31-1-728. Injunctions -- receivers. (1) Whenever the department has reason to believe that a person is using, has used, or is about to knowingly use any method, act, or practice that violates any provision of this part or any rule adopted or order issued by the department pursuant to this part, the department, upon determining that proceeding would be in the public interest, may bring an action in the name of the state against the person to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction or temporary restraining order the use of the unlawful method, act, or practice.
     (2) The notice for an action pursuant to subsection (1) must state generally the relief sought and be served at least 20 days before the hearing of the action in which the relief sought is a temporary or permanent injunction. The notice for a temporary restraining order is governed by 27-19-315.
     (3) An action under this section may be brought in the district court in the county in which a person resides or has the person's principal place of business or in the district court of Lewis and Clark County if the person is not a resident of this state or does not maintain a place of business in this state.
     (4) A district court may issue temporary or permanent injunctions or temporary restraining orders to restrain and prevent violations of this part, and an injunction must be issued without bond to the department. If the department is successful in obtaining an injunction or restraining order under this section, the department is entitled to an award of reasonable attorney fees and costs.
     (5) In addition to all other means provided by law for the enforcement of a restraining order or injunction, the court in which the action is brought may impound and appoint a receiver for the property and business of the defendant, including books, papers, documents, or records pertaining to the property or business, or as much of the property or business as the court considers reasonably necessary to prevent violations of this part. The receiver, when appointed and qualified, has the powers and duties as to custody, collection, administration, winding up, and liquidation of the property and business that are conferred upon the receiver by the court.

     History: En. Sec. 15, Ch. 451, L. 2007.