Ind. Code § 28-1-29-13 – Enforcement by the department; civil penalties; department's recovery of costs; factors for determining amount of civil penalty; violation a Class A misdemeanor

(a) The department may enforce this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter by taking one (1) or more of the following actions:
1. (1) Order a debt management company or a director, employee, or other agent of a debt management company to cease and desist from any violations.
2. (2) Order a debt management company or a person that has caused a violation to correct the violation, including making restitution of money or property to a person aggrieved by a violation.
3. (3) Prosecute a civil action to:
  1. (A) enforce an order;
  2. (B) obtain restitution, an injunction, or other equitable relief; or
  3. (C) accomplish both clauses (A) and (B).
(b) Subject to subsection (c), if the department determines, after notice and an opportunity to be heard, that a person has violated this chapter, the department may, in addition to or instead of all other remedies available under this section, impose upon the person a civil penalty not greater than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation.
(c) If a person violates or knowingly authorizes, directs, or aids in the violation of a final order issued under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2), the department may impose a civil penalty of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for each violation.
(d) The department may maintain an action in any county to enforce this chapter.
(e) The department may recover the reasonable costs of enforcing this chapter under subsections (a) through (d), including attorney's fees.
(f) In determining the amount of a civil penalty to impose under subsection (b) or (c), the department shall consider:
1. (1) the seriousness of the violation;
2. (2) the good faith of the person who violated this chapter;
3. (3) any previous violations by the person who violated this chapter;
4. (4) the deleterious effect of the violation on the public;
5. (5) the net worth of the person who violated this chapter; and
6. (6) any other factor the department considers relevant to the determination of a civil penalty.
(g) In addition to the revocation provision of section 4 of this chapter, a person who violates section 3, 5, 6, 8, 8.3, 9, or 9.5 of this chapter commits a Class A misdemeanor, and the license of the licensee shall be revoked on the date of the conviction of an offense.
Formerly: Acts 1971, P.L.397, SEC.1; Acts 1972, P.L.10, SEC.6. As amended by Acts 1978, P.L.2, SEC.2815; P.L.42-1993, SEC.58; P.L.35-2010, SEC.135; P.L.89-2011, SEC.44.