1. 1. A person shall not act in the capacity of a title agency or title agent and a title insurer may not contract with any person to act in the capacity of a title agency or title agent with respect to risks located in this state unless the person is a licensed title agency or title agent in this state.
2. 2. An individual employed by a licensed title agency or title agent to whom the agency or agent delegates authority to act on that agency's or agent's behalf shall be either individually licensed or be named on the employing agent's license if such employee performs any of the functions defined in paragraph (a) of subdivision (25) of section 381.009. Each person named on the license shall possess all qualifications determined by the director to be appropriate. The director may adopt rules, regulations, and requirements relating to licensing and practices of persons acting in the capacity of title agencies or agents. These persons may include title agencies, title agents, employees of either, and persons acting on behalf of title agencies or title agents. This subsection is not intended to include persons performing clerical functions.

3. 3. Every title agency licensed in this state shall:

   1. (1) Exclude or eliminate the word insurer or underwriter from its business name, unless the word agency is also included as part of the name; and
   2. (2) Provide, in a timely fashion, each title insurer with which it places business any information the title insurer requests in order to comply with reporting requirements of the director.
4. 4. A title agency or title agent licensed in this state prior to the effective date of this chapter shall have ninety days after the effective date of this chapter to comply with the requirements of this section.
5. 5. If the title agency or title agent delegates the title search to a third party, such as an abstract company, the agency or agent must first obtain proof that the third party is operating in compliance with rules and regulations established by the director and the third party shall provide the agency or agent and the insurer with access to and the right to copy all accounts and records maintained by the third party with respect to business placed with the title insurer. Proof from the third party may consist of a signed statement indicating compliance, and shall be effective for a three-year period. Each violation of this subsection is a class C violation as that term is defined in section 381.045.

(L.2000 S.B. 894)

Effective 1-1-01

(2002) Senate Bill 894 provision declared unconstitutional as a violation of the clear title requirement of Art. III, Section 23. Home Builders of Greater St. Louis v. State, 75 S.W.3d 267 (Mo.banc).