Section 374.048

Title XXIV BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

Chapter 374

Effective - 28 Aug 2006   

  374.048.  Violations of state laws, action in circuit court — relief — bond — venue — judgment — fund created. — 1.  If the director believes that a person has engaged, is engaging in or has taken a substantial step toward engaging in an act, practice, omission, or course of business constituting a violation of the laws of this state relating to insurance in this chapter, chapter 354 and chapters 375 to 385, or a rule adopted or order issued pursuant thereto or that a person has or is engaging in an act, practice, omission, or course of business that materially aids a violation of the laws of this state relating to insurance in this chapter, chapter 354 and chapters 375 to 385, or a rule adopted or order issued pursuant thereto, the director may maintain an action in the circuit court of any county of the state or any city not within a county to enjoin the act, practice, omission, or course of business and to enforce compliance with the laws of this state relating to insurance or a rule adopted or order issued by the director.

  2.  In an action under this section and on a proper showing, the court may:

  (1)  Issue a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or declaratory judgment;

  (2)  Order other appropriate or ancillary relief, which may include:

  (a)  An asset freeze, accounting, writ of attachment, writ of general or specific execution, and appointment of a receiver or conservator, which may be the director, for the defendant or the defendant's assets;

  (b)  Ordering the director to take charge and control of a defendant's property, including accounts in a depository institution, rents, and profits; to collect debts; and to acquire and dispose of property;

  (c)  Imposing a civil penalty or forfeiture as provided in section 374.049;

  (d)  Upon showing financial loss, injury, or harm to identifiable consumers, imposing an order of restitution or disgorgement directed to a person who has engaged in an act, practice, omission, or course of business in violation of the laws or rules relating to insurance;

  (e)  Ordering the payment of prejudgment and postjudgment interest;

  (f)  Ordering reasonable costs of investigation and prosecution; and

  (g)  Ordering the payment to the insurance dedicated fund an additional amount equal to ten percent of the total restitution or disgorgement ordered, or such other amount as awarded by the court, which shall be appropriated to an insurance consumer education program administered by the director; or

  (3)  Order such other relief as the court considers necessary or appropriate.

  3.  The director may not be required to post a bond in an action or proceeding under this section.

  4.  The case may be brought in the circuit court of Cole County, any county or city not within a county in which a violation has occurred, or any county or city not within a county which has venue of an action against the person, partnership, or corporation under other provisions of law.

  5.  The enforcement authority of the director under this section is cumulative to any other authority of the director to impose orders under other provisions of the laws relating to insurance in this state.

  6.  If the director determines it to be in the public interest, the director is authorized to enter into a consent injunction and judgment in the settlement of any proceeding under the laws of this state relating to insurance in this chapter, chapter 354 and chapters 375 to 385.

  7.  A "Consumer Restitution Fund" shall be created for the purpose of preserving and distributing to aggrieved consumers disgorgement or restitution funds obtained through enforcement proceedings brought by the director.  In addition to the equitable powers of the court authorized above, the court may order that such funds be paid into the consumer restitution fund for distribution to aggrieved consumers.  It shall be the duty of the director to distribute such funds to those persons injured by the unlawful acts, practices, omissions, or courses of business by the subject of the proceeding.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 33.080, any funds remaining in the director's consumer restitution fund at the end of any biennium shall not be transferred to the general revenue fund, but if the director is unable with reasonable efforts to ascertain the aggrieved consumers, then the funds may be transferred to the insurance dedicated fund to be used for consumer education.

­­--------

(L. 2006 H.B. 1837)