motor vehicle not to be released, or in any case in which the motor vehicle cannot be released because of pending litigation.

2. (2) Refuse to permit:

   1. (A) a properly identified person who owns or holds a lien on a motor vehicle; or

   2. (B) a representative of the insurance company that insures the motor vehicle, if the vehicle is covered by an active policy of insurance;

      to inspect the motor vehicle during regular office hours before all costs incurred against the motor vehicle are paid or the motor vehicle is released. An inspection fee may not be charged for an inspection that occurs during regular office hours.

3. (3) Charge any storage fee for a stored motor vehicle with respect to any day on which:

   1. (A) release of the motor vehicle; or

   2. (B) inspection of the motor vehicle by the owner, lienholder, or insurance company;

      is not permitted during regular office hours by the towing company or storage facility.

As added by P.L.281-2019, SEC.5.