Sec. 7. (a) If a witness, in a hearing, an inquiry, or an investigation conducted under this article, refuses to answer a question or produce an item, the commissioner may file a written petition with the circuit or superior court in the county where the hearing, investigation, or inquiry is conducted requesting a hearing on the refusal.

     (b) The court described in subsection (a) shall hold a hearing to determine if the witness may refuse to answer the question or produce the item.

     (c) If the court described in subsection (a) determines that the witness, based upon the witness’s privilege against self-incrimination, may properly refuse to answer or produce an item, the commissioner may make a written request that the court grant use immunity to the witness.

     (d) Upon written request of the commissioner under subsection (c), the court shall grant use immunity to the witness and instruct the witness, by written order or in open court, that:

(1) any evidence the witness gives, or evidence derived from the evidence given, may not be used in a criminal proceeding against the witness, unless the evidence is volunteered by the witness or is not responsive to a question; and

(2) the witness must answer the questions asked and produce the items requested.

     (e) A grant of use immunity under this section does not prohibit evidence that the witness gives in a hearing, investigation, or inquiry from being used in a prosecution for perjury under IC 35-44.1-2-1.

     (f) If a witness refuses to give evidence after the witness has been granted use immunity, the court may find the witness in contempt.

As added by P.L.175-2019, SEC.2.