IC 12-10-14
    Chapter 14. Representative Payees and Bill Payers

IC 12-10-14-1
"Bill payer" defined
    Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "bill payer" means a personappointed by the bureau under this chapter to provide one (1) ormore of the following services in order to assist a low incomeindividual who is able to make responsible decisions about financialmatters but needs assistance:
        (1) Paying bills each month and keeping records.
        (2) Establishing a budget.
        (3) Opening, organizing, and sending out mail.
        (4) Assisting the individual in check writing, with all checks tobe signed by the individual.
        (5) Balancing checkbooks.
        (6) Making referrals to other agencies when necessary.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-2
"Representative payee" defined
    Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "representative payee" means aperson appointed by the United States Social SecurityAdministration, the United States Office of Personnel Management,the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or the UnitedStates Railroad Retirement Board to provide one (1) or more of thefollowing financial management services in order to assist anindividual who is receiving government benefits and is medicallyincapable of making responsible financial decisions:
        (1) Spending benefits received by the individual in theindividual's best interests as necessary to provide for food,shelter, utilities, medical care, and personal needs.
        (2) Keeping an accurate record of all financial transactions.
        (3) Maintaining control over the individual's benefits andsigning all checks for the individual's expenditures.
        (4) Referring the individual to other agencies if the individualneeds additional assistance.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.24-1997,SEC.30.

IC 12-10-14-3
Establishment of program; eligibility
    Sec. 3. The division may establish, within the bureau, arepresentative payee and bill payer program to assist low incomeindividuals who:
        (1) are not able to manage their financial matters; and
        (2) do not have relatives or friends to assist them in managingtheir financial matters.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.
IC 12-10-14-4
Administration of program
    Sec. 4. The bureau may administer the program. The bureau mayprovide staff and logistical support for the program, including officespace, telephone communications, office supplies, and postage.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-5
Training
    Sec. 5. The bureau may provide for the training of representativepayees and bill payers.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-6
Repealed
    (Repealed by P.L.24-1997, SEC.66.)

IC 12-10-14-7
Assistance to representative payees and bill payers; bank services
    Sec. 7. The bureau may assist representative payees and billpayers and may negotiate bank services for the program.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-8
Public liaisons; spreading of information; referral of potentialclients
    Sec. 8. The bureau may designate volunteers, who may berepresentative payees or bill payers, as public liaisons to informinterested agencies and persons about the program and to undertaketo increase public awareness of the program and referral of potentialclients to the program.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-9
Fiduciary duties of representative payees and bill payers
    Sec. 9. A person acting as a representative payee or a bill payer isconsidered to be acting in a fiduciary capacity and is liable for actsor omissions constituting a breach of fiduciary duties imposed bylaw.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-10
Legal counsel
    Sec. 10. The bureau may enter into a memorandum ofunderstanding with legal counsel for an association that representsthe interests of retired persons to obtain assistance for therepresentative payee and bill payer program.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-11 Local programs; sponsors and coordinators; training, assistance,and monitoring by bureau
    Sec. 11. (a) The bureau may enter into memoranda ofunderstanding with local representative payee and bill payer programsponsors allowing local sponsors to administer a local representativepayee and bill payer program with the bureau assisting andmonitoring the local program sponsor.
    (b) The bureau may designate a local program sponsor with alocal coordinator to assist in the administration of a local program.A local program sponsor designated under this subsection must havea local advisory council.
    (c) The bureau may provide training and technical assistance tolocal coordinators and local program sponsors.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.

IC 12-10-14-12
Monitoring, audits, and review of accounts
    Sec. 12. The bureau may do any of the following:
        (1) Monitor:
            (A) representative payees and bill payers; and
            (B) local program sponsors.
        (2) Audit any transaction of a representative payee and billpayer.
        (3) Review bank statements and cancelled checks for accountsmanaged by representative payees.
As added by P.L.141-1993, SEC.1.