2152

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 778

(IV)   IN ITS NAME, PROSECUTION AND
MAINTENANCE OF ANY LEGAL AND EQUITABLE SUPPORT ACTIONS,
INCLUDING PATERNITY PROCEEDINGS, AVAILABLE UNDER STATE
LAW TO ESTABLISH EACH ABSENT PARENT'S LEGAL OBLIGATION
FOR CHILD SUPPORT;

(V)    COLLECTION OF CHILD SUPPORT
PAYMENTS;

(VI) UTILIZATION OF ESTABLISHED LEGAL
PROCESSES TO ENFORCE CHILD SUPPORT ORDERS;

(VII)  DISTRIBUTION OF CHILD SUPPORT
PAYMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW; AND

(VIII)       COOPERATION WITH OTHER
STATES IN ESTABLISHMENT AND ENFORCEMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT
OBLIGATIONS.

(3)    IF, IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE DIVISION,
COMPROMISE, SETTLEMENT, OR ADJUSTMENT OF A DELINQUENT
ACCOUNT OR DEBT WITHOUT SUIT WOULD PROMOTE OR SERVE THE
BEST INTERESTS OF THE STATE, THE DIVISION MAY ACCEPT IN
FULL SETTLEMENT OF THE ACCOUNT AN AMOUNT LESS THAN FULL
ARREARAGES.

(4)    THE DIVISION MAY ENTER INTO AGREEMENTS
FOR PROVISION OF CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES WITH PRIVATE AND
PUBLIC AGENCIES, INCLUDING LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES, COUNTY SOLICITORS, AND COURT OFFICIALS.

[[(C) THE CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES ENUMERATED UNDER
SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO
PERSONS OTHER THAN APPLICANTS FOR AND RECIPIENTS OF AID
TO FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT CHILDREN ON PAYMENT OF THE FEE
DETERMINED BY THE DIVISION. THE DIVISION MAY ACCEPT
ASSIGNMENT OF CHILD SUPPORT RIGHTS FROM THESE PERSONS.]]

[[(D) (1) SUBJECT TO PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, IN ANY CIVIL ACTION FOR CHILD SUPPORT
PAYMENTS BROUGHT UNDER THIS SECTION, THE DIVISION SHALL
BE REPRESENTED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR BY ANY LEGAL
OFFICER OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION WHO IS A
QUALIFIED ATTORNEY AND WHO IS APPOINTED BY AND SUBJECT TO
SUPERVISION AND REMOVAL BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

(2) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 16, §66C AND
ARTICLE 89C, §§14 (B), 18(A), AND 34, THE DIVISION OR A
PERSON WHOM THE DIVISION APPROVES FOR CHILD SUPPORT
SERVICES MAY BE REPRESENTED BY A STATE'S ATTORNEY FOR THE
LOCAL SUBDIVISION IN WHICH THE BILL OR PETITION IS FILED
IF, BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 1976 THE STATE'S ATTORNEY HAS
ELECTED IN WRITING TO ASSUME THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR
REPRESENTATION AND ENTERS INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE
COUNTY AND THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR
REPRESENTATION TO BE PROVIDED AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE
REPRESENTATION. THE AGREEMENT SHALL ESTABLISH REASONABLE
ADMINISTRATIVE AND FISCAL REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS FOR