Sec. 2. (a) The commissioner may file in the Marion County circuit court a petition alleging, with respect to a domestic insurer:

(1) that there exist grounds that justify a court order for a formal delinquency proceeding against the insurer under IC 27-9;

(2) that the interests of policyholders, creditors, or the public will be endangered by delay; and

(3) other matters the commissioner considers necessary.

     (b) Upon a filing under subsection (a), the Marion County circuit court may issue, ex parte, and without a hearing, the requested order that must:

(1) Direct the commissioner to take possession and control any part of the property, books, accounts, documents, and other records of an insurer.

(2) Direct the commissioner to take possession of the premises occupied by the insurer for transaction of its business.

(3) Until further order of the Marion County circuit court, enjoin the insurer and its officers, managers, agents, and employees from disposition of its property and from transaction of its business except with the written consent of the commissioner.

     (c) The Marion County circuit court shall specify the order’s duration, which shall be such time as the court considers necessary for the commissioner to determine the condition of the insurer. On motion of either party or on its own motion, the Marion County circuit court may hold hearings as it considers desirable after giving notice as it considers appropriate, and may extend, shorten, or modify the terms of the seizure order. The Marion County circuit court shall vacate the seizure order if the commissioner fails to commence a formal proceeding under IC 27-9 after having had a reasonable opportunity to do so. An order of the Marion County circuit court under a formal proceeding under IC 27-9 shall ipso facto vacate the seizure order.

     (d) Entry of a seizure order under this section does not constitute an anticipatory breach of any contract of the insurer.

     (e) An insurer subject to an ex parte order under this section may petition the Marion County circuit court at any time after the issuance of the order for a hearing and review of the order. The Marion County circuit court shall hold a hearing and review not more than fifteen (15) days after the request. A hearing under this subsection may be held privately in chambers, and the hearing must be held in chambers if the petitioning insurer requests it.

     (f) If, at any time after the issuance of an order, it appears to the Marion County circuit court that any person whose interest is or will be substantially affected by the order did not appear at the hearing and has not been served, the Marion County circuit court may order notice to be given to that person. An order that notice be given does not stay the effect of any order previously issued by the court.

As added by Acts 1979, P.L.255, SEC.1.