130th Ohio General Assembly
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Sub. S. B. No. 185  As Passed by the Senate
As Passed by the Senate

126th General Assembly
Regular Session
2005-2006
Sub. S. B. No. 185


Senators Padgett, Schuring, Roberts, Carey, Amstutz, Armbruster, Brady, Dann, Fedor, Fingerhut, Grendell, Hagan, Harris, Jacobson, Miller, Prentiss, Spada, Zurz, Mumper, Clancy 



A BILL
To amend sections 109.572, 1322.03, 1322.031, 1322.04, 1322.041, 1322.051, 1322.06, 1322.061, 1322.062, 1322.07, 1322.10, 1322.11, 1322.99, 1345.01, 1345.09, 1349.31, 4735.05, 4763.03, 4763.05, 4763.06, 4763.12, 4763.13, and 4763.99 and to enact sections 1321.541, 1322.063, 1322.064, 1322.074, 1322.075, 1322.081, 1345.091, 1349.41, 1349.43, 1349.44, and 4763.19 of the Revised Code to modify the application of, and damages available under, the Consumer Sales Practices Act; to generally prohibit the appraisal of real estate for a mortgage loan without state certification or licensure; to require that a national criminal background check be conducted on all applicants for a mortgage broker certificate of registration, loan officer license, or real estate appraiser certificate or license; to modify the Mortgage Broker/Loan Officer Law with respect to disclosure of information, fiduciary duties, prohibited acts, record keeping, and pre-licensure examination; and to make other changes relative to mortgage lending.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 109.572, 1322.03, 1322.031, 1322.04, 1322.041, 1322.051, 1322.06, 1322.061, 1322.062, 1322.07, 1322.10, 1322.11, 1322.99, 1345.01, 1345.09, 1349.31, 4735.05, 4763.03, 4763.05, 4763.06, 4763.12, 4763.13, and 4763.99 be amended and sections 1321.541, 1322.063, 1322.064, 1322.074, 1322.075, 1322.081, 1345.091, 1349.41, 1349.43, 1349.44, and 4763.19 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 109.572. (A)(1) Upon receipt of a request pursuant to section 121.08, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 5104.012, 5104.013, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;
(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(1)(a) of this section.
(2) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 5123.081 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in any position with the department of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, pursuant to section 5126.28 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in any position with a county board of mental retardation and developmental disabilities, or pursuant to section 5126.281 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment in a direct services position with an entity contracting with a county board for employment, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2903.341, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.04, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;
(b) An existing or former municipal ordinance or law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(2)(a) of this section.
(3) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 173.41, 3712.09, 3721.121, or 3722.151 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check with respect to any person who has applied for employment in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(3)(a) of this section.
(4) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a home health agency as a person responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.04, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code or a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(4)(a) of this section.
(5) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 5111.95 or 5111.96 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a waiver agency participating in a department of job and family services administered home and community-based waiver program or an independent provider participating in a department administered home and community-based waiver program in a position that involves providing home and community-based waiver services to consumers with disabilities, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.041, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.12, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(5)(a) of this section.
(6) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with respect to an applicant for employment with a home health agency in a position that involves providing direct care to an older adult, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.11, 2905.12, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.12, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2911.13, 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.40, 2913.43, 2913.47, 2913.51, 2919.25, 2921.36, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.11, 2925.13, 2925.22, 2925.23, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code;
(b) An existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(6)(a) of this section.
(7) When conducting a criminal records check upon a request pursuant to section 3319.39 of the Revised Code for an applicant who is a teacher, in addition to the determination made under division (A)(1) of this section, the superintendent shall determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense specified in section 3319.31 of the Revised Code.
(8) On a request pursuant to section 2151.86 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2903.01, 2903.02, 2903.03, 2903.04, 2903.11, 2903.12, 2903.13, 2903.16, 2903.21, 2903.34, 2905.01, 2905.02, 2905.05, 2907.02, 2907.03, 2907.04, 2907.05, 2907.06, 2907.07, 2907.08, 2907.09, 2907.21, 2907.22, 2907.23, 2907.25, 2907.31, 2907.32, 2907.321, 2907.322, 2907.323, 2909.02, 2909.03, 2911.01, 2911.02, 2911.11, 2911.12, 2919.12, 2919.22, 2919.24, 2919.25, 2923.12, 2923.13, 2923.161, 2925.02, 2925.03, 2925.04, 2925.05, 2925.06, or 3716.11 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, a violation of section 2919.23 of the Revised Code that would have been a violation of section 2905.04 of the Revised Code as it existed prior to July 1, 1996, had the violation been committed prior to that date, a violation of section 2925.11 of the Revised Code that is not a minor drug possession offense, or felonious sexual penetration in violation of former section 2907.12 of the Revised Code;
(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in division (A)(8)(a) of this section.
(9) When conducting a criminal records check on a request pursuant to section 5104.013 of the Revised Code for a person who is an owner, licensee, or administrator of a child day-care center or type A family day-care home or an authorized provider of a certified type B family day-care home, the superintendent, in addition to the determination made under division (A)(1) of this section, shall determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following:
(a) A violation of section 2913.02, 2913.03, 2913.04, 2913.041, 2913.05, 2913.06, 2913.11, 2913.21, 2913.31, 2913.32, 2913.33, 2913.34, 2913.40, 2913.41, 2913.42, 2913.43, 2913.44, 2913.441, 2913.45, 2913.46, 2913.47, 2913.48, 2913.49, 2921.11, 2921.13, or 2923.01 of the Revised Code, a violation of section 2923.02 or 2923.03 of the Revised Code that relates to a crime specified in this division or division (A)(1)(a) of this section, or a second violation of section 4511.19 of the Revised Code within five years of the date of application for licensure or certification.
(b) A violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses or violations described in division (A)(9)(a) of this section.
(10) On receipt of a request for a criminal records check from an individual pursuant to section 4749.03 or 4749.06 of the Revised Code, accompanied by a completed copy of the form prescribed in division (C)(1) of this section and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in a manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists indicating that the person who is the subject of the request has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to a felony in this state or in any other state. If the individual indicates that a firearm will be carried in the course of business, the superintendent shall require information from the federal bureau of investigation as described in division (B)(2) of this section. The superintendent shall report the findings of the criminal records check and any information the federal bureau of investigation provides to the director of public safety.
(11) On receipt of a request pursuant to section 1322.03, 1322.031, or 4763.05 of the Revised Code, a completed form prescribed pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section, and a set of fingerprint impressions obtained in the manner described in division (C)(2) of this section, the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall conduct a criminal records check with respect to any person who has applied for a license, permit, or certification from the department of commerce or a division in the department. The superintendent shall conduct the criminal records check in the manner described in division (B) of this section to determine whether any information exists that indicates that the person who is the subject of the request previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the following: a violation of section 2913.02, 2913.11, 2913.31, 2913.51, or 2925.03 of the Revised Code; any other criminal offense involving theft, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, passing bad checks, money laundering, or drug trafficking, or any criminal offense involving money or securities, as set forth in Chapters 2909., 2911., 2913., 2915., 2921., 2923., and 2925. of the Revised Code; or any existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to those offenses.
(12) Not later than thirty days after the date the superintendent receives the request, completed form, and fingerprint impressions, the superintendent shall send the person, board, or entity that made the request any information, other than information the dissemination of which is prohibited by federal law, the superintendent determines exists with respect to the person who is the subject of the request that indicates that the person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), or (10), or (11) of this section, as appropriate. The superintendent shall send the person, board, or entity that made the request a copy of the list of offenses specified in division (A)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), or (10), or (11) of this section, as appropriate. If the request was made under section 3701.881 of the Revised Code with regard to an applicant who may be both responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child and involved in providing direct care to an older adult, the superintendent shall provide a list of the offenses specified in divisions (A)(4) and (6) of this section.
(B) The superintendent shall conduct any criminal records check requested under section 121.08, 173.41, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code as follows:
(1) The superintendent shall review or cause to be reviewed any relevant information gathered and compiled by the bureau under division (A) of section 109.57 of the Revised Code that relates to the person who is the subject of the request, including any relevant information contained in records that have been sealed under section 2953.32 of the Revised Code;
(2) If the request received by the superintendent asks for information from the federal bureau of investigation, the superintendent shall request from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has with respect to the person who is the subject of the request and shall review or cause to be reviewed any information the superintendent receives from that bureau.
(3) The superintendent or the superintendent's designee may request criminal history records from other states or the federal government pursuant to the national crime prevention and privacy compact set forth in section 109.571 of the Revised Code.
(C)(1) The superintendent shall prescribe a form to obtain the information necessary to conduct a criminal records check from any person for whom a criminal records check is required by section 121.08, 173.41, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code. The form that the superintendent prescribes pursuant to this division may be in a tangible format, in an electronic format, or in both tangible and electronic formats.
(2) The superintendent shall prescribe standard impression sheets to obtain the fingerprint impressions of any person for whom a criminal records check is required by section 121.08, 173.41, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code. Any person for whom a records check is required by any of those sections shall obtain the fingerprint impressions at a county sheriff's office, municipal police department, or any other entity with the ability to make fingerprint impressions on the standard impression sheets prescribed by the superintendent. The office, department, or entity may charge the person a reasonable fee for making the impressions. The standard impression sheets the superintendent prescribes pursuant to this division may be in a tangible format, in an electronic format, or in both tangible and electronic formats.
(3) Subject to division (D) of this section, the superintendent shall prescribe and charge a reasonable fee for providing a criminal records check requested under section 121.08, 173.41, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code. The person making a criminal records request under section 121.08, 173.41, 1322.03, 1322.031, 2151.86, 3301.32, 3301.541, 3319.39, 3701.881, 3712.09, 3721.121, 3722.151, 4749.03, 4749.06, 4763.05, 5104.012, 5104.013, 5111.95, 5111.96, 5123.081, 5126.28, 5126.281, or 5153.111 of the Revised Code shall pay the fee prescribed pursuant to this division. A person making a request under section 3701.881 of the Revised Code for a criminal records check for an applicant who may be both responsible for the care, custody, or control of a child and involved in providing direct care to an older adult shall pay one fee for the request.
(4) The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation may prescribe methods of forwarding fingerprint impressions and information necessary to conduct a criminal records check, which methods shall include, but not be limited to, an electronic method.
(D) A determination whether any information exists that indicates that a person previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any offense listed or described in division (A)(1)(a) or (b), (A)(2)(a) or (b), (A)(3)(a) or (b), (A)(4)(a) or (b), (A)(5)(a) or (b), (A)(6)(a) or (b), (A)(7)(a) or (b), (A)(8)(a) or (b), or (A)(9)(a) or (b), or (A)(11) of this section that is made by the superintendent with respect to information considered in a criminal records check in accordance with this section is valid for the person who is the subject of the criminal records check for a period of one year from the date upon which the superintendent makes the determination. During the period in which the determination in regard to a person is valid, if another request under this section is made for a criminal records check for that person, the superintendent shall provide the information that is the basis for the superintendent's initial determination at a lower fee than the fee prescribed for the initial criminal records check.
(E) As used in this section:
(1) "Criminal records check" means any criminal records check conducted by the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation in accordance with division (B) of this section.
(2) "Home and community-based waiver services" and "waiver agency" have the same meanings as in section 5111.95 of the Revised Code.
(3) "Independent provider" has the same meaning as in section 5111.96 of the Revised Code.
(4) "Minor drug possession offense" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.
(5) "Older adult" means a person age sixty or older.
Sec. 1321.541.  (A) The attorney general may directly bring an action to enjoin a violation of sections 1321.51 to 1321.60 of the Revised Code with the same rights, privileges, and powers as those described in section 1345.06 of the Revised Code. The prosecuting attorney of the county in which the action may be brought may bring an action to enjoin a violation of sections 1321.51 to 1321.60 of the Revised Code only if the prosecuting attorney first presents any evidence of the violation to the attorney general and, within a reasonable period of time, the attorney general has not agreed to bring the action.
(B)(1) The prosecuting attorney of the county in which an alleged offense may be prosecuted may initiate criminal proceedings under sections 1321.51 to 1321.60 of the Revised Code.
(2) In order to initiate criminal proceedings under sections 1321.51 to 1321.60 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall first present any evidence of criminal violations to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the alleged offense may be prosecuted. If, within a reasonable period of time, the prosecuting attorney has not agreed to prosecute the violations, the attorney general may proceed in the prosecution with all the rights, privileges, and powers conferred by law on prosecuting attorneys, including the power to appear before grand juries and to interrogate witnesses before such grand juries.
(C) These powers of the attorney general shall be in addition to any other applicable powers of the attorney general.
Sec. 1322.03.  (A) An application for a certificate of registration as a mortgage broker shall be in writing, under oath, and in the form prescribed by the superintendent of financial institutions. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of three hundred fifty dollars for each location of an office to be maintained by the applicant in accordance with division (A) of section 1322.02 of the Revised Code; however, an applicant that is registered under sections 1321.51 to 1321.60 of the Revised Code shall not be required to pay an application fee. The application shall provide all of the following:
(1) The location or locations where the business is to be transacted and whether any location is a residence. If any location where the business is to be transacted is a residence, the application shall be accompanied by a certified copy of a zoning permit authorizing the use of the residence for commercial purposes, or shall be accompanied by a written opinion or other document issued by the county or political subdivision where the residence is located certifying that the use of the residence to transact business as a mortgage broker is not prohibited by the county or political subdivision. The application also shall be accompanied by a photograph of each location at which the business will be transacted.
(2)(a) In the case of a sole proprietor, the name and address of the sole proprietor;
(b) In the case of a partnership, the name and address of each partner;
(c) In the case of a corporation, the name and address of each shareholder owning five per cent or more of the corporation;
(d) In the case of any other entity, the name and address of any person that owns five per cent or more of the entity that will transact business as a mortgage broker.
(3) If the applicant is a partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or any other business entity or association, the applicant shall designate an employee or owner of the applicant as the applicant's operations manager. While acting as the operations manager, the employee or owner shall not be employed by any other mortgage broker.
(4) Evidence that the sole proprietor or the person designated on the application pursuant to division (A)(3) of this section, as applicable, possesses at least three years of experience in the mortgage and lending field, which experience may include employment with or as a mortgage broker or with a financial institution, mortgage lending institution, or other lending institution, or possesses at least three years of other experience related specifically to the business of mortgage loans that the superintendent determines meets the requirements of division (A)(4) of this section;
(5) Evidence of compliance with the surety bond requirements of section 1322.05 of the Revised Code and with sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code;
(6) In the case of a foreign business entity, evidence that it maintains a license or registration pursuant to Chapter 1703., 1705., 1775., 1777., 1782., or 1783. of the Revised Code to transact business in this state;
(7) A statement as to whether the applicant or, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, any shareholder, member, partner, operations manager, or employee of the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving theft, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, passing bad checks, money laundering, or drug trafficking, or any criminal offense involving money or securities;
(8) A statement as to whether the applicant or, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, any shareholder, member, partner, operations manager, or employee of the applicant has been subject to any adverse judgment for conversion, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, fraud, misfeasance or malfeasance, or breach of fiduciary duty;
(9) Evidence that the applicant's operations manager has successfully completed the examination required under division (A) of section 1322.051 of the Revised Code;
(10) Any further information that the superintendent requires.
(B) Upon the filing of the application and payment of the application fee, the superintendent of financial institutions shall investigate the applicant as set forth in this division. The investigation shall include
(1) The superintendent shall request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprints of the applicant and in accordance with division (A)(11) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. Notwithstanding division (J) of section 121.08 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of financial institutions shall request that criminal record information from the federal bureau of investigation be obtained as part of the criminal records check. Any fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the applicant.
(2) The superintendent shall conduct a civil records check. If,
(3) If, in order to issue a certificate of registration to an applicant, additional investigation by the superintendent outside this state is necessary, the superintendent may require the applicant to advance sufficient funds to pay the actual expenses of the investigation, if it appears that these expenses will exceed three hundred fifty dollars. The superintendent shall provide the applicant with an itemized statement of the actual expenses that the applicant is required to pay.
(C) All The superintendent shall pay all funds advanced and application and renewal fees and penalties paid to the superintendent under receives pursuant to this section and section 1322.04 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the superintendent to the treasurer of state to the credit of the consumer finance fund created in section 1321.21 of the Revised Code.
(D) If an application for a certificate of registration does not contain all of the information required under division (A) of this section, and if that information is not submitted to the superintendent within ninety days after the superintendent requests the information in writing, the superintendent may consider the application withdrawn.
(E) A certificate of registration, or and the authority granted under such a that certificate, is not transferable or assignable and cannot be franchised by contract or any other means.
Sec. 1322.031. (A) An application for a license as a loan officer shall be in writing, under oath, and in the form prescribed by the superintendent of financial institutions. The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable application fee of one hundred dollars and shall provide all of the following:
(1) The name and address of the applicant;
(2) A statement as to whether the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving theft, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, passing bad checks, money laundering, or drug trafficking, or any criminal offense involving money or securities;
(3) A statement as to whether the applicant has been subject to an adverse judgment for conversion, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, fraud, misfeasance or malfeasance, or breach of fiduciary duty;
(4) Any further information that the superintendent requires.
(B) Upon the filing of the application and payment of the application fee, the superintendent of financial institutions shall investigate the applicant as set forth in this division. The investigation shall include
(1) The superintendent shall request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprints of the applicant and in accordance with division (A)(11) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. Notwithstanding division (J) of section 121.08 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of financial institutions shall request that criminal record information from the federal bureau of investigation be obtained as part of the criminal records check. Any fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the applicant.
(2) The superintendent shall conduct a civil records check. If,
(3) If, in order to issue a license to an applicant, additional investigation by the superintendent outside this state is necessary, the superintendent may require the applicant to advance sufficient funds to pay the actual expenses of the investigation, if it appears that these expenses will exceed one hundred dollars. The superintendent shall provide the applicant with an itemized statement of the actual expenses that the applicant is required to pay.
(C) All The superintendent shall pay all funds advanced and application and renewal fees and penalties paid to the superintendent under receives pursuant to this section and section 1322.041 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the superintendent to the treasurer of state to the credit of the consumer finance fund created in section 1321.21 of the Revised Code.
(D) If an application for a license does not contain all of the information required under division (A) of this section, and if that information is not submitted to the superintendent within ninety days after the superintendent requests the information in writing, the superintendent may consider the application withdrawn.
(E)(1) The business of a loan officer shall principally be transacted at an office of the employing mortgage broker, which office is registered in accordance with division (A) of section 1322.02 of the Revised Code. Each original license shall be deposited with and maintained by the employing mortgage broker at the mortgage broker's main office. A copy of the license shall be maintained and displayed at the office where the loan officer principally transacts business.
(2) If a loan officer's employment is terminated, the mortgage broker shall return the original license to the superintendent within five business days after the termination. The licensee may request the transfer of the license to another mortgage broker by submitting a relocation application, along with a fifteen dollar fee, to the superintendent or may request the superintendent in writing to hold the license in escrow for a period not to exceed one year. Any licensee whose license is held in escrow shall cease activity as a loan officer.
A mortgage broker may employ a loan officer on a temporary basis pending the transfer of the loan officer's license to the mortgage broker, if the mortgage broker receives written confirmation from the superintendent that the loan officer is licensed under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
(F) A license, or the authority granted under such a that license, is not assignable and cannot be franchised by contract or any other means.
Sec. 1322.04.  (A) Upon the conclusion of the investigation required under division (B) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of financial institutions shall issue a certificate of registration to the applicant if the superintendent finds that the following conditions are met:
(1) Except as otherwise provided in division (A) of section 1322.03 of the Revise Revised Code, the application is accompanied by the application fee. If a check or other draft instrument is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the superintendent shall notify the registrant by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the certificate of registration issued in reliance on the check or other draft instrument will be canceled unless the registrant, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, submits the application fee and a one-hundred-dollar penalty to the superintendent. If the registrant does not submit the application fee and penalty within that time period, or if any check or other draft instrument used to pay the fee or penalty is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the certificate of registration shall be canceled immediately without a hearing, and the registrant shall cease activity as a mortgage broker.
(2) If the application is for a location that is a residence, that the applicant has obtained a valid zoning permit authorizing the use of the residence for commercial purposes, or has obtained a valid written opinion or other document issued by the county or political subdivision where the residence is located certifying that the use of the residence to transact business as a mortgage broker is not prohibited by the county or political subdivision. The application also is accompanied by a photograph of each location at which the mortgage broker's business will be transacted.
(3) The sole proprietor or the person designated on the application pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code, as applicable, meets the experience requirements provided in division (A)(4) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code.
(4) The applicant maintains all licenses and registrations required by the secretary of state.
(5) The applicant complies with the surety bond requirements of section 1322.05 of the Revised Code.
(6) The applicant complies with sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
(7) Neither the applicant nor any shareholder, member, partner, operations manager, or employee of the applicant has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of any criminal offense described in division (A)(7) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code, or any violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that substantially is equivalent to a criminal offense described in that division. However, if the applicant or any of those other persons has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of such an offense, the superintendent shall not consider the offense if the applicant has proven to the superintendent, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the applicant's or other person's activities and employment record since the conviction show that the applicant or other person is honest, truthful, and of good reputation, and there is no basis in fact for believing that the applicant or other person will commit such an offense again.
(8) Neither the applicant nor any shareholder, member, partner, operations manager, or employee of the applicant has been subject to any adverse judgment for conversion, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, fraud, misfeasance or malfeasance, or breach of fiduciary duty, or, if the applicant or any of those other persons has been subject to such a judgment, the applicant has proven to the superintendent, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the applicant's or other person's activities and employment record since the judgment show that the applicant or other person is honest, truthful, and of good reputation, and there is no basis in fact for believing that the applicant or other person will be subject to such a judgment again.
(9) The applicant's operations manager successfully completed the examination required under division (A) of section 1322.051 of the Revised Code.
(10) The applicant's financial responsibility, experience, character, and general fitness command the confidence of the public and warrant the belief that the business will be operated honestly and fairly in compliance with the purposes of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
For purposes of determining whether an applicant that is a partnership, corporation, or other business entity or association has met the conditions set forth in divisions (A)(7), (A)(8), and (A)(10) of this section, the superintendent shall determine which partners, shareholders, or persons named in the application pursuant to division (A)(2) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code must meet the conditions set forth in divisions (A)(7), (A)(8), and (A)(10) of this section. This determination shall be based on the extent and nature of the partner's, shareholder's, or person's ownership interest in the partnership, corporation, or other business entity or association that is the applicant.
(B) The certificate of registration issued pursuant to division (A) of this section may be renewed annually on or before the thirtieth day of April if the superintendent finds that all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The renewal application is accompanied by a nonrefundable renewal fee of three hundred fifty dollars for each location of an office to be maintained by the applicant in accordance with division (A) of section 1322.02 of the Revised Code; however, an applicant that is registered under sections 1321.51 to 1321.60 of the Revised Code shall not be required to pay a renewal fee. If a check or other draft instrument is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the superintendent shall notify the registrant by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the certificate of registration renewed in reliance on the check or other draft instrument will be canceled unless the registrant, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, submits the renewal fee and a one-hundred-dollar penalty to the superintendent. If the registrant does not submit the renewal fee and penalty within that time period, or if any check or other draft instrument used to pay the fee or penalty is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the certificate of registration shall be canceled immediately without a hearing and the registrant shall cease activity as a mortgage broker.
(2) On and after January 1, 2003, the operations manager designated under division (A)(3) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code has completed, during the immediately preceding calendar year, at least six hours of continuing education as required under section 1322.052 of the Revised Code.
(3) The applicant meets the conditions set forth in divisions (A)(2) to (10) of this section.
(4) The applicant's certificate of registration is not subject to an order of suspension or revocation by the superintendent.
(C)(1) Subject to division (C)(2) of this section, if a renewal fee is received by the superintendent after the thirtieth day of April, the certificate of registration shall not be considered renewed, and the applicant shall cease activity as a mortgage broker and apply for a certificate of registration as a mortgage broker.
(2) Division (C)(1) of this section shall not apply if the applicant, no later than the thirty-first day of May, submits the renewal fee and a one-hundred-dollar penalty to the superintendent.
(D) If the person designated as the operations manager pursuant to division (A)(3) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code is no longer the operations manager, the registrant shall do all of the following:
(1) Designate another person as the operations manager;
(2) Within ten days after the designation described in division (D)(1) of this section, notify the superintendent in writing of the designation;
(3) Submit any additional information that the superintendent requires to establish that the newly designated operations manager complies with the experience requirements set forth in division (A)(4) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code.
Sec. 1322.041. (A) Upon the conclusion of the investigation required under division (B) of section 1322.031 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of financial institutions shall issue a loan officer license to the applicant if the superintendent finds that the following conditions are met:
(1) The application is accompanied by the application fee. If a check or other draft instrument is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the superintendent shall notify the licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the license issued in reliance on the check or other draft instrument will be canceled unless the licensee, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, submits the application fee and a one-hundred-dollar penalty to the superintendent. If the licensee does not submit the application fee and penalty within that time period, or if any check or other draft instrument used to pay the fee or penalty is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the license shall be canceled immediately without a hearing, and the licensee shall cease activity as a loan officer.
(2) The applicant complies with sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
(3) The applicant has not been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense described in division (A)(2) of section 1322.031 of the Revised Code, or and the applicant has not pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that substantially is equivalent to a criminal offense described in that division. However, if the applicant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to such an offense, the superintendent shall not consider the offense if the applicant has proven to the superintendent, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the applicant's activities and employment record since the conviction show that the applicant is honest, truthful, and of good reputation, and there is no basis in fact for believing that the applicant will commit such an offense again.
(4) The applicant has not been subject to an adverse judgment for conversion, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, fraud, misfeasance or malfeasance, or breach of fiduciary duty, or, if the applicant has been subject to such a judgment, the applicant has proven to the superintendent, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the applicant's activities and employment record since the judgment show that the applicant is honest, truthful, and of good reputation, and there is no basis in fact for believing that the applicant will be subject to such a judgment again.
(5) The applicant successfully completed the examination required under division (B) of section 1322.051 of the Revised Code.
(6) The applicant's character and general fitness command the confidence of the public and warrant the belief that the business will be operated honestly and fairly in compliance with the purposes of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
(B) The license issued under division (A) of this section may be renewed annually on or before the thirtieth day of April if the superintendent finds that all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The renewal application is accompanied by a nonrefundable renewal fee of one hundred dollars. If a check or other draft instrument is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the superintendent shall notify the licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the license renewed in reliance on the check or other draft instrument will be canceled unless the licensee, within thirty days after receipt of the notice, submits the renewal fee and a one-hundred-dollar penalty to the superintendent. If the licensee does not submit the renewal fee and penalty within that time period, or if any check or other draft instrument used to pay the fee or penalty is returned to the superintendent for insufficient funds, the license shall be canceled immediately without a hearing, and the licensee shall cease activity as a loan officer.
(2) On and after January 1, 2003, the loan officer has completed, during the immediately preceding calendar year, at least six hours of continuing education as required under section 1322.052 of the Revised Code.
(3) The applicant meets the conditions set forth in divisions (A)(2) to (5)(6) of this section.
(4) The applicant's license is not subject to an order of suspension or revocation by the superintendent.
(C)(1) Subject to division (C)(2) of this section, if a license renewal application or renewal fee is received by the superintendent after the thirtieth day of April, the license shall not be considered renewed, and the applicant shall cease activity as a loan officer.
(2) Division (C)(1) of this section shall not apply if the applicant, no later than the thirty-first day of May, submits the renewal application and fee and a one-hundred-dollar penalty to the superintendent.
Sec. 1322.051.  (A) Each person designated under division (A)(3) of section 1322.03 of the Revised Code to act as operations manager for a mortgage broker business shall submit to an examination approved by the superintendent of financial institutions.
(B) Each licensee, within ninety days after the original issuance of the applicant for a loan officer license, shall successfully complete submit to an examination approved by the superintendent. Failure to comply with this division results in the termination of the license by operation of law.
Sec. 1322.06.  (A) As often as the superintendent of financial institutions considers it necessary, the superintendent may examine the registrant's records pertaining to business transacted pursuant to sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
(B) A registrant shall maintain records pertaining to business transacted pursuant to sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, including copies of all mortgage loan origination disclosure statements prepared in accordance with section 1322.062 of the Revised Code, for four years. No registrant shall fail to comply with this division.
Sec. 1322.061. (A)(1) The following information is privileged and confidential:
(a) Examination information, and any information leading to or arising from an examination;
(b) Investigation information, and any information arising from or leading to an investigation.
(2) The information described in division (A)(1) of this section shall remain privileged and confidential for all purposes except when it is necessary for the superintendent of financial institutions to take official action regarding the affairs of a registrant or licensee, or in connection with criminal proceedings. This information may also be introduced into evidence or disclosed when and in the manner authorized by section 1181.25 of the Revised Code.
(B) All application information, except social security numbers, employer identification numbers, financial account numbers, the identity of the institution where financial accounts are maintained, personal financial information, fingerprint cards and the information contained on such cards, and criminal background information, is a public record as defined in section 149.43 of the Revised Code.
(C) This section does not prevent the division of financial institutions from releasing to or exchanging with other financial institution regulatory authorities information relating to registrants and licensees. For this purpose, a "financial institution regulatory authority" includes a regulator of a business activity in which a registrant or licensee is engaged, or has applied to engage in, to the extent that the regulator has jurisdiction over a registrant or licensee engaged in that business activity. A registrant or licensee is engaged in a business activity, and a regulator of that business activity has jurisdiction over the registrant or licensee, whether the registrant or licensee conducts the activity directly or a subsidiary or affiliate of the registrant or licensee conducts the activity.
(D) This section does not prevent the division from releasing information relating to registrants and licensees to the attorney general for purposes relating to the attorney general's administration of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, to the superintendent of real estate and professional licensing for purposes relating to the administration of Chapters 4735. and 4763. of the Revised Code, to the superintendent of insurance for purposes relating to the administration of Chapter 3953. of the Revised Code, or to local law enforcement agencies and local prosecutors. Information the division releases to the attorney general pursuant to this section remains privileged and confidential, and the attorney general may not disclose the information or introduce the information into evidence unless the superintendent authorizes the disclosure or introduction into evidence in connection with the attorney general's administration of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code.
Sec. 1322.062. (A)(1) Within three business days after taking an application for a loan from a buyer, a registrant shall deliver to the buyer a mortgage loan origination disclosure statement that contains all of the following:
(a) The name, address, and telephone number of the buyer;
(b) The typewritten name of the loan officer and the number designated on the loan officer's license;
(c) The street address, telephone number, and facsimile number of the registrant and the number designated on the registrant's certificate of registration;
(d) The signature of the loan officer or registrant;
(e) A statement indicating whether the buyer is to pay for the services of a bona fide third party if the registrant is unable to assist the buyer in obtaining a mortgage;
(f) A statement that describes the method by which the fee to be paid by the buyer to the registrant will be calculated and a good faith estimate of the total amount of that fee;
(g) A statement that the lender may pay compensation to the registrant;
(h) A description of all the services the registrant has agreed to perform for the buyer;
(i) A statement that the buyer has not entered into an exclusive agreement for brokerage services;
(j) If the loan applied for will exceed ninety per cent of the value of the real property, a statement, printed in boldface type of the minimum size of sixteen points, as follows: "You are applying for a loan that is more than 90% of your home's value. It will be hard for you to refinance this loan. If you sell your home, you might owe more money on the loan than you get from the sale."
(k) To acknowledge receipt, the signature of the buyer.
(2) If the loan is a covered loan as defined in section 1349.25 of the Revised Code, the registrant shall also deliver a copy of the mortgage loan origination disclosure statement to the lender.
(B)(1) If there is any change in the information provided under division (A)(1)(f) or (h) of this section, the registrant shall provide the buyer with the revised mortgage loan origination disclosure statement and a written explanation of why the change occurred no later than three days twenty-four hours after the change occurs, or the date twenty-four hours before the loan is closed, whichever is earlier.
(2) If an increase in the total amount of the fee to be paid by the buyer to the registrant is not disclosed in accordance with division (B)(1) of this section, the registrant shall refund to the buyer the amount by which the fee exceeds the amount previously estimated under division (A)(1)(f) of this section. If the fee is financed into the loan, the registrant shall also refund to the buyer the interest that would accrue over the term of the loan on that excess amount.
(C) No registrant shall fail to comply with this section.
Sec. 1322.063. (A) In addition to the disclosures required under section 1322.062 of the Revised Code, a registrant shall, not later than twenty-four hours before a loan is closed, deliver to the buyer a written disclosure that includes the following:
(1) A statement indicating whether property taxes will be escrowed;
(2) A description of what is covered by the regular monthly payment, including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance, as applicable.
(B) No registrant shall fail to comply with this section.
Sec. 1322.064. (A) No registrant or licensee shall fail to do either of the following:
(1) Timely inform the buyer of any material change in the terms of the loan. For purposes of division (A)(1) of this section, "material change" means the following:
(a) A change in the type of loan being offered, such as a fixed or variable rate loan or a loan with a balloon payment;
(b) A change in the term of the loan, as reflected in the number of monthly payments due before a final payment is scheduled to be made;
(c) A change in the interest rate of more than 0.15%;
(d) A change in the regular monthly payment of principal and interest of more than five per cent;
(e) A change regarding the escrow of taxes or insurance;
(f) A change regarding the payment of private mortgage insurance.
(2) Timely inform the buyer if the estimated cash out available to the buyer changes by more than ten per cent.
(B) The disclosures required by this section shall be deemed timely if the registrant provides the buyer with the revised information not later than twenty-four hours after the change occurs, or twenty-four hours before the loan is closed, whichever is earlier.
Sec. 1322.07.  No mortgage broker, registrant, licensee, or applicant for a certificate of registration or license under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code shall do any of the following:
(A) Obtain a certificate of registration or license through any false or fraudulent representation of a material fact or any omission of a material fact required by state law, or make any substantial misrepresentation in any registration or license application;
(B) Make false or misleading statements of a material fact, omissions of statements required by state law, or false promises regarding a material fact, through advertising or other means, or engage in a continued course of misrepresentations;
(C) Engage in conduct that constitutes improper, fraudulent, or dishonest dealings;
(D) Fail to notify the division of financial institutions within thirty days after the registrant, licensee, or applicant, in a court of competent jurisdiction of this state or any other state, is convicted of or pleads guilty to any criminal offense involving theft, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, passing bad checks, money laundering, or drug trafficking, or any criminal offense involving money or securities;
(E) Knowingly make, propose, or solicit fraudulent, false, or misleading statements on any mortgage document or on any document related to a mortgage, including a mortgage application, real estate appraisal, or real estate settlement or closing document. For purposes of this division, "fraudulent, false, or misleading statements" does not include mathematical errors, inadvertent transposition of numbers, typographical errors, or any other bona fide error.
(F) Knowingly instruct, solicit, propose, or otherwise cause a buyer to sign in blank a mortgage related document;
(G) Knowingly compensate, instruct, induce, coerce, or intimidate, or attempt to compensate, instruct, induce, coerce, or intimidate, a person licensed or certified under Chapter 4763. of the Revised Code for the purpose of corrupting or improperly influencing the independent judgment of the person with respect to the value of the dwelling offered as security for repayment of a mortgage loan;
(H) Promise to refinance a loan in the future at a lower interest rate or with more favorable terms, unless the promise is set forth in writing and is initialed by the buyer.
Sec. 1322.074. (A) As used in this section and section 1322.075 of the Revised Code:
(1) "Appraisal company" means a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or any other business entity or association, that employs or retains the services of a person licensed or certified under Chapter 4763. of the Revised Code for purposes of performing residential real estate appraisals for mortgage loans.
(2) "Immediate family" means a spouse residing in the person's household and any dependent child.
(3) "Title insurance," "the business of title insurance," "title insurance company," and "title insurance agent" have the same meanings as in section 3953.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of this section, no registrant, or any member of the registrant's immediate family, shall own or control a majority interest in a title insurance company or an appraisal company.
(C) Division (B) of this section shall not apply to any registrant, or any member of the registrant's immediate family, who, on the effective date of this section, owns or controls a majority interest in a title insurance company or an appraisal company. However, such ownership or control is subject to the following conditions:
(1) The registrant and members of the registrant's immediate family shall not increase their interest in the company.
(2) The interest is not transferable to a member of the registrant's immediate family.
(3) If the registrant is convicted of or pleads guilty to a criminal violation of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code or any criminal offense described in division (A)(1)(b) of section 1322.10 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of financial institutions may, as an alternative to any of the actions authorized under section 1322.10 of the Revised Code, order the registrant or members of the registrant's immediate family to divest their interest in the company.
Sec. 1322.075.  (A) No registrant or licensee shall refer a buyer to a title insurance company or title insurance agent for title insurance, the business of title insurance, or other title insurance services or products, or to an appraisal company, if the registrant or licensee, or a member of the registrant's or licensee's immediate family, has either of the following financial relationships with the title insurance company, title insurance agent, or appraisal company:
(1) An ownership or investment interest in the company or agent, whether through debt, equity, or other means;
(2) Any compensation arrangement involving any remuneration, directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, in cash or in kind.
(B) No registrant or licensee shall knowingly enter into an arrangement or scheme, including a cross-referral arrangement, that has a principal purpose of assuring referrals by a registrant or licensee to a particular title insurance company, title insurance agent, or appraisal company that would violate division (A) of this section.
Sec. 1322.081. (A) With respect to a mortgage loan transaction, both the registrant and the licensee shall be a fiduciary of the buyer and shall use their best efforts to further the interest of the buyer, including complying with the reasonable and lawful instructions of the buyer and acting with reasonable care, skill, and diligence on behalf of the buyer.
(B) The duty created by this section shall not be waived or modified.
Sec. 1322.10.  (A) After notice and opportunity for a hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the superintendent of financial institutions may do the following:
(1) Suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew a certificate of registration or license if the superintendent finds either of the following:
(a) A violation of or failure to comply with any provision of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code or the rules adopted under those sections or any other law applicable to the business conducted under a certificate of registration;
(b) A conviction of or guilty plea to any criminal offense involving theft, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, passing bad checks, money laundering, or drug trafficking, or any criminal offense involving money or securities.
(2) Impose a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, for each day a violation of a law or rule is committed, repeated, or continued. If the registrant or licensee engages in a pattern of repeated violations of a law or rule, the superintendent may impose a fine of not more than two thousand dollars for each day the violation is committed, repeated, or continued. All fines collected pursuant to this division shall be paid to the treasurer of state to the credit of the consumer finance fund created in section 1321.21 of the Revised Code. In determining the amount of a fine to be imposed pursuant to this division, the superintendent shall consider all of the following:
(a) The seriousness of the violation;
(b) The registrant's or licensee's good faith efforts to prevent the violation;
(c) The registrant's or licensee's history regarding violations and compliance with division orders;
(d) The registrant's or licensee's financial resources;
(e) Any other matters the superintendent considers appropriate in enforcing sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
(B) The superintendent may investigate alleged violations of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code or the rules adopted under those sections or complaints concerning any such violation. The superintendent may make application to the court of common pleas for an order enjoining any such violation, and, upon a showing by the superintendent that a person has committed or is about to commit such a violation, the court shall grant an injunction, restraining order, or other appropriate relief.
(C) In conducting any investigation pursuant to this section, the superintendent may compel, by subpoena, witnesses to testify in relation to any matter over which the superintendent has jurisdiction and may require the production of any book, record, or other document pertaining to that matter. If a person fails to file any statement or report, obey any subpoena, give testimony, produce any book, record, or other document as required by a subpoena, or permit photocopying of any book, record, or other document subpoenaed, the court of common pleas of any county in this state, upon application made to it by the superintendent, shall compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from the court or a refusal to testify therein.
(D) If the superintendent determines that a person is engaged in or is believed to be engaged in activities that may constitute a violation of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, the superintendent, after notice and a hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may issue a cease and desist order. Such an order shall be enforceable in the court of common pleas.
(E) If the superintendent revokes the certificate of registration or license of a registrant or licensee who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a criminal violation of any provision of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code or any criminal offense described in division (A)(1)(b) of this section, the revocation shall be permanent.
(F)(1) To protect the public interest, the superintendent may, without a prior hearing, do either of the following:
(a) Suspend the certificate of registration or license of a registrant or licensee who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a criminal violation of any provision of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code or any criminal offense described in division (A)(1)(b) of this section;
(b) Suspend the certificate of registration of a registrant who violates division (F) of section 1322.05 of the Revised Code.
(2) The superintendent may, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, subsequently revoke any registration or license suspended under division (F)(1) of this section.
Sec. 1322.11.  (A)(1) A buyer injured by a violation of section 1322.02, 1322.062, 1322.063, 1322.064, 1322.07, 1322.071, 1322.08, or 1322.09 of the Revised Code may bring an action for recovery of damages.
(2) Damages awarded under division (A)(1) of this section shall not be less than the amount paid by the buyer to the mortgage broker, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.
(3) The buyer may be awarded punitive damages.
(B)(1) The superintendent of financial institutions, the attorney general, or a buyer may directly bring an action to enjoin a violation of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code. The attorney general may directly bring an action to enjoin a violation of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code with the same rights, privileges, and powers as those described in section 1345.06 of the Revised Code. The prosecuting attorney of the county in which the action may be brought may bring an action to enjoin a violation of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code only if the prosecuting attorney first presents any evidence of the violation to the attorney general and, within a reasonable period of time, the attorney general has not agreed to bring the action.
(2) The superintendent may initiate criminal proceedings under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code by presenting any evidence of criminal violation to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the offense may be prosecuted. If the prosecuting attorney does not prosecute the violations, or at the request of the prosecuting attorney, the superintendent shall present any evidence of criminal violations to the attorney general, who may proceed in the prosecution with all the rights, privileges, and powers conferred by law on prosecuting attorneys, including the power to appear before grand juries and to interrogate witnesses before such grand juries. These powers of the attorney general shall be in addition to any other applicable powers of the attorney general.
(3) The prosecuting attorney of the county in which an alleged offense may be prosecuted may initiate criminal proceedings under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code.
(4) In order to initiate criminal proceedings under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, the attorney general shall first present any evidence of criminal violations to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the alleged offense may be prosecuted. If, within a reasonable period of time, the prosecuting attorney has not agreed to prosecute the violations, the attorney general may proceed in the prosecution with all the rights, privileges, and powers described in division (B)(2) of this section.
(5) When a judgment under this section becomes final, the clerk of court shall mail a copy of the judgment, including supporting opinions, to the superintendent.
(C) The remedies provided by this section are in addition to any other remedy provided by law.
(D) In any proceeding or action brought under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, the burden of proving an exemption under those sections is on the person claiming the benefit of the exemption.
(E) No person shall be deemed to violate sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code with respect to any act taken or omission made in reliance on a written notice, written interpretation, or written report from the superintendent, unless there is a subsequent amendment to those sections, or rules promulgated thereunder, that affects the superintendent's notice, interpretation, or report.
(F) Upon disbursement of mortgage loan proceeds to or on behalf of the buyer, the registrant that assisted the buyer to obtain the mortgage loan is deemed to have completed the performance of the registrant's services for the buyer and owes no additional duties or obligations to the buyer with respect to the mortgage loan. However, nothing in this division shall be construed to limit or preclude the civil or criminal liability of a registrant for failing to comply with sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code or any rule adopted under those sections, for failing to comply with any provision of or duty arising under an agreement with a buyer or lender under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, or for violating any other provision of state or federal law.
Sec. 1322.99. (A) Whoever violates division (A)(1) or (2) of section 1322.02, division (E) or, (F), or (G) of section 1322.07, division (B)(1) or (2) of section 1322.071, or section 1322.08 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.
(B) Whoever violates division (B)(3) of section 1322.071 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fourth degree.
(C) Whoever violates division (B) of section 1322.02 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
Sec. 1345.01.  As used in sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code:
(A) "Consumer transaction" means a sale, lease, assignment, award by chance, or other transfer of an item of goods, a service, a franchise, or an intangible, to an individual for purposes that are primarily personal, family, or household, or solicitation to supply any of these things. "Consumer transaction" does not include transactions between persons, defined in sections 4905.03 and 5725.01 of the Revised Code, and their customers, other than transactions between loan officers, mortgage brokers, or nonbank mortgage lenders and their customers; transactions between certified public accountants or public accountants and their clients; transactions between attorneys, physicians, or dentists and their clients or patients; and transactions between veterinarians and their patients that pertain to medical treatment but not ancillary services.
(B) "Person" includes an individual, corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, cooperative, or other legal entity.
(C) "Supplier" means a seller, lessor, assignor, franchisor, or other person engaged in the business of effecting or soliciting consumer transactions, whether or not the person deals directly with the consumer.
(D) "Consumer" means a person who engages in a consumer transaction with a supplier.
(E) "Knowledge" means actual awareness, but such actual awareness may be inferred where objective manifestations indicate that the individual involved acted with such awareness.
(F) "Natural gas service" means the sale of natural gas, exclusive of any distribution or ancillary service.
(G) "Public telecommunications service" means the transmission by electromagnetic or other means, other than by a telephone company as defined in section 4927.01 of the Revised Code, of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, messages, or data originating in this state regardless of actual call routing. "Public telecommunications service" excludes a system, including its construction, maintenance, or operation, for the provision of telecommunications service, or any portion of such service, by any entity for the sole and exclusive use of that entity, its parent, a subsidiary, or an affiliated entity, and not for resale, directly or indirectly; the provision of terminal equipment used to originate telecommunications service; broadcast transmission by radio, television, or satellite broadcast stations regulated by the federal government; or cable television service.
(H) "Loan officer" has the same meaning as in section 1322.01 of the Revised Code, except that it does not include an employee of a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or credit union service organization organized under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States; an employee of a subsidiary of such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union; or an employee of an affiliate that (1) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union and (2) is subject to examination, supervision, and regulation, including with respect to the affiliate's compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements, by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the office of thrift supervision, the federal deposit insurance corporation, or the national credit union administration.
(I) "Mortgage" means any indebtedness secured by a deed of trust, security deed, or other lien on real property.
(J) "Mortgage broker" has the same meaning as in section 1322.01 of the Revised Code, except that it does not include a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or credit union service organization organized under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States; a subsidiary of such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union; an affiliate that (1) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union and (2) is subject to examination, supervision, and regulation, including with respect to the affiliate's compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements, by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the office of thrift supervision, the federal deposit insurance corporation, or the national credit union administration; or an employee of any such entity.
(K) "Nonbank mortgage lender" means any person that engages in a mortgage loan transaction with a consumer, except for a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or credit union service organization organized under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States; a subsidiary of such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union; or an affiliate that (1) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union and (2) is subject to examination, supervision, and regulation, including with respect to the affiliate's compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements, by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the office of thrift supervision, the federal deposit insurance corporation, or the national credit union administration.
(L) For purposes of divisions (H), (J), and (K) of this section:
(1) "Control" of another entity means ownership, control, or power to vote twenty-five per cent or more of the outstanding shares of any class of voting securities of the other entity, directly or indirectly or acting through one or more other persons.
(2) "Credit union service organization" means a CUSO as defined in 12 C.F.R. 702.2.
Sec. 1345.09.  For a violation of Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code, a consumer has a cause of action and is entitled to relief as follows:
(A) Where the violation was an act prohibited by section 1345.02 or 1345.03 of the Revised Code, the consumer may, in an individual action, rescind the transaction or recover his the consumer's actual damages.
(B) Where the violation was an act or practice declared to be deceptive or unconscionable by rule adopted under division (B) (2) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code before the consumer transaction on which the action is based, or an act or practice determined by a court of this state to violate section 1345.02 or 1345.03 of the Revised Code and committed after the decision containing the determination has been made available for public inspection under division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code, the consumer may rescind the transaction or recover, but not in a class action, three times the amount of his the consumer's actual damages or two hundred dollars, whichever is greater, or recover the consumer's actual damages or other appropriate relief in a class action under Civil Rule 23, as amended.
(C) In (1) Except as otherwise provided in division (C)(2) of this section, in any action for rescission, revocation of the consumer transaction must occur within a reasonable time after the consumer discovers or should have discovered the ground for it and before any substantial change in condition of the subject of the consumer transaction.
(2) If the consumer transaction is secured by a mortgage loan, revocation of the consumer transaction in any action for rescission under this chapter shall only be available to a consumer, in an individual action, and shall occur not later than the time limit within which the right of rescission under section 125(f) of the "Truth in Lending Act," 82 Stat. 146 (1968), 15 U.S.C. 1635(f), as amended, expires.
(D) Any consumer may seek a declaratory judgment, an injunction, or other appropriate relief against an act or practice that violates this chapter.
(E) When a consumer commences an individual action for a declaratory judgment or an injunction or a class action under this section, the clerk of court shall immediately mail a copy of the complaint to the attorney general. Upon timely application, the attorney general may be permitted to intervene in any private action or appeal pending under this section. When a judgment under this section becomes final, the clerk of court shall mail a copy of the judgment including supporting opinions to the attorney general for inclusion in the public file maintained under division (A)(3) of section 1345.05 of the Revised Code.
(F)(1) The court may shall award to the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee limited to the work reasonably performed, if either of the following apply:
(1) The consumer complaining of the act or practice that violated this chapter has brought or maintained an action that is groundless, and the consumer filed or maintained the action in bad faith;.
(2) The court may award to the prevailing party a reasonable attorney's fee limited to the work reasonably performed, if the supplier has knowingly committed an act or practice that violates this chapter.
Sec. 1345.091. (A) For purposes of this section, a loan is considered to be in default if it is at least thirty days past due.
(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, and except as otherwise provided in 16 C.F.R. 433.2, as amended, or section 1317.031 or 1317.032 of the Revised Code, no claim or defense under this chapter, except a claim or defense of rescission by a consumer as provided in division (C)(2) of section 1345.09 of the Revised Code, may be asserted by the attorney general or any consumer against an assignee or purchaser of a mortgage loan for value if any of the following applies:
(1) The violation was not committed by the assignee or purchaser after such assignment or purchase.
(2) The assignee or purchaser is not affiliated by common control with the seller of the loan at the time of such assignment or purchase and the loan was not in default at the time of such assignment or purchase.
(3) The assignee or purchaser is a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, or credit union service organization organized under the laws of this state, another state, or the United States; a subsidiary of such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union; or an affiliate that (a) controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such a bank, savings bank, savings and loan association, or credit union and (b) is subject to examination, supervision, and regulation, including with respect to the affiliate's compliance with applicable consumer protection requirements, by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the comptroller of the currency, the office of thrift supervision, the federal deposit insurance corporation, or the national credit union administration.
Sec. 1349.31.  (A)(1) No creditor shall willfully and knowingly fail to comply with section 1349.26 or 1349.27 of the Revised Code. For purposes of division (A)(1) of this section, "willfully and knowingly" has the same meaning as in section 112 of the "Truth in Lending Act," 82 Stat. 146 (1968), 15 U.S.C.A. 1611, as amended.
(2) Whoever violates division (A)(1) of this section is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.
(B) The superintendent of financial institutions may directly bring an action to enjoin a violation of this section. The attorney general may directly bring an action to enjoin a violation of this section with the same rights, privileges, and powers as those described in section 1345.06 of the Revised Code. The prosecuting attorney of the county in which the action may be brought may bring an action to enjoin a violation of this section only if the prosecuting attorney first presents any evidence of the violation to the attorney general and, within a reasonable period of time, the attorney general has not agreed to bring the action.
(C)(1) The superintendent of financial institutions may initiate criminal proceedings under this section by presenting any evidence of criminal violations to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the offense may be prosecuted. If the prosecuting attorney does not prosecute the violations, or at the request of the prosecuting attorney, the superintendent shall present any evidence of criminal violations to the attorney general, who may proceed in the prosecution with all the rights, privileges, and powers conferred by law on prosecuting attorneys, including the power to appear before grand juries and to interrogate witnesses before such grand juries. These powers of the attorney general shall be in addition to any other applicable powers of the attorney general.
(2) The prosecuting attorney of the county in which an alleged offense may be prosecuted may initiate criminal proceedings under this section.
(3) In order to initiate criminal proceedings under this section, the attorney general shall first present any evidence of criminal violations to the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the alleged offense may be prosecuted. If, within a reasonable period of time, the prosecuting attorney has not agreed to prosecute the violations, the attorney general may proceed in the prosecution with all the rights, privileges, and powers described in division (C)(1) of this section.
Sec. 1349.41. (A) As used in this section:
(1) "Consumer" means an individual to whom credit is offered or extended primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
(2) "Lender" means a nonbank mortgage lender as defined in section 1345.01 of the Revised Code. "Lender" does not include a person that purchases or is assigned a loan or that functions solely as the servicer of a loan.
(3) "Mortgage" and "registrant" have the same meanings as in section 1322.01 of the Revised Code.
(4) "Net worth" means the net worth of an individual, as defined by common lending practices, with the following assets excluded:
(a) The value of the home that is the subject of the mortgage loan transaction;
(b) Any social security or pension payments or assets;
(c) Any life insurance assets.
(B) With respect to a mortgage loan transaction with a consumer who has less than twenty-five thousand dollars of net worth, the lender shall be a fiduciary of the consumer and shall use the lender's best efforts to further the interest of the consumer, including complying with the reasonable and lawful instructions of the consumer and acting with reasonable care, skill, and diligence on behalf of the consumer, if the transaction does not involve a registrant or the registrant does not have a material role in the transaction.
(C) The duty created by this section shall not be waived or modified.
(D) This section shall not be construed as obligating a lender to seek loan terms more favorable to the consumer from, or to make referrals to, any non-affiliated lending institution.
Sec. 1349.43. (A) As used in this section, "loan officer," "mortgage broker," and "nonbank mortgage lender" have the same meanings as in section 1345.01 of the Revised Code.
(B) The department of commerce shall establish and maintain an electronic database accessible through the internet that contains information on all of the following:
(1) The enforcement actions taken by the superintendent of financial institutions for each violation of or failure to comply with any provision of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, upon final disposition of the action;
(2) The enforcement actions taken by the attorney general under Chapter 1345. of the Revised Code against loan officers, mortgage brokers, and nonbank mortgage lenders, upon final disposition of each action;
(3) All judgments by courts of this state, concerning which appellate remedies have been exhausted or lost by the expiration of the time for appeal, finding either of the following:
(a) A violation of any provision of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code;
(b) That specific acts or practices by a loan officer, mortgage broker, or nonbank mortgage lender violate section 1345.02 or 1345.03 of the Revised Code.
(C) The attorney general shall submit to the department, on the first day of each January, April, July, and October, a list of all enforcement actions and judgments described in divisions (B)(2) and (3)(b) of this section.
(D) The department may adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code that are necessary to implement this section.
Sec. 1349.44. (A) The superintendent of financial institutions shall report semi-annually to the governor and the general assembly on the operations of the division of financial institutions with respect to the following:
(1) Enforcement actions instituted by the superintendent for a violation of or failure to comply with any provision of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, and their final dispositions;
(2) Suspensions, revocations, or refusals to issue or renew certificates of registration and licenses under sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code;
(3) Outreach efforts of the office of consumer affairs to provide education regarding predatory lending, borrowing, and related financial topics.
(B) The information required under divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section does not include information that, pursuant to section 1322.061 of the Revised Code, is privileged and confidential.
Sec. 4735.05.  (A) The Ohio real estate commission is a part of the department of commerce for administrative purposes. The director of commerce is ex officio the executive officer of the commission, or the director may designate any employee of the department as superintendent of real estate and professional licensing to act as executive officer of the commission.
The commission and the real estate appraiser board created pursuant to section 4763.02 of the Revised Code shall each submit to the director a list of three persons whom the commission and the board consider qualified to be superintendent within sixty days after the office of superintendent becomes vacant. The director shall appoint a superintendent from the lists submitted by the commission and the board, and the superintendent shall serve at the pleasure of the director.
(B) The superintendent, except as otherwise provided, shall do all of the following in regard to this chapter:
(1) Administer this chapter;
(2) Issue all orders necessary to implement this chapter;
(3) Investigate complaints concerning the violation of this chapter or the conduct of any licensee;
(4) Establish and maintain an investigation and audit section to investigate complaints and conduct inspections, audits, and other inquiries as in the judgment of the superintendent are appropriate to enforce this chapter. The investigators or auditors have the right to review and audit the business records of licensees and continuing education course providers during normal business hours.
(5) Appoint a hearing examiner for any proceeding involving disciplinary action under section 3123.47 or 4735.18 of the Revised Code;
(6) Administer the real estate recovery fund.
(C) The superintendent may do all of the following:
(1) In connection with investigations and audits under division (B) of this section, subpoena witnesses as provided in section 4735.04 of the Revised Code;
(2) Apply to the appropriate court to enjoin any violation of this chapter. Upon a showing by the superintendent that any person has violated or is about to violate any provision of this chapter, the court shall grant an injunction, restraining order, or other appropriate order.
(3) Upon the death of a licensed broker or the revocation or suspension of the broker's license, if there is no other licensed broker within the business entity of the broker, appoint upon application by any interested party, or, in the case of a deceased broker, subject to the approval by the appropriate probate court, recommend the appointment of, an ancillary trustee who is qualified as determined by the superintendent to conclude the business transactions of the deceased, revoked, or suspended broker;
(4) In conjunction with the enforcement of this chapter, when the superintendent of real estate has reasonable cause to believe that an applicant or licensee has committed a criminal offense, the superintendent of real estate may request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation to conduct a criminal records check of the applicant or licensee. The superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall obtain information from the federal bureau of investigation as part of the criminal records check of the applicant or licensee. The superintendent of real estate may assess the applicant or licensee a fee equal to the fee assessed for the criminal records check.
(D) All information that is obtained by investigators and auditors performing investigations or conducting inspections, audits, and other inquiries pursuant to division (B)(4) of this section, from licensees, complainants, or other persons, and all reports, documents, and other work products that arise from that information and that are prepared by the investigators, auditors, or other personnel of the department, shall be held in confidence by the superintendent, the investigators and auditors, and other personnel of the department. Notwithstanding division (D) of section 2317.023 of the Revised Code, all information obtained by investigators or auditors from an informal mediation meeting held pursuant to section 4735.051 of the Revised Code, including but not limited to the agreement to mediate and the accommodation agreement, shall be held in confidence by the superintendent, investigators, auditors, and other personnel of the department.
(E) This section does not prevent the division of real estate and professional licensing from releasing information relating to licensees to the superintendent of financial institutions for purposes relating to the administration of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, to the superintendent of insurance for purposes relating to the administration of Chapter 3953. of the Revised Code, to the attorney general, or to local law enforcement agencies and local prosecutors. Information released by the division pursuant to this section remains confidential.
Sec. 4763.03.  (A) In addition to any other duties imposed on the real estate appraiser board under this chapter, the board shall:
(1) Adopt rules, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, in furtherance of this chapter, including, but not limited to, all of the following:
(a) Defining, with respect to state-certified general real estate appraisers, state-certified residential real estate appraisers, and state-licensed residential real estate appraisers, the type of educational experience, appraisal experience, and other equivalent experience that satisfy the requirements of this chapter. The rules shall require that all appraisal experience performed after January 1, 1996, meet the uniform standards of professional practice established by the appraisal foundation.
(b) Establishing the examination specifications for state-certified general real estate appraisers, state-certified residential real estate appraisers, and state-licensed residential real estate appraisers;
(c) Relating to disciplinary proceedings conducted in accordance with section 4763.11 of the Revised Code, including rules governing the reinstatement of certificates, registrations, and licenses that have been suspended pursuant to those proceedings;
(d) Identifying any additional information to be included on the forms specified in division (C) of section 4763.12 of the Revised Code, provided that the rules shall not require any less information than is required in that division;
(e) Establishing the fees set forth in section 4763.09 of the Revised Code;
(f) Establishing the amount of the assessment required by division (A)(2) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code. The board annually shall determine the amount due from each applicant for an initial certificate, registration, and license in an amount that will maintain the real estate appraiser recovery fund at the level specified in division (A) of section 4763.16 of the Revised Code. The board may, if the fund falls below that amount, require current certificate holders, registrants, and licensees to pay an additional assessment.
(g) Defining, with respect to state-registered real estate appraiser assistants, the educational and experience requirements of division (C)(1)(d) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code;
(h) Establishing a real estate appraiser assistant program for the registration of real estate appraiser assistants.
(2) Provide or procure appropriate examination questions and answers for the examinations required by division (D) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code, and establish the criteria for successful completion of those examinations;
(3) Periodically review the standards for preparation and reporting of real estate appraisals provided in this chapter and adopt rules explaining and interpreting those standards;
(4) Hear appeals, pursuant to Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, from decisions and orders the superintendent of real estate issues pursuant to this chapter;
(5) Request the initiation by the superintendent of investigations of violations of this chapter or the rules adopted pursuant thereto, as the board determines appropriate;
(6) Determine the appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken against certificate holders, registrants, and licensees under this chapter as provided in section 4763.11 of the Revised Code.
(B) In addition to any other duties imposed on the superintendent of real estate under this chapter, the superintendent shall:
(1) Prescribe the form and content of all applications required by this chapter;
(2) Receive applications for certifications, registrations, and licenses and renewal thereof under this chapter and establish the procedures for processing, approving, and disapproving those applications;
(3) Retain records and all application materials submitted to the superintendent;
(4) Establish the time and place for conducting the examinations required by division (D) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code;
(5) Issue certificates, registrations, and licenses and maintain a register of the names and addresses of all persons issued a certificate, registration, or license under this chapter;
(6) Perform any other functions and duties, including the employment of staff, necessary to administer this chapter;
(7) Administer this chapter;
(8) Issue all orders necessary to implement this chapter;
(9) Investigate complaints, upon the superintendent's own motion or upon receipt of a complaint or upon a request of the board, concerning any violation of this chapter or the rules adopted pursuant thereto or the conduct of any person holding a certificate, registration, or license issued pursuant to this chapter;
(10) Establish and maintain an investigation and audit section to investigate complaints and conduct inspections, audits, and other inquiries as in the judgment of the superintendent are appropriate to enforce this chapter. The investigators and auditors have the right to review and audit the business records of certificate holders, registrants, and licensees during normal business hours. The superintendent may utilize the investigators and auditors employed pursuant to division (B)(4) of section 4735.05 of the Revised Code or currently licensed certificate holders or licensees to assist in performing the duties of this division.
(11) Appoint a referee or examiner for any proceeding involving the revocation or suspension of a certificate, registration, or license under section 3123.47 or 4763.11 of the Revised Code;
(12) Administer the real estate appraiser recovery fund;
(13) Conduct the examinations required by division (D) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code at least four times per year.
(C) The superintendent may do all of the following:
(1) In connection with investigations and audits under division (B) of this section, subpoena witnesses as provided in section 4763.04 of the Revised Code;
(2) Apply to the appropriate court to enjoin any violation of this chapter. Upon a showing by the superintendent that any person has violated or is about to violate this chapter, the court shall grant an injunction, restraining order, or other appropriate relief, or any combination thereof.
(D) All information that is obtained by investigators and auditors performing investigations or conducting inspections, audits, and other inquiries pursuant to division (B)(10) of this section, from certificate holders, registrants, licensees, complainants, or other persons, and all reports, documents, and other work products that arise from that information and that are prepared by the investigators, auditors, or other personnel of the department of commerce, shall be held in confidence by the superintendent, the investigators and auditors, and other personnel of the department.
(E) This section does not prevent the division of real estate and professional licensing from releasing information relating to certificate holders, registrants, and licensees to the superintendent of financial institutions for purposes relating to the administration of sections 1322.01 to 1322.12 of the Revised Code, to the superintendent of insurance for purposes relating to the administration of Chapter 3953. of the Revised Code, to the attorney general, or to local law enforcement agencies and local prosecutors. Information released by the division pursuant to this section remains confidential.
Sec. 4763.05. (A)(1)(a) A person shall make application for an initial state-certified general real estate appraiser certificate, an initial state-certified residential real estate appraiser certificate, an initial state-licensed residential real estate appraiser license, or an initial state-registered real estate appraiser assistant registration in writing to the superintendent of real estate on a form the superintendent prescribes. The application shall include the address of the applicant's principal place of business and all other addresses at which the applicant currently engages in the business of preparing real estate appraisals and the address of the applicant's current residence. The superintendent shall retain the applicant's current residence address in a separate record which shall not constitute a public record for purposes of section 149.03 of the Revised Code. The application shall indicate whether the applicant seeks certification as a general real estate appraiser or as a residential real estate appraiser, licensure as a residential real estate appraiser, or registration as a real estate appraiser assistant and be accompanied by the prescribed examination and certification, registration, or licensure fees set forth in section 4763.09 of the Revised Code. The application also shall include a fingerprint of the applicant; a pledge, signed by the applicant, that the applicant will comply with the standards set forth in this chapter; and a statement that the applicant understands the types of misconduct for which disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against the applicant pursuant to this chapter.
(b) Upon the filing of an application and payment of any examination and certification, registration, or licensure fees, the superintendent of real estate shall request the superintendent of the bureau of criminal identification and investigation, or a vendor approved by the bureau, to conduct a criminal records check based on the applicant's fingerprints in accordance with division (A)(11) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code. Notwithstanding division (J) of section 121.08 of the Revised Code, the superintendent of real estate shall request that criminal record information from the federal bureau of investigation be obtained as part of the criminal records check. Any fee required under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code shall be paid by the applicant.
(2) For purposes of providing funding for the real estate appraiser recovery fund established by section 4763.16 of the Revised Code, the real estate appraiser board shall levy an assessment against each person issued an initial certificate, registration, or license and against current licensees, registrants, and certificate holders, as required by board rule. The assessment is in addition to the application and examination fees for initial applicants required by division (A)(1) of this section and the renewal fees required for current certificate holders, registrants, and licensees. The superintendent of real estate shall deposit the assessment into the state treasury to the credit of the real estate appraiser recovery fund. The assessment for initial certificate holders, registrants, and licensees shall be paid prior to the issuance of a certificate, registration, or license, and for current certificate holders, registrants, and licensees, at the time of renewal.
(B) An applicant for an initial general real estate appraiser certificate shall possess at least thirty months of experience in real estate appraisal, or any equivalent experience the board prescribes. An applicant for a residential real estate appraiser certificate or residential real estate appraiser license shall possess at least two years of experience in real estate appraisal, or any equivalent experience the board prescribes. In addition to any other information required by the board, the applicant shall furnish, under oath, a detailed listing of the appraisal reports or file memoranda for each year for which experience is claimed and, upon request of the superintendent or the board, shall make available for examination a sample of the appraisal reports prepared by the applicant in the course of the applicant's practice.
(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, an applicant for an initial certificate, registration, or license shall be at least eighteen years of age, honest, truthful, and of good reputation and shall present satisfactory evidence to the superintendent of the following, as appropriate:
(a) If the applicant is seeking a state-certified general real estate appraiser certificate, that the applicant has successfully completed at least one hundred sixty-five classroom hours of courses in subjects related to real estate appraisal, including at least one course devoted exclusively to federal, state, and municipal fair housing law, presented by a nationally recognized appraisal organization, an institution of higher education, a career school registered by the state board of career colleges and schools, a state or federal commission or agency, or any other organization that represents the interests of financial institutions or real estate brokers, appraisers, or agents and that provides appraisal education, plus fifteen classroom hours related to standards of professional practice and the provisions of this chapter;
(b) If the applicant is seeking a state-certified residential real estate appraiser certificate, that the applicant has successfully completed at least one hundred five classroom hours of courses in subjects related to real estate appraisal, including at least one course devoted exclusively to federal, state, and municipal fair housing law, presented by a nationally recognized appraisal organization, an institution of higher education, a career school registered by the state board of career colleges and schools, or any other organization that represents the interests of financial institutions or real estate brokers, appraisers, or agents and that provides appraisal education, plus fifteen classroom hours related to standards of professional practice and the provisions of this chapter;
(c) If the applicant is seeking a state-licensed residential real estate appraiser license, that the applicant has successfully completed at least seventy-five classroom hours of courses in subjects related to real estate appraisal, including at least one course devoted exclusively to federal, state, and municipal fair housing law, presented by a nationally recognized appraisal organization, an institution of higher education, a career school registered by the state board of career colleges and schools, a state or federal commission or agency, or any other organization that represents the interests of financial institutions or real estate brokers, appraisers, or agents and that provides appraisal education, plus fifteen classroom hours related to standards of professional practice and the provisions of this chapter;
(d) If the applicant is seeking a state-registered real estate appraiser assistant registration, that the applicant has successfully completed at least seventy-five classroom hours of courses in subjects related to real estate appraisal, including at least one course devoted exclusively to federal, state, and municipal fair housing law, presented by a nationally recognized appraisal organization, an institution of higher education, a career school registered by the state board of career colleges and schools, or any other organization that represents the interests of financial institutions or real estate brokers, appraisers, or agents, and that provides appraisal education that included at least fifteen classroom hours of instruction related to standards of professional practice and the requirements of this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter.
(2) Each person who files an application for an initial certificate or license within one year of the date established by the board as the first date on which applications will be accepted under this section, which date shall be no later than September 1, 1990, and who, at the time of filing that application, does not satisfy the educational requirements for the certification or licensure sought of either division (C)(1)(a) or (b) of this section is exempt from those educational requirements for the term of the initial certification or licensure. In applying for a renewal certificate or license pursuant to section 4763.06 of the Revised Code, a certificate holder or licensee who was exempted from the educational requirements of division (C)(1)(a) or (b) of this section when applying for the initial certificate or license shall present satisfactory evidence to the superintendent that the certificate holder or licensee has completed the educational requirements for the certification or licensure to be renewed of one of those divisions before the renewal certificate or license may be issued.
(D) An applicant for an initial general real estate appraiser or residential real estate appraiser certificate or residential real estate appraiser license shall take and successfully complete a written examination in order to qualify for the certificate or license. The examination shall require the applicant to demonstrate all of the following:
(1) Appropriate knowledge of technical terms commonly used in or related to real estate appraising, appraisal report writing, and the economic concepts applicable to real estate;
(2) Understanding of the principles of land economics, real estate appraisal processes, and problems likely to be encountered in gathering, interpreting, and processing of data in carrying out appraisal disciplines;
(3) Understanding of the standards for the development and communication of real estate appraisals as provided in this chapter and the rules adopted thereunder;
(4) Knowledge of theories of depreciation, cost estimating, methods of capitalization, direct sales comparison, and the mathematics of real estate appraisal that are appropriate for the certification or licensure for which the applicant has applied;
(5) Knowledge of other principles and procedures as appropriate for the certification or license;
(6) Basic understanding of real estate law;
(7) Understanding of the types of misconduct for which disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against a certificate holder and licensee.
(E)(1) A nonresident, natural person of this state who has complied with this section may obtain a certificate, registration, or license. The board shall adopt rules relating to the certification, registration, and licensure of a nonresident applicant whose state of residence the board determines to have certification, registration, or licensure requirements that are substantially similar to those set forth in this chapter and the rules adopted thereunder.
(2) The board shall recognize on a temporary basis a certification or license issued in another state and shall register on a temporary basis an appraiser who is certified or licensed in another state if all of the following apply:
(a) The temporary registration is to perform an appraisal assignment that is part of a federally related transaction;.
(b) The appraiser's business in this state is of a temporary nature;.
(c) The appraiser registers with the board pursuant to this division.
An appraiser who is certified or licensed in another state shall register with the board for temporary practice before performing an appraisal assignment in this state in connection with a federally related transaction.
The board shall adopt rules relating to registration for the temporary recognition of certification and licensure of appraisers from another state. The registration for temporary recognition of certified or licensed appraisers from another state shall not authorize completion of more than one appraisal assignment in this state. The board shall not issue more than two registrations for temporary practice to any one applicant in any calendar year.
(3) In addition to any other information required to be submitted with the nonresident applicant's or appraiser's application for a certificate, registration, license, or temporary recognition of a certificate or license, each nonresident applicant or appraiser shall submit a statement consenting to the service of process upon the nonresident applicant or appraiser by means of delivering that process to the secretary of state if, in an action against the applicant, certificate holder, registrant, or licensee arising from the applicant's, certificate holder's, registrant's, or licensee's activities as a certificate holder, registrant, or licensee, the plaintiff, in the exercise of due diligence, cannot effect personal service upon the applicant, certificate holder, registrant, or licensee.
(F) The superintendent shall not issue a certificate, registration, or license to, or recognize on a temporary basis an appraiser from another state that is a corporation, partnership, or association. This prohibition shall not be construed to prevent a certificate holder or licensee from signing an appraisal report on behalf of a corporation, partnership, or association.
(G) Every person licensed, registered, or certified under this chapter shall notify the superintendent, on a form provided by the superintendent, of a change in the address of the licensee's, registrant's, or certificate holder's principal place of business or residence within thirty days of the change. If a licensee's, registrant's, or certificate holder's license, registration, or certificate is revoked or not renewed, the licensee, registrant, or certificate holder immediately shall return the annual and any renewal certificate, registration, or license to the superintendent.
(H)(1) The superintendent shall not issue a certificate, registration, or license to any person, or recognize on a temporary basis an appraiser from another state, who does not meet applicable minimum criteria for state certification, registration, or licensure prescribed by federal law or rule.
(2) The superintendent shall not issue a general real estate appraiser certificate, residential real estate appraiser certificate, residential real estate appraiser license, or real estate appraiser assistant registration to any person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense involving theft, receiving stolen property, embezzlement, forgery, fraud, passing bad checks, money laundering, or drug trafficking, or any criminal offense involving money or securities, including a violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that substantially is equivalent to such an offense. However, if the applicant has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of such an offense, the superintendent shall not consider the offense if the applicant has proven to the superintendent, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the applicant's activities and employment record since the conviction show that the applicant is honest, truthful, and of good reputation, and there is no basis in fact for believing that the applicant will commit such an offense again.
Sec. 4763.06.  (A) A person licensed, registered, or certified under this chapter may obtain a renewal certificate, registration, or license by filing a renewal application with and paying the renewal fee set forth in section 4763.09 of the Revised Code and any amount assessed pursuant to division (A)(2) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code to the superintendent of real estate. The renewal application shall include a statement, signed by the certificate holder, registrant, or licensee, that the certificate holder, registrant, or licensee has not, during the immediately preceding twelve-month period, been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any criminal offense described in division (H)(2) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code. The certificate holder, registrant, or licensee shall file the renewal application at least thirty days, but no earlier than one hundred twenty days, prior to expiration of the certificate holder's, registrant's, or licensee's current certificate, registration, or license. A certificate holder or licensee who applies for a renewal certificate or license who, pursuant to division (C)(2) of section 4763.05 of the Revised Code, was exempted from the educational requirements of division (C)(1) of that section during the term of the initial certificate or license, as a condition of renewal, also shall present satisfactory evidence of having completed the appropriate educational requirements of either division (C)(1)(a) or (b) of that section since the effective date of the initial certificate or license.
(B) A certificate holder, registrant, or licensee who fails to renew a certificate, registration, or license prior to its expiration is ineligible to obtain a renewal certificate, registration, or license and shall comply with section 4763.05 of the Revised Code in order to regain his certification or licensure, except that a certificate holder, registrant, or licensee may, within three months after the expiration of the certificate holder's, registrant's, or licensee's certificate, registration, or license, renew the certificate, registration, or license without having to comply with section 4763.05 of the Revised Code by payment of all fees for renewal and payment of the late filing fee set forth in section 4763.09 of the Revised Code. A certificate holder, registrant, or licensee who applies for late renewal of the certificate holder's, registrant's, or licensee's certificate, registration, or license may engage in all activities permitted by the certification, registration, or license being renewed for the three-month period following the certificate's, registration's, or license's normal expiration date.
Sec. 4763.12.  (A) A person licensed or certified under this chapter may be retained or employed to act as a disinterested third party in rendering an unbiased valuation or analysis of real estate or to provide specialized services to facilitate the client or employer's objectives. An appraisal or appraisal report rendered by a certificate holder or licensee shall comply with this chapter. A certified appraisal or certified appraisal report represents to the public that it satisfies the standards set forth in this chapter.
(B) No certificate holder or licensee shall accept a fee for an appraisal assignment that is contingent, in whole or in part, upon the reporting of a predetermined estimate, analysis, or opinion or upon the opinion, conclusion, or valuation reached, or upon consequences resulting from the appraisal assignment. A certificate holder or licensee who enters into an agreement to provide specialized services may charge a fixed fee or a fee that is contingent upon the results achieved by the specialized services, provided that this fact is clearly stated in each oral report rendered pursuant to the agreement, and the existence of the contingent fee arrangement is clearly stated in a prominent place on each written report and in each letter of transmittal and certification statement made by the certificate holder or licensee within that report.
(C) Every written report rendered by a certificate holder or licensee in conjunction with an appraisal assignment or specialized service performed shall include the following information:
(1) The name of the certificate holder or licensee;
(2) The class of certification or licensure held by and the certification or licensure number of the certificate holder or licensee;
(3) Whether the appraisal or specialized service is performed within the scope of the certificate holder's or licensee's certification or licensure;
(4) Whether the appraisal or specialized service is provided by a certificate holder or licensee as a disinterested and unbiased third party or as a person on an interested and biased basis or as an interested third party on a contingent fee basis;
(5) The signature of the person preparing and reporting the appraisal or specialized service.
If the certificate holder or licensee provides an oral real estate appraisal or specialized service, the certificate holder or licensee shall send, within seven days of providing the oral report, a form to the client containing the appropriate information specified in this division and the rules adopted pursuant thereto to this division.
(D) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as requiring a certificate holder or licensee to provide a client with a copy of any writing prepared in support of an oral appraisal report except as provided in division (C) of this section or as agreed to between the certificate holder or licensee and the certificate holder's or licensee's client.
(E) No person, directly or indirectly, shall knowingly compensate, instruct, induce, coerce, or intimidate, or attempt to compensate, instruct, induce, coerce, or intimidate, a certificate holder or licensee for the purpose of corrupting or improperly influencing the independent judgment of the certificate holder or licensee with respect to the value of the dwelling offered as security for repayment of a mortgage loan.
Sec. 4763.13.  (A) In engaging in appraisal activities, a person certified, registered, or licensed under this chapter shall comply with the applicable standards prescribed by the board of governors of the federal reserve system, the federal deposit insurance corporation, the comptroller of the currency, the office of thrift supervision, the national credit union administration, and the resolution trust corporation in connection with federally related transactions under the jurisdiction of the applicable agency or instrumentality. A certificate holder, registrant, and licensee also shall comply with the uniform standards of professional appraisal practice, as adopted by the appraisal standards board of the appraisal foundation and such other standards adopted by the real estate appraiser board, to the extent that those standards do not conflict with applicable federal standards in connection with a particular federally related transaction.
(B) The terms "state-licensed residential real estate appraiser," "state-certified residential real estate appraiser," "state-certified general real estate appraiser," and "state-registered real estate appraiser assistant" shall be used to refer only to those persons who have been issued the applicable certificate, registration, or license or renewal certificate, registration, or license pursuant to this chapter. None of these terms shall be used following or in connection with the name or signature of a partnership, corporation, or association or in a manner that could be interpreted as referring to a person other than the person to whom the certificate, registration, or license has been issued. No person shall fail to comply with this division.
(C) No person, other than a certificate holder, a registrant, or a licensee, shall assume or use a title, designation, or abbreviation that is likely to create the impression that the person possesses certification, registration, or licensure under this chapter, provided that professional designations containing the term "certified appraiser" and being used on or before July 26, 1989, shall not be construed as being misleading under this division. No person other than a person certified or licensed under this chapter shall describe or refer to an appraisal or other evaluation of real estate located in this state as being certified.
(D) The terms "state-certified or state-licensed real estate appraisal report," "state-certified or state-licensed appraisal report," or "state-certified or state-licensed appraisal" shall be used to refer only to those real estate appraisals conducted by a certificate holder or licensee as a disinterested and unbiased third party provided that the certificate holder or licensee provides certification with the appraisal and provided further that if a licensee is providing the appraisal, such terms shall only be used if the licensee is acting within the scope of the licensee's license. No person shall fail to comply with this division.
(E) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a partnership, corporation, or association which employs or retains the services of a certificate holder or licensee to advertise that the partnership, corporation, or association offers state-certified or state-licensed appraisals through a certificate holder or licensee if the advertisement clearly states such fact in accordance with guidelines for such advertisements established by rule of the real estate appraiser board.
(F) Nothing Except as otherwise provided in section 4763.19 of the Revised Code, nothing in this chapter shall preclude a person who is not licensed or certified under this chapter from appraising real estate for compensation.
Sec. 4763.19.  (A) Subject to division (B) of this section, no person shall perform a real estate appraisal for a mortgage loan if the person is not licensed or certified under this chapter to do the appraisal.
(B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to a lender using a market analysis or price opinion, an internal valuation analysis, or an automated valuation model or report based on an automated valuation model, and any person providing that report to the lender, in performing a valuation for purposes of a loan application, as long as the lender does both of the following:
(1) Gives the consumer loan applicant a copy of any written market analysis or price opinion or valuation report based on an automated valuation model;
(2) Includes a disclaimer on the consumer's copy specifying that the valuation used for purposes of the application was obtained from a market analysis or price opinion or automated valuation model report and not from a person licensed or certified under this chapter.
Sec. 4763.99. (A) Whoever violates division (B) of section 4763.12 or, division (B), (C), or (D) of section 4763.13, or section 4763.19 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.
(B) Whoever violates division (E) of section 4763.12 of the Revised Code is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.
Section 2. That existing sections 109.572, 1322.03, 1322.031, 1322.04, 1322.041, 1322.051, 1322.06, 1322.061, 1322.062, 1322.07, 1322.10, 1322.11, 1322.99, 1345.01, 1345.09, 1349.31, 4735.05, 4763.03, 4763.05, 4763.06, 4763.12, 4763.13, and 4763.99 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3.  Sections 4763.13 and 4763.19 of the Revised Code, as amended or enacted by this act, shall take effect six months after the effective date of this act.
Section 4. Section 109.572 of the Revised Code is presented in this act as a composite of the section as amended by both Am. Sub. H.B. 11 and Am. Sub. H.B. 117 of the 125th General Assembly and Am. Sub. H.B. 68 of the 126th General Assembly. The General Assembly, applying the principle stated in division (B) of section 1.52 of the Revised Code that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation, finds that the composite is the resulting version of the section in effect prior to the effective date of the section as presented in this act.
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