45-13-403 - Payments to contractor from proceeds of mortgage loan for home improvement.
45-13-403. Payments to contractor from proceeds of mortgage loan for home improvement.
(a) A licensed mortgage lender or mortgage loan broker shall not make any payments to a contractor or home improvement contractor from proceeds of a mortgage loan for home improvement other than:
(1) In the form of an instrument that is payable to the borrower or jointly to the borrower and the contractor or home improvement contractor; or
(2) At the election of the borrower by a third-party escrow agent in accordance with terms established in a written agreement signed by the borrower, the licensee and the contractor or home improvement contractor prior to the date of payment.
(b) A licensed mortgage lender or mortgage loan broker shall not permit a contractor or home improvement contractor to be a cosigner or to act as a guarantor for a mortgage loan for home improvement.
(c) As used in this section, mortgage loan for home improvement means a consumer credit mortgage loan transaction involving property located within this state regardless of the amount of the loan.
(d) The commissioner is authorized to impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each violation of this section after notice and opportunity for a hearing.
[Acts 2009, ch. 499, § 8.]