§6203-B. Escrow account
1.
Deposit of funds.
When funds are required to be deposited in an escrow account pursuant to section 6203, the following apply.
A.
The escrow account must be established in a bank or trust company authorized to do business in this State within the meaning of Title 9‑B, section 131, subsection 2 and acceptable to the superintendent. The funds deposited in the escrow account must be kept and maintained in an account separate from the provider's business accounts.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
B.
An escrow agreement must be entered into between the bank or trust company and the provider of the facility. The agreement must state that its purpose is to protect the subscriber or the prospective subscriber. Upon presentation of evidence to the superintendent of compliance with applicable portions of this chapter, or upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction, the escrow agent shall release and pay over the funds or portions of the funds together with any interest accrued on the funds or earned from investment of the funds to the provider or subscriber as directed.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
C.
When funds are received from a prospective subscriber, the provider shall deliver to the subscriber a copy of the executed deposit agreement. The deposit agreement must state the payor's name and address, the date, the price of the care agreement and the amount of money paid. A copy of each agreement together with the funds must be deposited with the escrow agent.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
D.
Checks, drafts and money orders for deposit from prospective subscribers may be made payable only to the escrow agent. At the request of a prospective subscriber of a facility, the escrow agent shall issue a statement indicating the status of the subscriber's portion of the escrow account.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
E.
All funds deposited in the escrow account remain the property of the subscriber until released to the provider in accordance with this chapter. The funds are not subject to any liens or charges by the escrow agent or judgments, garnishments or creditor's claims against the provider or facility.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
F.
At the request of either the provider or the superintendent, the escrow agent shall issue a statement indicating the status of an escrow account.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
G.
Upon determining that the requirements of section 6203, subsection 3, paragraph E have been met, the superintendent shall authorize the escrow agent to release, and the escrow agent shall release, to the provider the amount of escrowed funds received from prospective subscribers and deposited in the account while the provider was operating under a preliminary certificate of authority.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
2.
Agreement.
Any agreement establishing an escrow account required under the provisions of this chapter is subject to approval by the superintendent. The agreement must be in writing and contain, in addition to any other provisions required by law, a provision by which the escrow agent agrees to abide by the duties imposed under this section.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
3.
Monthly statement; withdrawal of funds.
The agreement must require the escrow agent to furnish the provider with a monthly statement indicating the amount of any disbursements from or deposits to the escrow account and the condition of the account during the monthly period covered by the statement. On or before the 20th day of the month following the month for which the monthly statement is due, the provider shall file with the superintendent a copy of the escrow agent's monthly statement.
The escrow agent or the escrow agent's designee and the provider shall notify the superintendent in writing 10 days before the payment to the provider of any portion of any funds required to be escrowed under the provisions of this chapter.
[PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1995, c. 452, §21 (NEW).