Current through the 2024 Fourth Special Session
Section 13-45-401 - Enforcement - Confidentiality agreement - Penalties(1) The attorney general may enforce the provisions of this chapter.(2) A person who violates a provision of this chapter is subject to a civil fine of: (a) no greater than $2,500 for a violation or series of violations concerning a specific consumer; and(b) no greater than $100,000 in the aggregate for related violations concerning more than one consumer, unless: (i) the violations concern: (A) 10,000 or more consumers who are residents of the state; and(B) 10,000 or more consumers who are residents of other states; or(ii) the person agrees to settle for a greater amount.(3)(a) In addition to the penalties provided in Subsection (2), the attorney general may seek, in an action brought under this chapter: (i) injunctive relief to prevent future violations of this chapter; and(ii) attorney fees and costs.(b) Notwithstanding Title 78B, Chapter 3a, Venue for Civil Actions, if the attorney general brings an action under this chapter in the district court, the attorney general shall bring the action in:(ii) the county in which resides a consumer who is the subject of a credit report on which a violation occurs.(4) The attorney general shall deposit any amount received under Subsection (2) or (3) into the Attorney General Litigation Fund created in Section 76-10-3114.(5)(a) If the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe that an individual is in possession, custody, or control of information that is relevant to enforcing this chapter, the attorney general may enter into a confidentiality agreement with the individual.(b) In a civil action brought under this chapter, a court may issue a confidentiality order that incorporates the confidentiality agreement described in Subsection (5)(a).(c) A confidentiality agreement entered into under Subsection (5)(a) or a confidentiality order issued under Subsection (5)(b) may:(ii) address testimony taken, a document produced, or material produced under this section;(iii) provide whom may access testimony taken, a document produced, or material produced under this section;(iv) provide for safeguarding testimony taken, a document produced, or material produced under this section; or(v) require that the attorney general:(A) return a document or material to an individual; or(B) notwithstanding Section 63A-12-105 or a retention schedule created in accordance with Section 63G-2-604, destroy the document or material at a designated time.(6)(a) Subject to Subsection (6)(c), the attorney general shall keep confidential a procedure agreed to, testimony taken, a document produced, or material produced under this section pursuant to a subpoena, confidentiality agreement, or confidentiality order, unless the individual who agreed to the procedure, provided testimony, or produced the document or material waives confidentiality in writing.(b) Subject to Subsections (6)(c) and (6)(d), the attorney general may use, in an enforcement action taken under this section, testimony taken, a document produced, or material produced under this section to the extent the use is not restricted or prohibited by a confidentiality agreement or a confidentiality order.(c) The attorney general may use, in an enforcement action taken under this section, testimony taken, a document produced, or material produced under this section that is restricted or prohibited from use by a confidentiality agreement or a confidentiality order if the individual who provided testimony, produced the document, or produced the material waives the restriction or prohibition in writing.(d) The attorney general may disclose testimony taken, a document produced, or material produced under this section, without consent of the individual who provided the testimony, produced the document, or produced the material, or without the consent of an individual being investigated, to:(ii) a federal or state law enforcement officer, if the person from whom the information was obtained is notified 20 days or greater before the day on which the information is disclosed, and the federal or state law enforcement officer certifies that the federal or state law enforcement officer will: (A) maintain the confidentiality of the testimony, document, or material; and(B) use the testimony, document, or material solely for an official law enforcement purpose.(7) A civil action filed under this chapter shall be commenced no later than five years after the day on which the alleged violation last occurred.Amended by Chapter 158, 2024 General Session ,§ 16, eff. 7/1/2024.Amended by Chapter 348, 2019 General Session ,§ 6, eff. 5/14/2019.Amended by Chapter 308, 2017 General Session ,§ 2, eff. 5/9/2017.Amended by Chapter 191, 2015 General Session ,§ 4, eff. 1/1/2016.Enacted by Chapter 344, 2006 General Session