Indiana Code 30-2-13-38. Uncured deceptive acts; violations; injunctive relief; private right of action
(b) A person doing business as a sole proprietor, a firm, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, or a partnership, but not acting as a seller that:
Attorney's Note
Under the Indiana Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Level 5 felony | between 1 and 6 years | up to $10,000 |
| Class A misdemeanor | up to 1 year | up to $5,000 |
Terms Used In Indiana Code 30-2-13-38
- agent: means a person authorized by a seller to offer, sell, or solicit the sale of a contract on behalf of the seller and includes an employee or independent contractor of the seller. See Indiana Code 30-2-13-2
- Attorney: includes a counselor or other person authorized to appear and represent a party in an action or special proceeding. See Indiana Code 1-1-4-5
- board: refers to the state board of funeral and cemetery service established by IC 25-15-9-1. See Indiana Code 30-2-13-3
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
- Fiduciary: A trustee, executor, or administrator.
- Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
- purchaser: means a person or firm contracting with a seller for services or merchandise to be provided or delivered for a named individual. See Indiana Code 30-2-13-9
- seller: means a person doing business as a sole proprietor, a firm, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, or a partnership contracting to provide services or merchandise, or both, to a named individual. See Indiana Code 30-2-13-10
- services or merchandise: includes personal property or services:
Indiana Code 30-2-13-8
- Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
(2) sells or advertises prepaid services or merchandise or services or merchandise (as defined in section 8 of this chapter) after the entity’s certificate of authority has:
(A) expired; or
(B) been rescinded, revoked, or suspended by the board;
commits a Class A misdemeanor. Each act committed in violation of this subsection constitutes a separate offense.
(c) The following may maintain an action to enjoin an individual or entity from continuing to violate this section:
(1) The board.
(2) The attorney general.
(3) The prosecuting attorney of a county in which a violation occurs.
(d) A purchaser has a private right of action against a seller who commits an uncured deceptive act.
(e) A trustee or escrow agent, acting as a fiduciary, that disburses funds in a trust or escrow account established under this chapter without verifying that the seller has delivered the services or merchandise for which the funds were deposited through the use of documentation required under rules adopted by the state board of funeral and cemetery service established by IC 25-15-9-1 commits a Class A infraction.
(f) A person who knowingly or intentionally uses or disburses funds in a trust or escrow account established under this chapter for purposes other than the purposes required under this chapter commits a Level 5 felony.
As added by P.L.114-1999, SEC.19. Amended by P.L.61-2008, SEC.10; P.L.143-2009, SEC.18; P.L.158-2013, SEC.306.