Prohibiting demand for payment of tax certificate during year following purchase

# (A)

Without the prior written consent of the county treasurer, no person shall directly, through an agent, or otherwise, initiate contact with the owner of a parcel with respect to which the person holds a tax certificate to encourage or demand payment before one month has elapsed following the purchase of the certificate. This division does not apply if the certificate holder is a county land reutilization corporation.

# (B)

A county treasurer may bar any person who violates division (A) of this section from bidding at a tax certificate sale conducted by the treasurer.

# (C)

# (1)

The attorney general or county prosecuting attorney, upon written request of a county treasurer, shall bring an action for an injunction against any person who has violated, is violating, or is threatening to violate division (A) of this section.

# (2)

Any person who violates division (A) of this section shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each offense to be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund. Upon written request of a county treasurer, the attorney general or county prosecuting attorney shall commence an action against any such violator. Any action under this division is a civil action, governed by the Rules of Civil Procedure and other rules of practice and procedure applicable to civil actions.