Sec. 6. (a) Each application for a license must be accompanied by proof that the applicant has executed a surety bond in accordance with this section.

     (b) A surety bond issued under this section must:

(1) be in a form prescribed by the director;

(2) be in effect during the term of the license issued under this chapter;

(3) subject to subsection (c), remain in effect during the two (2) years after the license of the licensee is surrendered or terminated;

(4) be payable to the department for the benefit of:

(A) the state; and

(B) individuals who reside in Indiana when they agree to receive debt management services from the licensee;

(5) be in an amount equal to:

(A) fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), in the case of an initial surety bond issued under this section; or

(B) the amount prescribed under subsection (d), beginning with the first renewal of a license under this chapter;

(6) be issued by a bonding, surety, or insurance company authorized to do business in Indiana and rated at least “A-” by at least one (1) nationally recognized investment rating service; and

(7) have payment conditioned upon the licensee’s or any of the licensee’s employees’ or agents’ noncompliance with or violation of this chapter or other applicable federal or state laws or regulations.

     (c) The director may adopt rules or guidance documents with respect to the requirements for a surety bond as necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. Upon written request from a licensee, the director may, at the discretion of the director, waive or shorten the two (2) year period set forth in subsection (b)(3) during which a surety bond required by this section must remain in effect after the licensee’s license is surrendered or terminated.

     (d) Beginning with the first renewal of a license under this chapter, each year that a licensee continues to offer debt management services to individuals in Indiana, the licensee shall file a new or an additional surety bond in an amount that ensures that the licensee’s surety bond under this section is equal to the greater of the following:

(1) fifty thousand dollars ($50,000); or

(2) the average of the highest daily balance of funds held in trust for Indiana residents for each month during the licensee’s most recently concluded fiscal year, not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).

     (e) If the principal amount of a surety bond required under this section is reduced by payment of a claim or judgment, the licensee for whom the bond is issued shall immediately notify the director of the reduction and, not later than thirty (30) days after notice by the director, file a new or an additional surety bond in an amount set by the director. The amount of the new or additional bond set by the director must be at least the amount of the bond before payment of the claim or judgment.

     (f) If for any reason a surety terminates a bond issued under this section, the licensee shall immediately notify the department and file a new surety bond in an amount as prescribed in subsection (b)(5).

     (g) Cancellation of a surety bond issued under this section does not affect any liability incurred or accrued during the period when the surety bond was in effect.

     (h) The director may obtain satisfaction from a surety bond issued under this section if the director incurs expenses, issues a final order, or recovers a final judgment under this chapter.

     (i) Notices required under this section must be made in writing and submitted through the NMLSR or any other electronic registration system that may be approved by the director.

Formerly: Acts 1971, P.L.397, SEC.1; Acts 1972, P.L.10, SEC.6. As amended by Acts 1981, P.L.256, SEC.3; P.L.42-1993, SEC.53; P.L.35-2010, SEC.124; P.L.216-2013, SEC.23; P.L.176-2019, SEC.57; P.L.129-2020, SEC.10.