Search by bureau for owner or lienholder; notice to owner or
lienholder
Sec. 20. Upon receipt of an abandoned vehicle report under
section 19 of this chapter, the bureau shall do the following:
(1) Conduct a reasonable search through the national
automobile theft bureau and the state police department to
determine whether the vehicle or parts have been reported as
stolen.
(2) Conduct a reasonable search of bureau records to determine
the person who owns the vehicle or parts or the person who
holds the lien of record.
(3) Except as provided in subdivision (4), if a reasonable search
discloses the name and address of the person who owns or holds
a lien on the vehicle, mail a written notice, by first class mail,
to:
(A) the person who owns the vehicle, with a copy to each
person who holds a lien on the vehicle if the bureau disposes
of the vehicle; or
(B) the public agency if the public agency disposes of the
vehicle;
indicating that the vehicle or parts have been impounded at a
certain location and must be removed within twenty (20) days
after the date of mailing of the notice and advising that the
vehicle or parts will be disposed of after that time. The notice
must advise the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle
that all costs incurred in removing and storing the vehicle or
parts are the person's legal responsibility.
(4) This subdivision applies only to a consolidated city or a
county containing a consolidated city. If a reasonable search
discloses the name and address of the person who owns or holds
a lien on the vehicle, the bureau shall mail a written notice, by
first class mail, to:
(A) the person who owns the vehicle, with a copy to each
person who holds a lien on the vehicle if the bureau disposes
of the vehicle; or
(B) the public agency if the public agency disposes of the
vehicle;
indicating that the vehicle or parts have been impounded at a
certain location and must be removed within fifteen (15) days
of the date of mailing of the notice and advising that the vehicle
or parts will be disposed of after that time. The notice must
advise the person who owns or holds a lien on the vehicle that
all costs incurred in removing and storing the vehicle or parts
are the person's legal responsibility.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.92-1997, SEC.4.
Last modified: May 27, 2006