To repeal section 381.412, RSMo Supp. 1996, relating to estate settlement agents, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the same subject.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:

     Section A. Section 381.412, RSMo Supp. 1996, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 381.412, to read as follows:

     381.412. 1. A settlement agent who accepts funds of more than ten thousand dollars, but less than two million dollars, for closing a sale of an interest in real estate shall require a buyer, seller or lender who is not a financial institution to convey such funds to the settlement agent as certified funds. The settlement agent shall record all security instruments for such real estate closing within three business days of such closing after receipt of such certified funds. A check:

     (1) Drawn on an escrow account of a licensed real estate broker, as regulated and described in section 339.105, RSMo;

     (2) Drawn on an escrow account of a title insurer or title insurance agency licensed to do business in Missouri; or

     (3) Drawn on an agency of the United States of America, the state of Missouri or any county or municipality of the state of Missouri; shall be exempt from the provisions of this section. In addition, any fees paid to a federal agency, payments for premiums for private mortgage insurance, and payments to satisfy an existing deed of trust shall be exempt from the provisions of this section.

     2. No title insurer, title insurance agency or title insurance agent, as defined in section 381.031, shall make any payment, disbursement or withdrawal in excess of ten thousand dollars from an escrow account which it maintains as a depository of funds received from [the public] any person, other than a financial institution, as defined in section 381.410, for the settlement of real estate transactions unless a corresponding deposit of funds was made to the escrow account for the benefit of the payee or payees at least ten days prior to such payment, disbursement or withdrawal, or where such corresponding deposit of funds consisted of certified funds.

     3. If the director finds that a settlement agent has violated any provisions of this section, the director may assess a fine of not more than two thousand dollars for each violation, plus the costs of the investigation. Each separate transaction where certified funds are required shall constitute a separate violation. In determining a fine, the director shall consider the extent to which the violation was a knowing and willful violation, the corrective action taken by the settlement agent to ensure that the violation will not be repeated, and the record of the settlement agent in complying with the provisions of this section.